| Discover Programs for Youth with Special Needs |
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YAH “Discover” Programs for Special Needs YAH Discover Programs were implemented in 2007 in response to community needs for specialized art programming for children with special needs and learning differences, such as Autism, ADHD, DownSyndrome and Cerebral Palsy amongst others. YAH’s customized special needs programs, focusing on increasing attention, and developing motor and verbal skills through interventional art curriculums made great strides in 2008-2009. Initial work at the Briarwood School supported by the McNair Foundation has led to the establishment of new multi year programs at Yates High School, where 23% of the student body are categorized as Special Needs, Dodson Elementary, and specialty schools such as the Rise School, Briarwood School, and Monarch School.
Interventional Music Curriculum Of special note was the planning and implementation of the customized “Music 4 Everyone” project at both Dodson Elementary and Helms Community Learning Center in 2009 -2010. This interventional music project designed to provide music activities to the special education students at low income schools also provides professional development training for the classroom teachers. After completing over 100 residency sessions and through a process evaluation, data shows participating teachers observed slight to significant increases in their student’s attention span, their ability to make and sustain eye contact longer, improved communication along with fine and gross motor development. This information helps YAH teaching artists and classroom teachers better understand and document best practices for implementing music and fine arts into existing curriculums designed for children with learning differences.
Art Residencies and Exhibition for Local Students with Special Needs The artist’s residencies and exhibit titled “Master Inspirations” presents the art of Houston area students from schools that serve children with learning differences and difficulties. Through the guidance of a YAH teaching artist(s) during the residencies, the students create works of art in various mediums from the study of a master’s work while also learning of the life and time of that master artist(s). Teachers are given the opportunity to learn strategies for integrating the arts in the classroom that as long term benefits. The exhibition presents the art of Houston area students from schools that serve children with learning differences and difficulties. It features works of art in various mediums from the study of a master’s work and serves as an outlet for creative self-expression and communication for these unique individuals. The exhibit also works to disseminate the latest information on Autism and raise the awareness of Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Local art fans can enjoy the creations of students from artists’ residencies at HISD and private schools in the Houston and surrounding area throughout the month of April (Autism Awareness Month), thanks to a partnership between HISD, Texas Southern University’s (TSU) Department of Human Services & Consumer Sciences, and the Young Audiences of Houston’s “Discover” program. The works remain on display from April 1st through April 30th and coincide with Autism Awareness Month (April).
Social Networking The YAH Discover program also shares information provided by both the DePelchin Children’s Center and the Univeristy of Houston-Clearlake Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities to provide artists, educators and families information concerning free and low cost training workshops in order to effectively help that work to his or her full potential.
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