Recently I had the opportunity to observe music therapy classes at Columbus' Bridgeway Academy. Joining me for the visit were WOSU intern Sean Flynn and digital producer Emily Thompson.
In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, we created a series of posts and videos highlighting the work being done at Bridgeway, showing the positive effects music has on the lives and development of kids on the autism spectrum. This post is the last of three.
Socialization is an important goal for kids on the autism spectrum. The kind of connection to others that does not come naturally to them can be helped along, by music.
Here, we observe a drumming circle. We meet Chase, Ryan, Stephon and Gabe, led by music therapists Alyssa Graber and Pam Richardson.
We also look in on a preschool group with music therapists Kristin Kummer and Liz Woolley. The children have just returned from spring break. One kid tells us, "I went to the country of Czech Republic!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88RFruIR4Z4
My thanks for help with this video series to Erin Nealy, Bridgeway co-founder and co-director; Carol Argiro, director of development; Tanya Corso, music therapy supervisor; and all of the teachers and students at Bridgeway.
