Saturday marks the first “Rhythm is the Answer” community event to benefit children with autism. Lori Clifton, a mother of a 10-year-old boy with high-functioning Autism, is bringing the hand drum and dance communities together to teach autistic kids how to dance and drum for therapy and fun.
Clifton is working together with Just Danze, a new dance studio in the Highway 249 and FM1960 area, and Greg Powell, the founder and leader of Joy of Djembe Drumming, to kickstart this project on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Just Danze Studio. It is located at 18351 State Highway 249, Suite H in Houston.
When Clifton was a single parent, she was unable to afford specialized care or therapy for her autistic son. Now she wants to provide a fun event that parents can take their kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder to that offers a therapeutic benefit that is syncing the left and right hemispheres of their brains through music and dance. Sharing a common hobby helps the autistic community socially as well. Clifton said she hopes the first event will help them get past their limitations and have fun at the same time.
Rhythm is the Answer is a FREE event. Donations will be encouraged to promote future, free events, as well as possible drums and studio time for autistic youths.