The Jimi Hendrix Foundation dedicates its attention to children and young adults with autism, looking for solutions, researching the effects of music as a means to stimulate and exhilarate mood and sense of purpose. Active listening and participation of music spark both sides of the brain, learning songs and singing is powerful therapy. Those affected by autism go on in life in their own world, with their own way of coping and communicating. Children frequently have difficulty communicating with others and lack in prosocial skills. Verbal mimicry and repetitive vocalizations, motor and phonic tic responses are prevalent with autism. These peculiarities can, by memorization redirection, be restructured so a child can function in social environments. Focusing on music as emotional and expressive develops one’s music ability therefore stimulating long term memory and brain development. Though there is so much to learn and understand about autism, learning to play an instrument and singing enhances mechanical function and motor control.
Learning an instrument supports cognitive activity to improve executive function and self-regulation skills, build self-awareness and improve relationships with others. Musical training can change brain structure to function better. It can also improve long-term memory and processing of critical tasks, therefore, promoting social skills for social freedom and control. Musical training also offers children specific strategies and skills to use when faced with feelings of uncertainty in social situations and unsettling boundaries.
Starting at an early age, music training improves long term memory and brain development. As a result, musicians tend to be more alert with strong, decision- making and problem-solving skills. Music offers a variety of benefits at each stage of learning and performance stimulating many parts of the brain at the same time, along with the senses of hearing, sight, sound and touch and those areas affecting movement, mood and language.
There is so much that can be done to help children and young adults with autism, ASD and similar disorders. By incorporating music training and therapy, music can help smooth out brainwave glitches, peaks and valleys thereby decreasing physical and mental stress.
The Foundation will introduce “Music in Therapy” hold special clinics and send therapy clinicians and music therapists to hospitals, health clinics and rehab facilities to visit and interact with patients to teach and perform music as therapy, a significant part in the healing process.
Donate now and be the spark of hope for those in need.
Opening Photo – © Tom Gundelfinger O’Neal – Monterey Pop Festival
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