Music turns out to be an important mode of expression for self-advocates on the autistic spectrum. Anyone who has listened to my daughter Samantha sing knows that she can communicate on a deeper and more passionate level when performing on stage. But she is not alone. Jonathan Chase was diagnosed with Asberger’s when he was 14 years old and is now a mentor for others on the spectrum, as well as a public speaker. Jonathan’s hour-long talk is worth watching. He shares his journey, including facing bullies in grade school to discovering and then playing the bass guitar professionally. Now he also sits on the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Oregon! For anyone who seeks a better understanding of what it feels like to live inside the skin of a person, ‘Show Me the Music’ is a must-see.
Show Me the Music: A FutureTalk on Autism & Music
Marguerite Elisofon is a New York City writer and the author of My Picture Perfect Family, a memoir about how her family navigated life with a child on the autistic spectrum before the internet and support groups existed. She also blogs about parenting young adults and disability related issues in The Never Empty Nest. Her writing has been featured in a variety of publications, including Time and NY Metro Parents magazine, and her family’s story has been featured by the NY Post, Fox News, The Daily Mail, and on Jenny McCarthy’s Dirty Sexy Funny radio show. A Vassar graduate, Marguerite was born and raised in New York City, where she still lives with her husband, Howard, in their mostly-empty nest. She is available to speak about a wide variety of issues relating to twins, parenting, and autism. 