Music Loves Autism | For children aged 5–7 and 8–11, and their parents

As part of the Onassis Foundation’s ongoing and concerted investment in the education of persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its “Music Loves Autism” educational program is back once more, for an eleventh year. This musical group experience brings together mixed groups of children –both with and without ASD– and their parents, encouraging self-expression, developing social skills, and fostering emotional maturity in each child.

Musical notes, sounds, and rhythms are the language spoken here, with a piano or saxophone used as the mode of communication. Acknowledging the uniqueness of each child, a sense of togetherness is fostered through the use of movement, sound, and rhythm. This musical workshop creates a safe space in which musicians, special education teachers, parents, and children all get to know one another as they interact and play and sing together.

The goal of this workshop is to get all children, both with and without ASD, to unleash their potential in experiential and creative ways, connecting with those around them and feeling like part a team.