“A Small Window” by Onassis Foundation on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day

On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, the Onassis Foundation celebrates difference. Through musical notes, it depicts the unique journey of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), offering the music album “A Small Window” for free. Discover a musical universe through a series of songs created by composer Dimitris Papadimitriou and poet Michalis Ganas in the context of the educational workshop “Music Loves Autism” of the Onassis Foundation.

How can a CD with songs and melodies become the starting point of creative play at home and at school? Unique in its kind in Greece, “A Small Window” is a CD addressed to children with and without autism spectrum disorder, their parents, their educators and therapists, as well as all of us. Its aim is to uncover new ways of communication and creative play.

The creativity and sensitivity of composer Dimitris Papadimitriou and poet Michalis Ganas are reflected in the melodies and lyrics of this album, sung by Christos Thivaios and Veronica Davaki; composer and poet stay close to the pace and aims of the educational program “Music Loves Autism”.[AP1] Embracing this project, Michalis Ganas noted: “It was a unique work, full of inspiration and vision; with pencil and paper, I tried to hide important meanings in the words”. Talking about the album, Dimitris Papadimitriou pointed out: “Music gives to words another kind of power and vice versa. However, words do not always suffice to describe emotions. Perhaps the power found in musical notes can depict the world as it is viewed by these children, enabling us to come closer to them.”

Through the educational program “Music Loves Autism” of the Onassis Foundation – realized since 2013 in Athens and cities throughout Greece – parents, children and educators from all over Greece experience the proximity created by music. As groups of children with and without autism spectrum disorder experience sounds and musical instruments, music transforms into “a language of communication” beyond speech. The program aims to reinforce access to education and play. Thirty-six cities in Greece and 2700 participants have experienced moving moments through numerous workshops, aiming at providing information, bringing awareness, and educating participants through music and play.

The Special Education programs of Onassis Foundation may use different approaches for learning, entertainment and communication. However, their aim remains the same: parents and children enjoy the right to an escape solely offered by knowledge, art, and communication. Talking about the Special Education programs of the Onassis Foundation, Executive Director and Director of Education Effie Tsiotsiou notes: “Special Education is for us the way through which all children can have access to knowledge, art and the joy of learning. Experiencing education can also take place outside the classroom, outside school [AP2] walls. At the same time, environments with multiple stimuli are a source of motivation for the pursuit of knowledge [AP3] and independent action. We seek to be present where we are most needed, because we have a firm belief that no one should try alone.”

As Christina Panagiotakou, Educational Programs Coordinator of Onassis Foundation, underlines: “Through the program ‘Music Loves Autism’ we have experienced the ways in which music can function as a therapeutic power for children and parents, as well as educators. Many children discovered their love for music, and through it found a new way of expression but also a way out of everyday challenges. This inspired us to go a step further and create this particular music project. We would like to thank profusely all those who made it happen.”

The songs of “A Small Window” and their instrumental and acoustic renditions speak with tenderness and sensitivity about friendship, contact and the power of emotions. A small window opens, generating great experiences with simple and everyday moments, emotions and reactions: a small window with a different yet ever so unique world, the world of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder.