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Cherie Willoughby of Repercussions and Willoughcraft Drums requested that I write a testimony as to how drumming helps people on the autism spectrum. I certainly can do that because my son, Doug, who has autism, was a drummer for many years. He started taking lessons in sixth grade and continued through two years of college at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) where he was member of the Star of Nevada Marching Band.
Individual lessons are important at the beginning for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The individual attention assists with focus to task, socialization, following directions, and of course, one of the most important aspects for any child, building a positive self-esteem. For our family, these individual lessons soon bridged into lessons with another drummer and then into the junior high band as a whole.
The reasons I, as a mother and speech-language pathologist choose drums as the instrument of choice for therapy, communication, social interaction, and personal development are listed below. They are numerous. They are simple to complex. They are about life.
Drumming helps develop: turn taking skills, attending/focus, choices, listening, planning, sequencing, coordination, judgment, problem solving, eye contact, reading body language,
Drumming brings in the right hemisphere of the brain where rhythm is lateralized. This assists with total body coordination for walking, running, and hand-eye coordination. This will assist with reading, writing, and academic skills.
Drumming assists with pragmatic language skills (social language) Being a part of a group that specializes in music is significant for socialization and self-esteem. The responsibility of one person to a group of people does not come easily for a person with ASD ~ but with more practice the better it gets.
Drumming assists with learning how to drive – that might seem far out but from a speech therapy point of view it is not at all. All of the above skills are necessary with learning how to drive a car. In people with ASD, it takes many different aspects of bringing all of these skills together, over time, to accomplish this complicated driving task. Yes, people with ASD can drive. My son, Doug, has driven since he was seventeen.
Drumming assists with happiness and fulfillment in life. Perhaps this is the most important aspect of all. Give your child with ASD something to be happy about. Too many people point out children’s weaknesses and drumming, be it loud or soft, good or bad, within the beat or not, will make them and you HAPPY!
Thank you, Cherie Willoughby, for prompting me to write this testimony to DRUMMING. It sounds to me like YOU do a fantastic job for families with autism and without. Keep the beat alive!
Guide Autism
This month, Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Heeling Autism program is in the running for a $250,000 grant from Pepsi’s Refresh Project. We are currently ranked 7th out of 415 – we need to be in first or second place to receive funding.
Heeling Autism dogs change the lives of children in almost miraculous ways. The dogs elicit social skills and emotions that other therapies may not. They keep children safe so that trips with their families become more enjoyable, and less stressful. Our dogs are provided absolutely free of charge and provide infinite hope in their new homes. Unfortunately, there is a two year waiting list for a Heeling Autism dog.
Can you help us encourage more votes? You can post this link – http://www.refresheverything.com/autismdogsforchildren – to your blog / FB page / etc. Your supporters have the potential to make a huge difference.
Thank you for your consideration; please let me know if you have any questions or if you’d like more information.
Warmest wishes,
Michelle
Michelle Brier
Events and Marketing Manager
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
611 Granite Springs Road
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
by Kathie from AliMed
My new oral motor speech program, TONGUE TRACKS, published by AliMed, will be in their May 2011 catalog. This program is designed for children with mild speech delays to children on the autism spectrum. TONGUE TRACKS is a fun, motivating way to get children to practice tongue, lip, mouth exercises that enhance speech sounds, chewing, and swallowing. The beauty of TONGUE TRACKS is that it can be implimented by speech/language pathologists, teachers, and parents.
Be sure to take a look and make your fall plans now.
The twins
Bringing up one child with autism was a journey in many ways ~ but two. Read more about this family and admire their love, faith, perseverance, and knowledge. Thank you Sue Hiller for sharing your story about Kara and Jenna. The twins are special and so are YOU.
Jackie Knechtel, M.A., CCC-SLP
Fellow SLP, Jackie Knechtel of New York, is doing something I certainly have never attempted – in July, Jackie climbed Mr. Kilimanjaro (the tallest mountain in Africa – 19,340 ft.) She says: “My goal is to raise $10,000 for Autism Speaks. I chose Autism Speaks as the beneficiary because it is the nation’s largest science and advocacy group related to autism spectrum disorders. It is a trusted organization.
Jackie specializes in working with children with autism in her practice, Self Expressions.
I salute you, Jackie, and hope it is easy coming down the mountain.
To date, $7221.00 has been donated.
Why not you?
Reminds me of Doug
Treatment Right on Beat ~ this article reminded so very much of our own family’s experience with our son. Doug took drum lessons for many years. It offered him following directions, one-on-on as well as group activities, rhythm – that gave him patterning for his brain and flow of speech and as well as balance. Drums also helped with focus, attending, and hand-eye coordination.
Doug made many friendships because of playing an instrument and being a member of the band. He was in the Chaparral High School Band as well as the Star of Nevada Marching Band at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Be sure to read my story in the Story Shelf called “A Walk by Faith,” about that experience.
You go, Tyler and Jim, U R Right on Beat!
ADA 20 Years of Age
Autism Speaks was on hand to witness President Obama commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the White House.
The ADA was significant to our family in the past as we litigated under it for our son’s rights. WE WON!
As parents of children and adults with autism, we must and shall always stand up for what is right ~ we will WIN.
Hey, family fans, I want to show you some of the many hats that I wear. I’m a Santa, to an Indian Chief, to a Happy Birthday present, to a Dickey’s Barbeque fan. I love it all.
Kathie says she can’t wait until the Halloween costumes are on the shelves. Oh boy ~ I’m in for many, many more.
As a speech therapist just think of all the possiblities you can do with a page like this ~ of ME ~ with my hats. IT’S ENDLESS!
If you need a larger copy of my hat sheet for therapy just send me your E mail address and Kathie will make sure you receive it. You can “categorize, verbalize, functionalize, prepositionalize, sillyize, whateverize.” You’ll have fun and the kids will learn and remember ~ ME!
If you have not seen the HBO film “Temple Grandin” staring Claire Danes than your missing a true treat for your heart, soul, ears, and eyes. Those of us who know the world of autism appreciate the journey that Temple and her family has taken. To those of you who don’t know about autism, you will appreciate the perspective of this film and the acting talent of Ms. Danes as she crawls into the skin of Temple Grandin.
I have met Temple and heard her speak on several occasions. Her insite into the world of autism is not only informative but gives us all an appreciation of living life to the fullest and doing good. She has made the world a better place ~ she has done it with her grace ~ she has given AUTISM a face.
Thank you Temple and congratulations to all of those who made this film possible. And to you, Claire, a heartfelt kiss for the performance you so vividly brought to the screen.
