Acoustic & Electronic Instruments, Musicians, News, Tutorials, Videos & Interesting Finds
Acoustic & Electronic Instruments, Musicians, News, Tutorials, Videos & Interesting Finds

Piano Wizard approved by Autism Hope Alliance

The popular Piano Wizard computer game system, designed to simply teach a user to play simple songs in just four steps, has been approved by the Autism Hope Alliance (AHA), gaining an “Autism Approved” seal.

AHA has pioneered the Autism Approved program, designed to highlight numerous products, materials, clothing, toys and other goods that meet a strict criteria to be deemed Autism community friendly.

The not-for-profit organisation was especially impressed by the story of Jed, a boy with such severe challenges he could barely speak, and could not even communicate enough to ask for a glass of water at 7 years old. Yet the color-coded simplicity and ease of the program enabled Jed in a little over two years to be able to complete the entire 100-lesson curriculum, with him now playing and reading complex sheet music like Bach and Beethoven at the piano.

More importantly, his comprehension, social, and language abilities improved dramatically, even allowing him to begin going to school with other children. Similar responses and testimonials from the ASD community came in to corroborate that something very powerful, effective and affordable was possible for a wide range of children.

“Through the use of Piano Wizard Academy, we believe Jed was able to experience the neuorplasticity effects on his brain development that scientists confirm can be derived through playing music, especially piano. Dozens of new studies indicate that it is music that has most likely stretched his brain and abilities so dramatically and positively.”

Autism affects 1 in 50 children in the US, and 1 in 3 boys. AHA’s president/chairman Kristin Selby Gonzalez, whose own son has the condition, said, “Music therapy and integration should be a part of any family’s options, and the Piano Wizard Academy makes that possible in a comprehensive, fun and affordable way. Music is very bonding, and we can all use a little more joy in our lives. When a child is engaged and excited, all things are possible.”

Piano Wizard Academy