Purchase Details

Introduction

Connections is a double CD set of original music, songs, stories and games for children and young adults across the autistic spectrum. It was created over a two year period, in consultation with experts working in the field of autism: parents, carers, therapists, teachers, researchers and the young people themselves. It has been thoroughly tested in two specialist schools for children and young adults with autism, and was developed with guidance from the NAS.

Connections was originally enabled by a grant from the Onians Fellowship, a fund created to explore the opportunities for developing new, ethical and socially beneficial products, which is managed by the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce. Jessica Curry, the composer behind the CD set, has spent the last two years researching autism and new research within the field of music therapy, applying her skills and knowledge to the creation of a musical resource aimed specifically at helping those living on the autistic spectrum.

Connections contains over two hours of music in a wide variety of styles: pop, rap, dance, folk, country and simpler nursery rhyme songs. The second CD comprises of specially written relaxation tracks that can be used in conjunction with a sensory environment. The collection also includes two stories and a series of action rhymes to help develop motor, attention, memory and empathic skills.

Connections has been designed to be used in specialist or mainstream classrooms, or at home, and includes a comprehensive user guide to aid its use. Each track has been written to aid in the development of key skills, and has been subject to close scrutiny and practical testing at Hampshire Autistic Society school, Hope Lodge in Southampton. The final product has also been subject to independent review by Radlett Lodge School, Hertfordshire.

CD One

CD One contains 39 tracks. The first 18 are songs designed to be used in active sessions with the young people. The musical styles range from simple, nursery rhymes for younger children to more contemporary and complex arrangements for teenagers or more highly functioning young people. Each track has been designed to focus upon the development of a number of key skills, such as 'to develop co-ordination' or 'to encourage facial recognition'. In addition, a number of tracks are aimed at assisting the development of more social and emotionally orientated objectives such as 'encouraging participation'. Song range from specific, subject-orientated topics like Talk About the Weather and The Colours Game to more generic uses: Hello, Goodbye and Well Done You! Several of the songs are followed by instrumental versions, which allow teachers, parents and carers to adapt familiar songs to new lyrics and topics.

Also included on CD One are two stories, one with music and one spoken word. Both are designed to promote concentration and explore emotional and cognitive skills further. The first, Max and Mo deals with change and the frustration often felt when trying to encompass new and different situations. The second, Jimbo the Giant has been devised to provide opportunities for learning practical things such as the weather and names of days, but also promotes the ideas of friendship, emotional connectivity and sociability. Finally, the CD contains a series of Action Rhymes - simple, rhythmic tools designed to help build routines and assist in daily activities, such as mealtimes and moving from space to space.

CD Two

CD Two contains five tracks aimed at promoting calm and relaxation. Any of the tracks can be used as a relaxing daily routine, or they can be used at any time when a young person is feeling particularly stressed, aggressive or threatened. In other words, when they need some down-time alone or on a one-to-one basis. The tracks can also be used to accompany massage, physical or occupational therapy. The tracks are all between 10 and 20 minutes long. This means that the same mood can be sustained for a useful period of time, uninterrupted by the parent, carer or teacher having to leap up to change tracks. The tracks range from calming piano compositions to more contemporary chill-out synthesizer music.

User Guide

Connections includes a 52 page accompanying booklet, which provides ideas and suggestions for how to use the tracks. It includes lyrics to all the songs, plus suggested alternatives, where appropriate. Each track is discussed in terms of aims, equipment and guidelines for suggested use. There is also a special 'At home' section which makes additional suggestions for parents and carers, or for use in less formal settings. The words for the Action Rhymes and notes about the two stories are also included. A description of the tracks on CD Two and guidelines for creating a home sensory environment can be found at the back of the booklet.

The Team

Jessica Curry (composer) has ten years experience developing educational projects for children and young adults. Key to her work is the belief that music is a potent tool for enhancing learning and that it plays a vital role in supporting educators and therapists. She is married and has a son, Oscar.

Chris Curry (writer) has years of experience writing fact and fiction for page, stage and screen. A novelist, playwright, poet and script writer, she has worked extensively with people with learning difficulties and across the education sector.

Monica Fernandez (photography) has extensive experience as a digital photographer, community artist and educational practitioner. Currently the Director of Saffron Arts (Leicester), Fernandez has exhibited her work internationally and has worked with Curry on several schools projects in the past.

Design by Mark Watkins at LUCK,