Here at Panyard, we know that music in general is powerful. We are especially passionate about the sounds of the steel pan, and we love learning that we’re not alone. We connected with Angela and Ben Blanchet, a mother and son duo who have an incredible story to share.
Ben was diagnosed with autism when he was around 2 years old. According to his mother Angela, he didn’t have language until he was around 7. When he was 3, though, Ben’s aunt gave the family a keyboard that came with preloaded songs.
“You press the song bank, and the lights light up, allowing Ben to watch the keyboard play,” Angela said. “He’d take his finger and trace them, then play the song.”
After only a short time, Ben would play the melody of songs he heard on the radio. Angela was advised to put stickers on the piano that had the letters of the notes Ben was playing when was around 5. It was a decision that changed both of their lives.
“When Ben did get speech, he would start saying things like, ‘No laughing in G sharp,’ or ‘The doorbell goes D-C,’” she said, describing how Ben recognized which notes he was hearing. “Anything he hears has a pitch.”
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