An autistic artist needs help and is telling his story.
Nico Smith is looking for a chance to succeed working in art and animation. He is autistic and refuses to let that stop him from achieving his dream.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from the Art Institute in Sacramento. Despite his talent, his disability in keeping up with face-paced conversation and needing time to absorb the information before responding with articulate answers has held him back from performing well in interviews.
Like many autistic adults, Nico has experienced a lifetime of disappointments. That inspired much of his art and animation. He is hardworking and determined to find a path to work at his passion.
Nico is underemployed. We are posting his story today, so others within the autism community and the neurotypical public will understand he will overcome his challenges, see his skill, and contact him.
name is Dominic Smith, Nico for short, and I was diagnosed with autism at age three and have type one diabetes.
I have some communication challenges, and it has caused rejection and many difficulties during my entire life. However, I have talent and a dream I wish to share and hopefully find some support. This is my story.
I learned to read, count, and write as a toddler, thanks to old Disney movie opening credits.
In high school, I learned to handle bullies by playing with them and having a wacky sense of humor. I wrote my perceived enemies’ names on the detention list, pushed them into the girls’ bathroom the way they did to me, and we all learned to a great time together. I was popular for having artistic talent, shared mutual interests, and was invited to parties. Those were the best years of my life.
When I entered the Art Institute College to study animation, I had a hard time making friends and finding a job due to my lack of social skills. It impeded my ability to interview well and find a girlfriend. I became depressed and upset that I couldn’t engage in other’s social circles uninvited. They refused when I invited them to chat or hang out with me due to “their other plans.”
When I asked my first Facebook friend Akila to hang out, she didn’t want to spend time with me. That was when I moved away from drawing backgrounds and started drawing my own characters, the very characters that would want to hang out with me.
When I asked my first Facebook friend Akila to hang out, she didn’t want to spend time with me. That was when I moved away from drawing backgrounds and started drawing my own characters, the very characters that would want to hang out with me.
Even though it might seem to others I am in paradise, I am not living out my dream to be an artist and animator. Understanding my predicament in Hawaii, my uncle posted my art on Linkedin, showing my latest 3D rendering of the Sistine Chapel, and asked if anyone could help me.
Fortunately, someone saw the post and recognized my talent. We have been working together to tell my story, connect with the right individuals in art and animation, and find ways I can make art and animation my profession.
I am hopeful the Autism Community can help me. I’m hard working, dependable, work well with others, and excel at my passion when given the opportunity to prove myself. I am optimistic and determined that my talent will be recognized, and I will find a proper place in life where I can achieve my dreams.
