Autism Awareness Month - April 2022 | Sing and Speak 4 Kids

April is Autism Awareness Month! We are excited to share with you Autism resources, fun and educational videos, quotes, stories, and more about Autism Awareness Month.

Autism Awareness Day is on April 2nd

Did you know, today is World Autism Awareness Day? Help us spread kindness, understanding, and acceptance of people who have Autism.

“Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the United States today,” according to AutismSpeaks.org.

Our online evidence-based music language program, Sing and Speak 4 Kids, supports young children with speech development. It is a fun, interactive game for kids ages 18 months through 7 years. Sing and Speak 4 Kids helps many children overcome delayed speech including children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Parents and Caregivers Learn More About SS4Kids
Professionals, Teachers, and Clinicians Learn More About SS4Kids

Derek Paravicini, a Blind Musical Savant who has Severe Autism, and Learning Difficulties

“Derek Paravicini is a musical savant. His extraordinary talent developed alongside blindness, severe autism and learning difficulties. With the gift of perfect pitch, a photographic musical memory, the ability to transpose anything instantly to any key, and his incredible abilities to learn by ear and improvise, Derek loves connecting with people via his music and absolutely loves taking requests for songs, styles and keys!” –From Derek’s YouTube Channel

Below are two videos of him playing piano as well as a documentary on Derek:

Meet Alix Genereous

Alix Generous is a Mental Health Advocate and App Developer. She is a clinical supervisor and therapist for neurodivergent children in Los Angeles County. She is Autistic.

Alix was thrilled to help advise in the creation of our SS4Kids program. She loves that she can use Sing & Speak 4 Kids to help her patients speak. Alix believes that Sing & Speak 4 Kids is a great program, one that her clients enjoy using.

Music is heavily ingrained in Alix’s sessions with clients. She uses singing to help kids to feel more motivated to talk and have fun. For the children Alix works with who are learning how to talk, she lets them use the SS4Kids game as a break activity.

Alix lives in Valley Village, California. She has one dog (Chauncey), one cat (Pooshka), and two ducks (Kennedy & Onassis). For fun, Alix does ballet, piano, and stage theatre. Alix’s favorite places to travel are Paris and Florence.

We thank you, Alix, for all that you have done for SS4Kids!

Follow Alix on Instagram @generousalix.

Meet Joel Anderson

Joel Anderson is SS4Kids’ animation artist and just so happens to also be Autistic.

It has been Joel’s honor to travel the world to share his own experiences with being autistic. The difficulties & the strengths make him who he is today.

Joel first met David Sonnenschein at a movie screening in Hollywood back in 2016. They got to talking and Joel soon began making animations for SS4Kids.

Joel became involved with SS4Kids because he wanted to make animations that not only teach useful skills for children, but also keep them entertained. He loves to make kids smile. SS4Kids not only helps kids with autism develop language, but it’s also fun! Joel admires how SS4Kids does a wonderful job preparing children for school.

Joel lives in Fallbrook, California with his parents. He feels lucky to be surrounded by beautiful nature.

His older brother is severely autistic and nonverbal and lives in a group home in Oceanside. Joel is a passionate advocate for autism. Joel started volunteering with the Autism Tree Project Foundation when he was 13, & has been with them for 17 years & is ATPF’s International Ambassador! Joel loves making art for ATPF to make people smile and to spread awareness of Autism!

Joel is also an international public speaker. He enjoys speaking to all ages from preschools to universities, conferences, & churches where he encourages his audiences to have courage, be kind & supportive of their peers with autism. Joel’s favorite places to speak have been China, Peru, Drexel University and Rutgers University.

In his free-time, Joel loves to travel, make stop-motion, & visit amusement parks like Disneyland or Legoland. Joel also loves to paint!

One of Joel’s life passions has been to create “Smile Bags.” Smile Bags are filled with toys, art supplies, coloring pages, & bibles-they have the word “smile” in 27 different languages. Joel travels internationally & gives them to many children & adults who are in need of a smile around the world. 200 Bags have been gifted so far. Joel’s favorite quote “So smile & be the best you YOU can be!”

Check out Joel’s artwork:

www.joelsvisionarts.com
www.joelandersonartist.com

www.medievaltriotales.com

Temple Grandin with David our CEO

In 2017, David Sonnenschein, SS4Kids CEO, consulted with Dr. Temple Grandin, renowned autism expert, about the benefits and implementation of SS4Kids. Dr. Grandin was very encouraging, emphasizing the need for evidence-based research to establish this as an accepted protocol for professionals.

Celebrating in Autism Awareness in Merida, Mexico

In 2022, our Chief Executive Officer, David Sonenschein, and our Chief Strategy Officer, Annie de la Bouillerie Goeke, celebrated Autism Awareness Month in Merida, Mexico!