Tag: music
Music aids Alzheimer’s patients remember new information
e! Science News
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have shown that patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are better able to remember new verbal information when it is provided in the context of music even when compared to healthy, older adults.
The findings, which currently appear on-line in Neuropsychologia, offer possible applications in treating and caring for patients with AD. AD, the most common form of dementia, is characterized by a general, progressive decline in cognitive function that typically presents first as impaired episodic memory. The onset and rate of this decline tends to vary across cognitive domains, and some functions may be preferentially spared in patients with AD.
via Music aids Alzheimer’s patients in remembering new information | e! Science News.
Posted on May 12, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's | Tags: Alzheimer's, music
‘Chords for Kids’ lets kids with autism experience a live classical concert
Daily Herald
At most classical music concerts, audiences are expected to be reverentially silent and still – a near impossibility for autistic kids who frequently have sensory issues and can’t fully control their speech or movement.
But noisemakers and wigglers are more than welcome at “Chords for Kids,” a free concert for families with autistic or special needs children. It’s performed by the North Central College student ensemble Concert Winds at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville.
“It was a just a group of friends with an idea,” said concert planner and “Chords for Kids” co-founder Susan Maynes of St. Charles.
After learning about a combined classical and operatic concert for autistic children staged in Salt Lake City by Utah Symphony-Utah Opera (which started annual autism concerts back in 2003), Maynes was inspired to try and do something similar locally.
“It was very much a fledgling, grass-roots movement,” said Jamie Walden-Mather of St. Charles, who is also an adjunct professor at North Central College. “This was a niche that really needed to be filled.”
via Daily Herald | ‘Chords for Kids’ lets kids with autism experience a live classical concert.
Posted on March 9, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: Autism, children with Autism, music
Jackson Brown, Dar Williams and others sing for autism
AllAccess.com
Jackson Brown, Dar Williams, Marshall Crenshaw, Jonatha Brooke and other singer-songwriters will appear on “Songs of the Spectrum” — a new fundraising album of songs about autism.
The songs on the album, which will be released April 6, are collaborations between John O’Neil, a New York Times editor whose 2004 essay about his autistic son was part of a Pulitzer Prize-nominated series, and Jon Fried and Deena Shoshkes of the indie-pop band The Cucumbers.
The the website AllAccess.com:
An impressive collection of singer-songwriters are banding together to support AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH in APRIL through “Songs of the Spectrum,” an album of original songs about autism. The project is being released on TUESDAY, APRIL 6th and the proceeds will benefit SingSOS, a new nonprofit organization formed to enlist the power of music to spread the word about autism.
Artists who have contributed to the project include JACKSON BROWNE, DAR WILLIAMS, MARSHALL CRENSHAW, JONATHA BROOKE, ARI HEST, DAN BERN, RICHARD JULIAN, OLLABELLE, VALERIE CARTER, DON DIXON & MARTI JONES and many others.
via Artists Sing For Autism | AllAccess.com.
Posted on February 19, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: Autism, celebrities, fundraising, music
Activities for Autistic Children
lovetoknow Autism
Autistic children need challenging, yet fun, activities that they can participate in on a daily basis. Should they be expected to participate in all of the activities that other children engage in? Of course not, but there are numerous activities for autistic children to enjoy. …
Selecting Activities for Autistic Children
Consider an autistic child’s capabilities, interests, and aptitude as you search for appropriate activities for him or her to enjoy.
* Sensory activities-Games that include the senses are often enjoyed by these children. For example, play the game “I Spy” with your children. Describe the object that you are looking at, and see if the children can find and name that object from your description.
via Activities for Autistic Children – LoveToKnow Autism.
Posted on February 10, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Caregiving | Tags: activities, art, children with Autism, music, sports
How a piano prodigy with autism is navigating college at Boston’s Berklee
The Boston Globe
The scrawny kid with the squeaky voice and Harry Potter glasses, the jazz prodigy from Sudbury whose feet didn’t reach the piano pedals when he began performing and recording, the autistic grade-schooler who dazzled everybody from Dave Brubeck to David Letterman with his keyboard wizardry, is growing up.
Last month, Matt Savage began his second semester at Berklee College of Music. Before setting foot on campus, Savage, who’ll turn 18 this spring, had already established himself as a rising star, having recorded eight CDs, the latest titled “Hot Ticket: Live in Boston,’’ and played the “Today’’ show, Birdland, Lincoln Center, and the New Orleans Jazz Festival.
Posted on February 9, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: adults with autism, children with Autism, College, music, school
Name that Tune for Those with Dementia
Associated Content
Start by getting a list of song titles from the era most potential participant(s) are familiar with. If you are not familiar with the songs yourself, you may want to purchase a CD or get some from the library to familiarize yourself with the songs. You may want to use these CDs during the
activity if necessary.
via Name that Tune for Those with Dementia – Associated Content – associatedcontent.com.
Posted on December 31, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia | Tags: Alzheimer's, Dementia, music, recreation
N.Y. Band Members Live With Blindness, Autism, Down Syndrome
Good Morning America
Many start-up bands dream of achieving worldwide fame one day.
That the band Flame achieved the dream is remarkable in and of itself. But the band is extraordinary in another respect: Each musician has a physical or mental disability.
Indeed, Flame is the only touring band in the world to be wholly composed of disabled members.
The upstate New York band’s members live with conditions that include Down syndrome, cognitive delays, autism, cerebral palsy and blindness.
Band member David LaGrange is blind and mentally disabled. He grew up in an institution and had a passion for rock ‘n’ roll.
“The Iron Butterfly, Led Zeppelin, sometimes I listen to AC/DC,” LaGrange, Flame’s drummer, said.
Via NY Band Members Live with Blindness, Autism and Down Syndrome
Posted on November 27, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Caregiving, Down Syndrome | Tags: Autism, children, music
Autism Album Debuts
New York Times
Last spring, I invaded these columns to tell about a local autism awareness music project, SingSOS!, that had been invited to perform at the United Nations. That was a high point on a long and winding road that has now led — at last! — to the release of the “Songs of the Spectrum” album in time for the holidays.
The album features original songs about autism, featuring performances by artists like Jackson Browne, Dar Williams, Marshall Crenshaw and other top names. The music is packaged with a shelf’s worth of handpicked autism resources, including excerpts from books by leaders in the field, all in electronic form.
We have also hit upon what we hope is an innovative distribution model. We have invited nonprofits serving the Autism Spectrum Disorders community to register, and are giving donors the choice of where their money goes.
Posted on November 25, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: Autism, funding, music