Schools

Northville Businesses Help Build Autism Music Program

Thornton Creek Elementary's Sprouts autism program is raising funds for music and art therapy.

April is Autism Awareness Month and there are efforts happening right here in Northville to bring attention to the needs of children with autism.

Chocolates by Renee in downtown Northville created a specialty chocolate in honor of Autism Awareness Month, and $1 from each sale of the chocolate will benefit Thornton Creek Elementary's Sprouts Autism K-5 program.

Northville resident and Sprouts mom Laurie Kondek said the goal is to add permanent art and music therapy for the children in the Sprouts program.

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"We have seven severely autistic children in Sprouts," she said. "There are many more autistic children in Northville schools."

The Sprouts program targets communication and socialization challenges associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder and students receive speech and occupational therapy, according to Sprouts teacher Kate Colaluca.

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Kondek's son is in the Sprouts program and was diagnosed with autism two and half years ago.

"We moved to Northville for the Sprouts program," she said.

She said she spoke with her son's teacher about adding new types of therapy. A music therapist from the Autism Collaborative Center at Easter Michigan University started in January and works with the students, Kondek said, for which the parents paid out-of-pocket.

"We want to build a more comprehensive program," she said.

The specialty chocolates are $3.95 and will be available all of April. Visitors to Chocolate by Renee will also notice a watercolor painting in the front window display dedicated to the Sprouts program. Kondek commissioned artist Lisa Richter to create a piece to symbolize the Sprouts motto. Find out more here.

"It's our first year doing this, and the local merchants and businesses have been very supportive," she said.

In addition to the chocolate sales and from the generosity of some of those local merchants, there will be a "Cabaret for a Cause" benefit dinner April 11 at Genitti's Hole-In-The-Wall restaurant and theater in downtown Northville. The first $1,000 donated will be matched by the Northville Educational Foundation.

There will also be a silent auction including Red Wings tickets, professional photography package, spa package, gift certificates by local restaurants and Main Street Massage and art by local artists. Find out more here.


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