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Loving Dad Starts Documenting Unique Habits Of His Autistic Son, And It Changes Their Lives
Loving father and photographer Thimothy Archibald started capturing his autistic child's unique habits on camera as a way of dealing with his son's diagnosis. But, what was supposed to be a simple documentation, turned out to be much more. Not only did he learn more about his son's unique world, but the father-son photo project brought them closer together. Thimothy, as a pro photographer, had to learn to stop trying to control situations by letting his son take the lead.
The then 5-year-old autistic boy named Elijah was obsessed with mechanical objects, had a need for repetition and was socially withdrawn. Each shot that his father took reflects both Elija's unique habits and his interaction with the world around him. "I never wanted [Eli] to think that he was normal. I wanted him to be aware of how different he was and see that as an asset," Archibald said.
The whole photo series has been turned into a book titled 'Echolilia'. You can purchase it through Archibald's website.
More info: timothyarchibald.com | echolilia.com (h/t: mymodernmet)
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Diana CrunChewy Watson 9 years ago
I used to do this as a kid, too. I'm not on the Autism spectrum.
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Jolyn Zimmer 9 years ago
A unique view of the world. Bet he sees something different in each and every square
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Suzie Duffin 9 years ago
That's one beautiful shot the calmness and natural comfort with nature-
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Rita Mandado 9 years ago
My son who turns 32 at the end of the month sleeps like this ...I always want to put my arms around him and tell him it will be ok
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Joanne Palmer 9 years ago
Very raw emotional photos, You captured the isolation but yet your son's connection with nature shines through at the same time <3
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Ingo de Haan 9 years ago
My girl who is also autistic, paints my nails and does make up and my hair. Love it,, but I sometimes forget I have it on me so I go grocery shopping with 20 pins/clips in my hair. I'm a 40 year old man, and my wife doesn't warn me before I leave the house.
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Melody Lanzatella 9 years ago
My 15 yr old son is autistic. Every autistic person finds their own way to interact with and cope with the world. I wish I could be my son for even one day, so I could better understand how he perceives the world. I know it is a constant struggle for him, but I dont know why. He can speak, but cannot put into words how he feels. I STILL search for the way that I might be able to help to ease his burden, but each time I have tried, I only make things worse or frustrate him. Thank you for sharing these very personal moments with us.
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Cara Jimenez (Thron) 9 years ago
This may not be, but I feel like he is uncomfortable with the overcast. I'm very sensory, and overcast is unbearable.
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Tara Allhands 9 years ago
My nephew has played with tools since he was 2. He's now 6, and was recently diagnosed as high functioning autistic. Tools are his love language. :)
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Ian Osmond 9 years ago
To me, one of the interesting things is that I've done all of those at least a couple times when I was a kid. I presume that Elijah does it a lot more, but it makes the point that autism can be part of the normal human variation -- sure, pretty far off on one end of the bell curve, definitely different than most of us, but still within the normal range of human experience.
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What do you think ?
Joanne Palmer 9 years ago
Amazingly emotional & sweet! a real insight into his world of isolation.
Janice Foster 9 years ago
Very powerful. Father and son are equally as lucky to have each other
Joanne Palmer 9 years ago
Amazingly emotional & sweet! a real insight into his world of isolation.
Janice Foster 9 years ago
Very powerful. Father and son are equally as lucky to have each other
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