I also recommend the Hidden Curriculum book. I had our older son read it so he could suggest specific tips for Sayer, but may agenda was for him to read it so he could take in all the information himself - tricky, eh? Sorta like hiding pills in apple sauce, autism spectrum version.

Also, there is a Hidden Curriculum “day-by-day” calendar that Sayer’s teacher has - who knew?

Anyway, the two most important links were these: http://www.autismlink.com/services?page=8 - find music therapy service near you
http://www.mar-amta.org/ - You’re in the mid-atlantic region for the American Music Therapist’s Association.

I also put those two links up on my website. It’s about time that I started extending the music therapy links on my site.

Have you heard back from the AMTA yet?

You know me and research . . . I just have a knack for it. I did a little poking for you.

Here’s a website that provides MT services for NJ, PA and FL (of all places, because I think of Florida in conjunction with Pennsylvania always) *rolls eyes*: http://www.tempotherapy.com/

Also, this is the comprehensive list of internship sites. I don’t know exactly where you are, but I saw at least one in your state focusing on autism and other associated dxes. Granted, these aren’t the only services in PA, just the ones with internship sites. But maybe I could apply for PA when my time comes around and then have a ready made family. http://www.musictherapy.org/handbook/internship.html

The letters (more letters lol) - that you want them to have on their names are “MT-BC.” Music therapist-Board Certified. It’s a strenuous certification process with over a hundred different competency areas.

Plus, Temple University is the only school in the US that offers the doctoral degree in MT. Another thing that might be helpful for you to know is that you are in the mid-Atlantic region of the US music therapist map.

Random fact - Department of Aging Waiver program allows Medicaid payment for music therapy provided in a community based setting. Music therapy is listed under health and mental health related counseling services.

Ah, here’s the jackpot. Avoid the places with listings also for DAN doctors though (chelation crap): http://www.autismlink.com/services/index/location_id:39/service_support_type_id:15

This is link is actually for people looking for jobs, but I bet you could contact the lady and ask the same sort of questions we’ve been discussing: http://www.mar-amta.org/pa_news.html

And then there’s http://www.paontheweb.com.

Hope something comes up.

Freaks, Geeks & Asperger Syndrome: A User’s Guide to Adolescence by Luke Jackson (This is a practical guide for many
social situations, including bullying, written by a boy with Asperger’s)

Books (for adults/parents to use) for working on social skills, perspective taking, reading emotions etc.:

Navigating the Social World: A Curriculum for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, & Related Disorders By Jeanette McAfee

Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome & Social Communication Problems by Jed Baker.

as well as the name of an art therapist for Little Miss. Comments on any of the above are welcome, y’all.

(and get your degree already, V, so you can come teach Little Miss!!!!!!!)

Hearing you mention the drugs made me think of Alice . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quhj6PEboCU

As for the kids “playing” with C.O.–well, suffice it to say, that pisses the hell out of me. This is why I’m going to become a music therapist. I’m going to be the one to give a damn; to understand the related problems of the spectrum; to do something different.

Did you toss out some websites to the autism lady?