By Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer
Valene Byrd often refers to her son, Mateo, as an “art savant.”
Just 10 years old, Mateo has crafted intricate clay figures of one of his favorite animated characters, “Bluey,” developed his own comic book-style drawings, and constructed complex Lego creations, including a 1,000-piece pirate ship.
Byrd didn’t realize her son had such talent until the COVID-19 pandemic when they were stuck at home wondering what to do with their time. She noticed Mateo drawing on her walls.
“He started with simple doodles, and I watched as they transformed into something extraordinary,” she recalls. What began as scattered marks gradually evolved into detailed characters.
“I realized this wasn’t just drawing,” Byrd says. “This was communication.”
At 2 years old, after losing 60% of his hearing, Mateo was diagnosed with autism.
“I was sad in the beginning,” Byrd admits. “It was a grieving process – grieving the life I thought we were going to have.”
But her grief turned into fierce advocacy for Mateo when she realized that part of the world had already written him off, claiming to know his destiny. She remembered a social worker remarking that he, at best, was destined for a career in a coffee shop.
“That comment became my challenge,” Byrd says. “I decided I was going to create the most spectacular human being you have ever seen in your life.”
She nurtured Mateo with intense care and attention, seeking out every resource and opportunity to support his growth and development. And when his artistic talent began to shine at just 5 years old, she founded ART-TISM, an organization dedicated to celebrating and supporting children on the autism spectrum through creative expression.
As April marks Autism Awareness Month, national statistics paint a compelling picture. Data from 2020 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that approximately 1-in-36 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, with boys being four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. Each year this data has been aggregated, the number has risen.
“These aren’t just numbers, these are people who deserve safe spaces, understanding, and opportunities to express themselves,” Byrd says.
Since 2021, Byrd has used ART-TISM to celebrate Autism Awareness Month by holding an art exhibit. Highlighting not only Mateo’s creativity but that of other Sacramento children on the spectrum. The first ART-TISM exhibit featured 15 children on the spectrum, showcasing a range of artistic expressions – from paintings and photography to 3-D paper crafts.
This year marks the fourth annual ART-TISM exhibit, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at Luther Burbank High School. The exhibit features four color-coded interactive stations designed to accommodate various sensory needs and artistic interests. There’s Play-Doh Bill (yellow), Legoland (green), Color Me Blue (arts and crafts), and Paint the Town Red (self-portrait and rock painting station).
“Traditional spaces often make neurodivergent individuals feel uncomfortable. We’re changing that narrative,” Byrd says.
Beyond the art exhibit, ART-TISM collaborates with several community organizations, including the Sacramento City Unified School District and various festivals. Its summer workshops provide families with opportunities to create together, breaking down traditional methods of communication and connection with their children who are on the spectrum.
Looking forward, Byrd’s goals for Mateo, and by extension, all children on the spectrum, remain ambitious.
“I want him to be independent, to go to college, to have relationships, to contribute to society,” she says. “I want all the things everybody else wants for their kid.”