Community-Based Youth Substance Use Prevention

For the first time, students attending Educational Service District 112’s Florens Academy therapeutic programs had their artwork showcased beyond classroom walls at the Therapeutic Programs Student Art Show on April 30.

Florens Academy empowers students who experience severe cognitive, communication, and behavioral challenges to achieve greater independence. As a therapeutic day program, Florens provides behavioral support for students who experience significant developmental delays, offering more than traditional life skills classrooms.

Twenty-three students, from Kindergarten through age 22, contributed to the show. All classrooms participated.

“Unlike a more traditional art show where students might complete a shared assignment or standardized project, our artwork reflects highly individualized expression,” shared Florens Academy Program Director, Ashley Bloodworth. “Students engage in the creative process in ways that honor their communication styles, sensory needs, and emotional regulation. The result is a collection that feels deeply personal and authentic to each learner, while still sharing the common thread of creativity and expression.”

The show coincided with Autism Appreciation Month in April, a fitting backdrop for an exhibition that centered on neurodivergence and individualized expression. Read more in the ESD Newsroom: https://www.esd112.org/news/florens-academy-student-artwork-takes-center-stage-at-esd-112/