Percussion Helping Communication In Autistic Children

LORETTO, Pa. -- Autism is a communication disorder that often leaves people unable to speak.

Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas at Saint Francis University teamed up with occupational therapist and professional musicians to start a pilot program using percussion.CamCo, an occupational therapy group was taught how to use drumming as a way to talk to their autistic and hyperactive patients. On a normal day its hard to get these patients to respond well, said CERMUSA's Brenda Guzic. The group involved is hoping to change that. CERMUSA's Kent Tonkin used classes and Skype, a free internet communication program, to teach these therapists how to drum and use it as a response technique. CERMUSA's officials said noise and rhythms will help them break the barrior between autistic children and their parents. The program is in its infant stages, but CERMUSA officials, Camco therapists and Saint Francis University instructors have implemented it into the Cambria County School system.

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