Artist Jose Antonio Tan who grew up with autism plans to donate part of the proceeds of his painting exhibition to a local autism center as a way of “sharing” his blessings.

The 24-year-old artist and his family are donating 150,000 pesos (US$3,300) to the Autism Resource Center of Los Banos in Laguna province near Manila.

The center was founded by a parents’ group to help young adult and adolescent autism sufferers develop their skills.

The artist also “would like to make a difference to the world of autism even in a small way,” said Jose Antonio’s mother, Zelie Tan.

During the two-week solo exhibition at Ayala Museum, Makati City, which ends Aug. 4, he hopes to help “take away the fear of autism, and make people realize that there’s nothing to fear,” she said.

Jose Antonio was born and raised in Manila.

“At age two he wasn’t talking. He would only wear a particular kind of overalls. I knew there was a problem,” said Zelie.

Just before he turned three, he was diagnosed as a “high functioning child with autism.”

He started painting about two years later and people’s praise encouraged him. His family later sent him to study fine arts at the prestigious Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada.

Zelie, 59, considers his graduation last May among the blessings that have helped the family live with the disorder.

“To help your child with autism you must give him a loving, accepting environment,” she said.

“Lord help me help him become what you want him to be” is the prayer she prays each night, she said.

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