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‘Arts for Healing’ shows the power of music

Arts for Healing shows the power of music

“Arts For Healing” works with children with autism who struggle to express themselves by offering music as a way to enhance cognitive functioning. On Monday, Oct. 21, Karen Nisenson, founder and director of “Arts For Healing”  visited the Westport Public Library to give a presentation on her program.

The information presented by Nisenson added to the knowledge of Staples students who have studied the brains of autistic children in Linda McClary’s Child Development course. A number of Staples students were in attendance because of interest in how music can be utilized in the growth of a child’s brain.

During her presentation, Nisenson called up a volunteer to play the piano with her at the same time, “to show how kids are able to connect and communicate through the music,” said Nisenson. Nisenson described her experiment as a way to show how, “the kids establish pure expression and communication by letting go of structure and playing abstractly.”

Nisenson has studied Stanley Greenspan, a Harvard University doctor, who led the studies of a child’s six stages of development. “Through arts, you can have explorations that replace stages,” said Nisenson.

Many autistic kids can go years still in the babbling phase, so Nisenson uses music to help kids struggling with forming words, phrases and sentences.

Nisenson stated that the integration of music into the lives of struggling kids, “allows the children to let go.”

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Mat Jacowleff, Director of Social Media
On the football field, Mat Jacowleff ‘15 is unstoppable. He is a ferocious linebacker, a boisterous leader, and a loyal teammate. To Jacowleff, football is more than a sport, it is a passion. After nine years of hard work and dedication, Jacowleff has worked himself into a position as not only one of the starters on the Staples varsity squad, but as one of the four captains as well. About this role, Jacowleff stated, “I’ve always been a leader, so I really enjoy being a captain.” Off the field, Jacowleff is one of the social media editors for Inklings. His favorite subjects include English and journalism. “I love journalism because it’s a mix of writing and talking to new, interesting people,” explained Jacowleff. Next year, when Jacowleff ventures to college, he hopes to study something that involves writing, so a journalistic career could be in store in just a few short years. Academics and football are not the only things that attract Jacowleff, as he runs a May-September wiffle-ball league consisting of his neighbors and close friends. The league is quite serious and has been going on for a few years now, with a website containing career statistics, including batting average and home-runs. Jacowleff is also a baby-sitter, having some very interesting experiences, including a time when it was just him and five unrelated small children. As a brother, son, teammate, student and journalist, Jacowleff is always on the lookout for new and exciting experiences. He foresees success in his senior year, both with and without a football helmet on.

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