When I take Curtis out to do chalk I generally pick a place that's non-crowded but where his work will eventually be seen. The back of a school, an open area inside a park early in the morning, but anywhere that doesn't involve moving traffic or a gazebo will work. Today Curtis did these roads at the entrance to a public playground presenting more foot traffic than he's used to while he works. I rigged the setting so I could watch a baseball game on an adjacent field. I've watched the scene unfold many times where people politely pass by as he starts, but end up fixated after he's been given some time to start fleshing out his drawing.
      When Curtis "does roads" he generally shuts out the outside world. The main reason it's easier to pick a non-crowded place is because Curtis typically won't respond to inquiries about what he's drawing while it's in progress. My favorite reaction today was a girl about 10 years old who just stood there with her mouth open for a minute as me and Curtis exchanged smiles. She never said anything. It's difficult at first for people to interpret what they are viewing at first, especially other kids.
      The first thing most adults do when they see the roads is ask me or Curtis if he had help. Then they look at it when we say no and it's fairly obvious only one person worked on it. Sometimes Curtis will explain it's the Maine Turnpike. Other times it's 1-95, to 495, to I-90, to I-84. Some kids tug at their parents to look at what Curt's doing and they either look or don't, but the kids almost always stare in amazement or curiosity. Another common reaction is "Oh, so  YOU'RE the one who does these!" Many others take in the drawing smiling for a while and just wish Curtis a good day. Once Curtis starts getting compliments on his art, he expects them from everyone. Should someone look at his work and not comment, he typically looks at me and says, "Well, I guess no compliments that time". He has to be reminded that he does not need a 100% public approval rate.
      Curtis is not especially aware of the passing time while he works, which is really the most impressive piece of it to me. These are "projects" that if you assigned them to a typically developing child, I imagine they would likely abandon the work in a matter of minutes. With Curtis, there is usually not enough chalk or time to complete the picture in his head. I am careful not to let it go on for too long, but I see nothing wrong with the temporary relaxing escape this sidewalk chalk affords to him. He breaks only to go to the bathroom or request water or Capri Sun. Then he always emerges refreshed, relaxed, and ready to eat, run, or move on to something else. It's therapeutic for him and visually impressive for the rest of us. He also gets asked a lot if he will be an engineer or architect to which he always replies, "No, I'm an artist."

**more pics from today on his autism artwork page

Greg, Dad