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Local teen with autism displays ArtPrize entry at the airport

Autism could not stop Matthew's creativity.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — When Matthew Howing was a young boy, he didn't talk much.

"When he was first diagnosed at the age of 3, most of his issues were verbal. It is a spectrum; there is no one the same who has autism," says Matthew's Father Tom Howing.

But autism could not stop Matthew's creativity.

"But as he got older around 10 or 11, he started drawing more and more," says Howing.

Matthew now spends hours each day with his sketch pad.

"He probably has a collection of 500 or 600 drawings," says Howing.

That creativity has now reached a pinnacle with a 7-foot ArtPrize entry featuring a colorful collection of Matthew's work.

The display is called "Matthew's View."

"He sees the world in a different way and he likes to present that in his art," says Howing.

His Dad says the reaction and support have been overwhelmingly positive. Some local schools are even hoping to display the piece after ArtPrize.

"To see everyone coming together and say 'Matthew, wow what a fantastic job you did,' it's given him so much more confidence. He goes up and talks to people now, which he never would of done before," says Howing.

Matthew's View is currently on display at Ford Airport.

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