I am interested in the benefits of music and autism, especially it is part of our mission to give the gift of music.

I found the following article which shed some light on the subject–>

Written by Myra J. Staum, Ph.D., RMT-BC
Director and Professor of Music Therapy
Willamette University, Salem, Oregon

Music Therapy is the unique application of music to enhance personal lives by creating positive changes in human behavior. It is an allied health profession utilizing music as a tool to encourage development in social/ emotional, cognitive/learning, and perceptual-motor areas. Music Therapy has a wide variety of functions with the exceptional child, adolescent and adult in medical, institutional and educational settings. Music is effective because it is a nonverbal form of communication, it is a natural reinforcer, it is immediate in time and provides motivation for practicing nonmusical skills. Most importantly, it is a successful medium because almost everyone responds positively to at least some kind of music.

The training of a music therapist involves a full curriculum of music classes, along with selected courses in psychology, special education, and anatomy with specific core courses and field experiences in music therapy. Following coursework, students complete a six-month full time clinical internship and a written board certification exam. Registered, board certified professionals must then maintain continuing education credits or retake the exam to remain current in their practice.

Music Therapy is particularly useful with autistic children owing in part to the nonverbal, non threatening nature of the medium. Parallel music activities are designed to support the objectives of the child as observed by the therapist or as indicated by a parent, teacher or other professional. A music therapist might observe, for instance, the child’s need to socially interact with others. Musical games like passing a ball back and forth to music or playing sticks and cymbals with another person might be used to foster this interaction. Eye contact might be encouraged with imitative clapping games near the eyes or with activities which focus attention on an instrument played near the face. Preferred music may be used contingently for a wide variety of cooperative social behaviors like sitting in a chair or staying with a group of other children in a circle.

Click Below for the rest of the story!!!
http://www.autism.com/edu_music_therapy.asp

For the Dulcimer and cello loving aspie in me here are some nice examples

It brings out the old soul in me!!!

One of our missions is helping autism through the gift of Music!!!
Listen and you will know why!!
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#6 Finally From autism the musical take a listen.

# 7 Some Modern Irish Techno, It kind of reminds me of the brainwaves of my mind, kind of melodic and hyper.

By
Doug Smith
– May 9, 2011

As an Uncle to an autistic little boy I just wanted to give a little shout out for Motorola for sending 45 XOOM Android powered Tablets to Autism Speaks as a very useful learning aid. Autism affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys. Big thanks to Motorola for helping families better help these children and let’s hope that someday we can se the cure for Autism.

Doing a quick Search through the Apple App Store there were 213 Apps returned when I put in the keyword Autism, and the Android Market from the Dell Streak returned 57. Hopefully developers will continue to create apps for Autistic Children and grow the apps in both stores.

I found this nice article and video on Mobility Digest–>click here for more info—>http://mobilitydigest.com/motorola-sending-45-xoom-tablets-to-autism-speaks/

Here is the most recent information on Autism According to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

What is Autism?

Autistic disorder (sometimes called autism or classical ASD) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, display problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and exhibit repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling. Autism varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when more debilitating handicaps mask it. Scientists aren’t certain what causes autism, but it’s likely that both genetics and environment play a role.

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for autism. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that meet the specific needs of individual children. Treatment options include educational/bahavioral interventions, medications, and other therapies. Most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.

What is the prognosis?

For many children, autism symptoms improve with treatment and with age. Some children with autism grow up to lead normal or near-normal lives. Children whose language skills regress early in life, usually before the age of 3, appear to be at risk of developing epilepsy or seizure-like brain activity. During adolescence, some children with autism may become depressed or experience behavioral problems. Parents of these children should be ready to adjust treatment for their child as needed. People with an ASD usually continue to need services and support as they get older but many are able to work successfully and live independently or within a supportive environment.

