I believe that the magic of music goes beyond what many of us have the ability to experience. Music is a form of art that speaks not just to the mind but the soul as well. That is the reason why the minority among us that may not experience life in the same ways that the majority do tend to be the ones that experience music to a level that the majority can only dream.
Today, we zone in on one of the minority – a musical genius who despite being born premature and living with autism has created a legacy in the world of music.
Born almost three months premature, Derek Paravicini struggled more than most of us through the first moments of his life. And that was just the beginning of his struggles. Not only did he become blind as a result of oxygen therapy given while under neonatal intensive care, but the therapy also affected his brain, leading to learning disability. Derek also has symptoms of autism.
However, being born so prematurely had severe consequences on Derek’s brain. He suffers from autism, his parents early on feared what the future would hold for him. It didn’t take long for them to realize that though he was a bit different, he was like anyone else in that he wanted love and he enjoyed living life! Via This Blew My Mind
Derek began playing the piano when he was only two years old on an old keyboard given to him by his nanny. His parents made arrangements for him to join the Linden Lodge School for the blind.
One day they took the young boy to a special needs school, when he suddenly heard a piano playing in the distance for the first time. He ran into the music room where his future piano teacher was playing and pushed him aside. It was from that moment on he knew that playing the piano was the one thing that made his life seem complete. Via This Blew My Mind
Adam Ockelford was not offended when Derek took over the piano. In fact, he encouraged him and even arranged for weekly lessons, which quickly became daily lessons.
Labeled a musical savant, Derek eventually took classes and learned how to properly play the piano. His teacher quickly realized how incredibly gifted Derek’s mind was. He is able to use 100% of his brainpower while hyper focusing on his playing, and it wasn’t long before this pianist showed everyone that he was quite possibly one of the greatest piano players in history. Via This Blew My Mind
Derek gave his first concert in South London’s Tooting Leisure Center, and at 9 years, he had his first major public concert at the Barbican Hall.
Able to play any song after hearing it only once, Derek’s mind acts like a musical library that can store an infinite amount of songs. He is able to play in any style, in any key, he’s a perfect example of what the human brain is really capable of. Via This Blew My Mind
Music has been found to have a significant positive impact on children with learning disabilities and autism. There are many stories of music being the miracle through which such children are able to overcome the challenges they face.
One of these stories is that of Mathew. When doctors told his mother that her son was unlikely to ever speak, she taught him to sing instead.
She said as a baby and young toddler her son had been a bright and bubbly boy, who would happily play with others and his speech was better developed than many other children his age.
But from the age of around 18 months, his behaviour started to dramatically change, he stopped interacting with those around him and he lost the ability to speak. By the time medics had diagnosed autism, Isabel says she had found the one thing that seemed to both calm and interest Matthew was music. Via Daily Record
Isabel, a music teacher, would encourage Mathew to sit on her knee while she played the piano. He would copy her finger movements and even repeat individual words she would sing to him.
Now, more than 15 years on, she says Matthew not only has the communication skills that allow him to lead an almost independent life, but he is also a talented musician and keen athlete. Via Daily Record
Music therapy has become an effective mode of treatment for autism. In Brazil, 24 year old Ana Carolina has created a musical performance that makes communication for autistic children easier.
Together the group uses sound, rhythm, melody, and harmony to create music that is not only enjoyed by the community in a local hall but, more important, makes it easier for autistic children to communicate, participants said. Via Adventist Review
What makes this musical performance different is that in addition to Ana and the children, sessions also include the children’s parents and families.
Improving communication with families with special needs is a key reason why she includes the families of autistic children in the musical performances.
“Family is very important,” she said. “When family is involved, the child feels more motivated. When they make a movement or sound, the child feels encouraged to copy the same action. This is important because children with autism need to develop a bond.” Via Adventist Review
Featured Image: Image Credit
Sesame Street debuts its first autistic character https://t.co/7dG7QV9OS3
— TIME.com (@TIME) October 24, 2015
How pop culture is helping spread #autism#awareness >> https://t.co/sg8paahbjMpic.twitter.com/87BWyiowPy — Autism Speaks (@autismspeaks) October 27, 2015
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