Critics of the Tendency of Art Education for Autistic Children in Indonesia

Abstract

This paper parses the problem that art education for autistic children in Indonesia is only a compliment. Furthermore, it invites us to explore the nature and essence of art education as a solution again. Art education, which offers the concept of play, actually becomes "mathematical" learning and removes the essence of creative freedom from art education itself. The teacher does not understand the nature and essence of art education, which causes a shift towards the objectification of autistic children as students. This is due to the fact that the paradigm of art education for children with autism in Indonesia is still a discourse. Thus, the intimacy between teacher and student is no longer visible. Therefore, this paper argues about the need to take specific steps towards understanding art education by art teachers, prospective art teacher-students, and parents. It aims to restore the essence and essence of fine arts education as a medium of expression that can help children with autism in expression, taste processing, creative power, and communication skills.