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts research in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and also supports additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. As part of the Children’s Health Act of 2000, the NINDS and three sister institutes have formed the NIH Autism Coordinating Committee to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH’s autism research. More information about the Autism Coordinating Committee is available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/recurring-meetings/iacc/nih-initiatives/nih-autism-coordinating-committee.shtml. Eight dedicated research centers across the country have been established as “Centers of Excellence in Autism Research” to bring together researchers and the resources they need. The Centers are conducting basic and clinical research, including investigations into causes, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, and treatment of autism.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/autism.htm FYI

I find this tablet to be the most intriguing of the bunch. I would most likely buy one of these once the budget permits it. It would be great if there were more special needs apps. There are a few but not as many as on the Apple Ipad.

I was on the internet today and found this interesting article from our friends at the autism news wire. It makes sense and lends credence to the stories I have heard that the incidence of autism are higher in areas like silicon valley where really smart people live. Maybe asperger’s is some how more common in extremely smart people or their children.

Autism diagnoses are more common in an IT-rich region. The Medical Research Council (MRC) funded study, published today in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, has important implications for service provision in different regions and for the ‘hyper-systemizing’ theory of autism.

Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Cambridge, led the study (which was conducted in the Netherlands) with Dr Rosa Hoekstra, a Dutch autism researcher based at ARC and The Open University.

The researchers predicted that autism spectrum conditions (ASC) would be more common in populations enriched for ‘systemizing’, which is the drive to analyse how systems work, and to predict, control and build systems. These skills are required in disciplines such as engineering, physics, computing and mathematics.

The team had previously discovered evidence for a familial association between a talent for systemizing and autism in that fathers and grandfathers of children with ASC are over-represented in the field of engineering. The team had also previously found that mathematicians more often have a sibling with ASC, and students in the natural and technological sciences, including mathematics, show a higher number of autistic traits.

Click here for the rest of the story–>http://www.theautismnewswire.com/NewsITems.aspx?newsID=565&utm_source=Autism&utm_campaign=0feea8dbbb-201100611&utm_medium=email#

and

the intensive overview shown here.

The second video is from Geekazine, a nice tech site.

I am quite impressed by the device. If it gets good application support such as for education and special needs it could be an awesome device.

I would love to do some hands on testing so if you have access to one and want send us one let me know.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 seems quite nice. I am considering getting one to demo apps, and see if Android offers apps that are good for autistic people and other special needs educational purposes. Please take a look at the following video from mobile tech review.

http://kitchenclassroom.squarespace.com/links

A little about Gabrielle–>

I am a freelance writer, educator, and cooking instructor based in Philadelphia. I am the author of several nonfiction books for adults, including Insulin Pump Therapy Demystified and The Creative Jewish Wedding Book.

I currently teach a cooking class at Gratz College, in which teenagers cook meals for several hundred home-bound senior citizens each month. In my cooking classes, I have worked with teens with autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD and intellectual disabilities and appreciate the connections that we make as we cook.

Previously, I was a cooking instructor for Williams-Sonoma in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. As a mother of two young children, including a son with autism, I share my personal experience of engaging with them as they create healthy, wholesome food together. I am now conducting workshops for parents, parents and kids together, teachers and therapists about how to use cooking to connect, communicate and learn together! Drop me a line and we can talk about me doing a workshop for you.

Recently, I have begun a pilot program called Celebrations! at my synagogue for children with special needs and their families. If you are in the Philadelphia area, please get in touch about Celebrations!

Being a Jewish, Asperger’s father of 3 on the spectrum, I appreciate being recognized, and do the same for Gabrielle.

This morning we were on The Vegas Morning Blend, with the Lovely Dao and the dashing Shawn. I really appreciate the opportunity to be on the show.

Technology News Zone uses technology, education and the arts to fully educate people with autism and raise awareness to others. As a man inflicted with Apsergers and the father of three autistic children, David Berkowitz is fueled to assist autistic people and their families with much needed resources and funds. See how you too can help.

http://www.vegasmorningblend.com/videos/123835834.html

We spoke about and appreciate–>

Charity Music, inc.

http://www.charitymusic.org/autismadvocacy.html

We would like to thank KTNV TV, and ABC Television.

www.ktnv.com