The Achievement Center of Texas, a day care facility for children and young adults with disabilities, provides various services including arts exploration, life skills training, educational assistance and community inclusion for special needs individuals.
One part of the arts exploration program, and one of the students’ favorite activities, is the annual Special Arts Festival because they get an opportunity to share their special talents with the community. Some paint, draw or create other types of visual arts while others dance, sing or play a musical instrument.
There were nearly 100 performances/activities to engage the crowd at the 2015 festival, which was held at Spring Creek Community Church Saturday, May 2. While many exhibited paintings or art created through other mediums, others entertained visitors with music and dance.
John Bramblitt, renowned artist and author from Denton, attends the festival each year. Bramblitt is an inspiration to the students with disabilities as he became a successful artist after losing his sight.
The accomplishments reached by the children and young adults as a result of ACT’s programs, activities and services are varied and numerous. The young people learn social skills, make friends and develop independence, communication skills and self-confidence. Additionally, parents are comfortable leaving their special needs students at ACT for the day which gives them the opportunity to work.
The facility includes a library/computer room with the latest in technology as well as a life skills lab that includes equipment that teaches the young adults to use laundry equipment, a microwave, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner. They also learn skills such as how to fold clothes and make a bed. The independence gained by the students through learning these skills is immeasurably important to the students’ self-confidence.
The center also houses a sensory integration room furnished with both electronic and manual equipment that helps students overcome sensory integration deficiencies.
The newest, and most exciting technology at ACT to date, is a humanoid robot named Milo who uses the Robots4Autism curriculum to help children with autism learn appropriate social behavior and how to interact with others. Additionally, Milo helps students recognize and understand emotions and expressions The curriculum was developed by autism experts and is an effective tool for educators, therapists and parents.
The robot moves, talks and listens and his face expresses human emotions. He can see people and their facial expressions and movements, recognize speech, interact conversationally, and more. Results show that students who work and learn with Milo show an increase in eye contact and friendliness.