Renaissance Woman: a woman who has many skills or knows about a lot of things
Neurodiversity: the differences in ways people’s brains work
Infinity Symbol: the figure eight on its side. Used to show neurodiversity
EMT: Emergency Medical Technician. They have training to give basic emergency medical care before and while taking people to the hospital in an ambulance
Airborne Pathogen: any sickness passed from one person to another through the respiratory droplets in the air
Immunocompromised: when someone has less ability to fight infections and diseases
Went to town: to do something with a lot of energy and enjoyment
UK: The United Kingdom which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Pictorial: shown or explained in pictures
Keen Observation: noticing and talking about interesting or unique things about people or things around you
Amoeba: a living thing that only has one cell (the main thing that living things are made of) and can change its shape
Life Science: science that deals with living things and the basic things they do to keep living
Earth Science: science that deals with what the earth is made of, its air, weather, seas, oceans, and the space around it
Decoupage: a craft where you glue paper, fabric or other things to something to make it look painted or like the things you glued them to
Mod Podge: the glue used for decoupage
Repurpose: use something in a different way
Tea Light: a small round candle used for decoration
Interlude: a break
Disclaimer: a statement where a person says they did not know something or are not responsible for something
Aspect: a particular part of something
Tangible: something you can touch
Anecdote: a short story about something that really happened or real people
Utilize: use
Expo: a short way of saying exhibition. An exhibition is a collection of things for people to see in public
Alumni: someone who graduated from or attended a particular school, college, university, or program
Awardee: someone who is awarded something such as a prize or payment
Literally: really
Figuratively: something symbolic; not really
Perspective: someone’s attitude or way of thinking about things
Impeccable: doing something perfectly
Serendipity: things that happen by chance in a happy or good way
Get Behind: to support someone or something
On the Spectrum: a way of describing someone who has autism spectrum disorder
Verbal: using words
Nonverbal: not using words
Hindsight: understanding something about an event after it happens
Anew: in a new, different, more positive way
Incorporate: include
Consumer: a person who uses something
Aspirations: the hope someone has for doing something
Recreation Centers: a public building for meetings, sports, and other activities for people of all ages
Precipitous: sudden or unexpected
Ingenuity: skill in creating
Dynamic: something that affects growth, change, action between people, or activity
Hand in hand: two things that go together or are connected
Dark Room: a room with no light or with a safelight for developing photos
Gun Shy: nervous
Dimension: a particular part of something
Catch Your Fancy: find something interesting
Murals: a painting or other art done right on a wall
Overcast: when the sky is covered with gray clouds
Scout: in this case, look for a wall that a mural can be painted on
Viable: in this case, a wall that a mural can be painted on
Sketched My Brains Out: drew a lot
Artistic Contribution: the art someone creates
Energized: showing great activity
Enthused: excited
Uniform: the same
Good Omen: something that happens that is believed to be a sign of something good that will happen in the future
Covered a Lot of Ground: talked about a lot of things
Vibrance: full of energy and life
Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia
Mural Arts Tacony Lab Community Art Center
Liberty Resources on Google Maps
Roberts Center Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Joe J. Roach is the artist that Colleen talked about who was chosen to do art for the Philadelphia Eagles as part of a first-of-its-kind art gallery to support autism research and inclusion. Joe has also been the "Art of State" Award Artists 2022, 2023, 2024 in the state of Pennsylvania. Hi is being coached on public speaking by a 5x best selling author and award winning speaker to share his story. He is from Lancaster County, PA.
Neurodiversity Employment Network
CAPS (Community Autism Peer Specialist)
MTV (Mentoring Transitioning Voices)
SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority)
PATH (People Acting to Help)
CBH (Community Behavioral Health)
DBHIDS (Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services)
Website (In the podcast, Colleen mentions that the website is ww.aaco.org but it is www.aaco.org).
Instagram @aacophilly
Facebook (In the podcast, Colleen mentions that the website is www.facebook.com\aacophilly, but it is www.facebook.com/aacophilly)
You can hear Colleen talk about and read her book on YouTube
If you are interested in Colleen’s book, you can reach out to her at her email above.
The art Colleen talks about at 6:26
The art Colleen talks about at 7:20 on the cover of the first issue of Neurospicey Magazine
Northeast Times Article about The Autistic Art Coalition Philadelphia
"I received a Citation Award from City Council Woman Cindy Bass.This came from Sister Taleaha - Exec. Director of The City of Dreams Coalition of Philadelphia in May 2024."
Image Description: Colleen’s Citation Award. The Citation reads: “City Council PHILADELPHIA Honoring Colleen R. Ott President of AACOPHILLY The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to recognize and honor Colleen R. Ott for exemplary service to the community while partnering with the City of Dreams Coalition.
Whereas, Colleen R. Ott is the Autistic Founder & Executive Director of The Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia. She had a dream of bringing people together in the name of Autism Acceptance, Neuroinclusion & Neurodiversity during the Pandemic.
Whereas, Colleen also has produced music albums that has been listened to worldwide, and is an author of an original book and a revised edition about being on the Autistic Spectrum.
Whereas, The Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia has had two Art Exhibitions, one in June last year and another in February 2024, the Largest-Autistic Pop-Up (One Day ONLY) Art Exhibition with the help of Sensory Friendly Cities and The Center for Autism & Pediatric Research.
Therefore, By virtue of this Citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby honors Colleen R. Ott and her impact on the community. We in this Council extend the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.”
The citation is dated May 11 2024 and signed by CINDY BASS Councilmember, 8th District, and includes the seal of the city of Philadelphia at the bottom. The right page of the Citation is a painting of the City Hall of Philadelphia, painted by Noel G. Miles A.W.S.
Mural Update
"As for the update on the Mural project, I have had a meeting with the person who owns the building and is the CEO of PATH, Inc. During this meeting, I took a representative from Mural Arts Philadelphia's Tacony LAB Community Arts Center, as well as the Executive Director to Neurodiversity Employment Network - with a letter of support from Jane Golden herself from Mural Art Philadelphia. Right now there's a lot of red tape, a conversation to be had with the business behind the building with the wall. And we have to do fundraising because Mural art doesn't have the money at the moment, but we have a whole bunch of community partners, so I will be putting together a committee of community partners and other individuals who are already on the project to see about getting this done. It's going to take some time. "
Music under Colleen R. Ott on Spotify
Music under Colleen R. Ott on Apple Music
Music Under DJ CC on Apple Music
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