I have my Autistic student playing Beethoven and Bach!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (219316)
Walnut Creek, California
November 30, 2024 9:02pm CST
Wheee! Christopher has a small electric keyboard now, and it is motivating him to practice a lot. He still often plays with his index fingers, playing music like I type. But I saw him spreading out his fingers today.
I have him inching forwrd both on Beethoven's Fur Elise and Bach's Toccatta in d-minor.
It is fascinating to see how a 10-year-old boy in Pampers can hear things in music that most adults cannot hear. He GETS music.
When he looks at me and smiles, there is still an element of "looking through me," as is common with Autistic children.
But he also gets my musical "jokes," and plays appropriate notes and phrases when I tell him to.
This is some fascinating work.
12 people like this
12 responses
@kaylachan (70610)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Dec
To be fair, atustic students, or anyone with a nero-divergent brain tend to be very smart and can take direction well. So, it's not a real surprise.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (70610)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Dec
@TheHorse studies I've heard about, say autistics tend to be more art-focused. Weather it be language, performing or something physical (like painting and drawing). I do know music is a tool often used, particurally if autism is discovered in childhood. So, that might contribute.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (219316)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Dec
@kaylachan I think the earlier the better for music as well. For the general population. But perhaps especially for autistic kids.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223430)
• Chile
1 Dec
@TheHorse Autistic children seem to be very talented with music.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (219316)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Dec
@marguicha I don't know if it has been confirmed by controlled research, but that is my hunch as well.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (179787)
• United States
1 Dec
It takes a very special person to do the work that you do. Have a wonderful day.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160779)
• United States
2 Dec
My kiddo is not diagnosed as autistic, but I see tendencies in him. He has his favorite composers and likes to listen to Beethoven, but not Mozart. I would say all the kids in my class are very interesting.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16771)
• China
1 Dec
You are a good teacher ! Teaching an autistic student requires patience and understanding.
1 person likes this
@jobelbojel (35722)
• Philippines
1 Dec
Kids like him are really talented. They have an ear for music indeed.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (80206)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Dec
That is just awesome I'm so glad he enjoys the music,
@aureategloom (10100)
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
2 Dec
i've learned that music can have positive impact on kids with autism, so i guess that's what's going on here. i remember that the kid with autism was world champion in solving rubik's cube. i think these kids can be super dedicated and good in the fields that are interesting to them.
1 person likes this
