Please Help Severely Autistic and Cognitively Delayed Children Expand Their Musical Horizons.
The cost of the Keyboard is $229, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
I am a music teacher in a New York City public school that serves middle and high school aged students facing many challenges including autism, physical disabilities, language delays and cognitive delays.
In order to help these students participate fully in my classes and feel successful, I use a special musical keyboard where the individual keys light up when programmed appropriately. When a song is selected, the keys light up in the correct sequence and the student is able to touch the lighted key and play the song successfully. This activity helps the student develop necessary skills such as focusing, attention to task, following directions and fine motor skills. Some students have learned to do this independently, other students will succeed with verbal and/or physical prompting.
Meanwhile the other students learn important skills such as appropriate audience behavior.
Skills such as those cited above can then be transferred to other settings.
After the "performance" we of course applaud and praise - which does wonders for the student's self-esteem.
The keyboard I am using is starting to "die." I therefore am hoping that with your help I can obtain a new one.
Thank you for whatever help you can give.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Tetenbaum and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.