Autism and the Arts

Our goal for this program is to introduce our autism families to music, instruments, the orchestra, and sensory-friendly ballet performances.

Many families with a loved one with autism are hesitant to attend public performances because of fear judgment of others due to some of the characteristics associated with autism including self-stimulatory behavior (e.g. jumping up and down, hand flapping, rocking, pacing), communication/social skill deficits (e.g.talking in a loud voice, not knowing when to remain quiet during a performance, repeating or mimicking whathis heard), and, in certain circumstances, problem behavior related the anxiety of new situations, places, or experiences (e.g., dropping to the floor, crying, refusing to follow directions). Creating opportunities for families to go to the ballet and the orchestra would be life-changing and create a sense of acceptance that many families do not often feel.