Supporting the Music Therapy Program At The Gil Special Education School in Tel Aviv, Israel

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1 Supporting Youth with Autism Supporting the Music Therapy Program At The Gil Special Education School in Tel Aviv, Israel THE TEL AVIV-YAFO FOUNDATION Meeting the evolving needs of the City of Tel Aviv with the establishment of social services, educational, cultural and environmental projects.

2 The Gil Special Education School in Tel Aviv, Israel THE GIL SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL lesson that build independence skills, self awareness, vocational know-how, and appropriate social interaction capabilities. Profile of School Pupils (3 levels) * High Functioning-pupils display a high level of functional independence and multi-dimensional communication skills. Student has a meaningful connection with his / her social surroundings. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Gil Special Education School was established in 1995 as a regional educational facility for students with autism who live in Tel Aviv-Yafo and the surrounding Dan metropolis area. The number of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders has rapidly risen over the past decade worldwide. Autism, a complex neuro-biological disability that belongs to the Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD) category, is usually characterized by difficulty communicating ideas and feelings, understanding language, relating to others and living according to societal norms. The Gil Special Education School educates and serves 103 students between the ages of 10 and 21. Over the past 5 years, the school student population has doubled in size. Individualized education and social skills building plans are designed to meet the unique needs of each student. The school is open 11 months per year, six days a week, with extended hours to ease the burden on families. Students also receive a hot meal on site daily. The majority of pupils reside at home with parents or foster families and are bused to school daily. The school's curriculum is based on a holistic philosophy that provides the core academic, social, and life skills needed by students to achieve their highest potential and develop into productive citizens in their communities. The life skills program is based on the principle of communal inclusion. This is implemented through * Mid Level- pupils display a mediocre level of functional independence and multi dimensional communications skills. * Low functioning- pupils display a low level of functional independence and multi dimensional communication skills. They require concrete and sensory motor stimuli in order to connect to their surrounding environment. THE NEED: Music therapy has become a successful therapeutic tool used to treat adolescence with autism. The therapy aims to use instruments and songs to promote self-awareness, behavioral norms, explore emotional expression through loud and soft sounds, and improve socialization skills. Children with autism do not engage in "normal" social activities, music therapy provides them the opportunity to express themselves through a unique communication tool. Children with autism respond to music by communicating through song or sound. For some students, this is their most effective form of communication. In order to adequately support the unique needs of students with autism and meet the standards of a proper therapeutic program, the staff of the Gil School has implemented a successful music therapy program. Here, students learn to control their movement, increase their focus and attention, interact in small groups, and utilize a functional communication outlet. The school desperately requires musical instruments to improve the program and provide students with communication and therapeutic tools they require.

3 EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THE MUSIC ROOM STUDIO: 5 unites of Yamaha PSR-E423 (NIS 2018 each X 5 = NIS 10090) $2, Darbuka (NIS 385 each X10 = NIS 3850) $1,040 6 Kabasa (NIS 176 each X 6 = NIS 1056) $ Guiro ( NIS 77 each X 6 + NIS 462) $ 125

4 12 Various Percussion instruments (NIS 100 each X 12 = NIS 1200) $ 324 Congo drums (NIS 1150) $ 311 Portable entertainment center and synthesizer (NIS 3900) $ 1,054 Earth Gong (NIS 6600) $1,784 Accordion Bravo III 80 Black (NIS 7500) $2,027 Requested Donation $9,677 The donors will be recognized with a wall plaque predominantly placed in the new music therapy studio

5 About the Tel Aviv Foundation The Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation, chaired by Mayor Ron Huldai, partners with donors from around the world to meet the evolving needs of the City of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation has generated momentum to the city and proudly serves as a beacon of progress, elevating the city s quality of life through education, the arts, sports, social services, and the environment. Responsive and purposeful, the Foundation provides for the needy and creates opportunities for a better future for all the residents of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The Foundation was founded in 1977 and has established more than 500 projects to date, raising over $400 million worldwide. By matching contributions dollar-for-dollar and by allowing donors to designate their funds, the Foundation ensures accountability, promotes collaboration between donor and recipient, and strengthens the bond between the Diaspora and Israel. To learn more about the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation please visit: