How traveling through the jungle helped an eight-year-old artist with autism

Brit Iris Grace is eight years old, she is a world-famous artist, and she has autism. Parents tried different ways to help their daughter interact with the world, including music, occupational therapy and friendship with a Maine Coon cat, but staying in nature turned out to be the most effective.

Iris's mother, professional photographer Arabella Carter-Johnson, went with her to the jungles of Costa Rica and captured their adventures on camera. Thanks to the trip, the girl became more sociable, learned to solve everyday problems and even began to study better. We publish the story of Carter-Johnson along with her amazing photos.

Following my daughter Iris has always been an adventure. Her paintings inspired people all over the world, which allowed us to think beyond the diagnosis. We believe that the Different is Brilliant project raises positive awareness about autism. It's about following your child's example and focusing on their strengths instead of their weaknesses.

Everything was fine, and gradually I felt a change in her, the development of her illness began to slow down. She wanted more, she wanted to explore new things. She was already homeschooled, and I realized that our study room could be anywhere. If in the first days when she was diagnosed, I felt isolated, now she has given way to a new beautiful world in which anything has become possible.

Iris' love for nature is the basis of her development and inspiration for her drawings, besides, it is in nature that she learns best. Now we are going on a new journey through the forests of the world together. Each trip will be focused on the interests of Iris, during the trip we will train her and develop the skills necessary for life and the ability to take care of yourself.

She will learn in practice, freely and flexibly what means something to her, follow her interests in an ever-changing natural environment. I will document the process to inspire people and show them the beauty of our world that needs to be protected for future generations. Donations from the Forests of the World project will be received by the World Wildlife Fund, a leading independent environmental organization.

The place of our first trip was Costa Rica, because it is a great example of how to live in harmony with nature. It was a four-week adventure, inspiring, challenging and mind-expanding.

Iris overcame a lot of fears and quickly progressed in areas that she had not been able to cope with before. Watching this amazing transformation reminded me that our possibilities are unlimited. I wanted to tell you about our trip to pay tribute to our beautiful planet and, of course, to show by the example of Iris Grace that being different is wonderful.