For months now, I've heard kids singing Let It Go: in the mall sitting area, at birthday parties, at Girl Scout events. The little girls always sound so adorable when they belt out "Can't hold it back anymore!" I never get tired of hearing them or, of course, Idina Menzel.
Max isn't a kid who bursts into spontaneous song; it's not in his repertoire of abilities. But for years now, he's gotten music therapy, and he's been known to sing words he can't yet speak. The therapists have put Max's obsessions to good use—they've created sing-along songs about Lightning McQueen, the color purple, a Disney Cruise we went on and his beloved Cars 2 piñata.
Max's current music therapist, Amanda, has been trying new songs with him. I'm usually at the office when she's at the house, but she shares videos. When I got home from work one day and opened an email from her, holy wow, there was Max singing Let It Go. With feeling.
Some people might listen and think that Max is just "trying" to sing.
To them I'd say, change your definition of singing.
A few weeks ago, I was in my bedroom on a Saturday morning and heard singing coming from downstairs. It was Max, singing along to the YouTube video of Let It Go. That was the first time I ever heard him singing on his own, and if I were in a Disney movie there would have been a swirl of glitter surrounding me, in my ebullience, and perhaps bluebirds dancing around my head. Oh, wait, that's Snow White.
Then his teacher sent an email from school saying that Max was loving the Frozen karaoke app another student had on her iPad. I downloaded it. And, whoa: The singing floodgates have opened up.
Max now sits and sings along to all the songs from Frozen, as often as he can. Sometimes, both kids hang on the couch and sing together, then they play back the recordings and giggle.
Max loves to sit in his room and sing karaoke Let It Go. He's been singing for his teacher and therapists at school. If you visited our house, he'd ask you to sit next to him on the couch so he could sing Let It Go for you.
Can't hold him back anymore.
Ellen,
ReplyDeleteI’ve written before, anonymously (I’m shy), based on my training in cognitive neuropsychology and linguistics, and pointed out early signs of Max’s eventual achievements: Remember the comment about Max starting to speak in sentences, based on his combining a gesture for “fall down” with a spoken word for “tree”? And later, conjugating a verb (“crying”), which you called a gerund? Also, his understanding of complex scenarios, based on his wanting to use air freshener in the bathroom because you’d established it as part of the routine (not, as you thought, because he was developing a welcome interest in housekeeping)?
And look at him now! I mean, hey, did I call it, or what? So even though I have zero experience with CP, I don’t feel totally out of line commenting. Here’s what strikes me now: Max really understands, and can physically express, rhythmic structure. He joins in singing right on the beat—no lagging, no jumping the gun. (Sometimes he’s on pitch, sometimes he isn’t.) There are people without neuromuscular issues who can’t do this. I’m wondering if this could be used therapeutically in other settings—say, working on a sequence of motor activities (eating, dressing, whatever) by setting each motion (picking up a utensil, putting his arm in a sleeve) to a song and/or rhythmic clapping game. Rhythmic musical structure allows Max to anticipate what’s supposed to happen next, and he’s really impressive at matching it with his voice. I’ve no idea whether he could do something similar with the rest of his body, but I thought I’d throw out the idea.
--Phyl
So glad to get your insights. Yes, Max has rhythm down pat, and now you've got me thinking about ways to put that to use in other parts of his life. You know, like mopping. He he. Thanks for once again sharing your wisdom.
DeleteLet It Go is my absolute favorite song on the Frozen soundtrack, and to see Max singing it made my heart melt (pun not intended). He is so stinking adorable.
ReplyDeleteMusic and speech go hand in hand most of the time. One of the kids with autism I know became obsessed with and memorized the words to We Are Young by fun. (inappropriate, I know), before he was speaking in full sentences. His speech therapist worked on finding words to the song to turn into use of everyday sentences. They eventually ended up changing the whole meaning of the song and it is now about him shopping at Walmart.
Nate and I are clapping for Max!
ReplyDeleteGood job Max!
ReplyDeleteOk, so this is the first time I actually enjoyed this song! Awesome job, Max!
ReplyDeleteYAY MAX!!!
ReplyDeleteOk here's the deal: I've seen umpteen versions of this song, on youtube, on facebook, whatever. I am SO OVER the Frozen soundtrack. It's a beautiful song that has been mangled in my mind by too many memories of pre-teen voices singing it. (The climax for my hatred came when I chaperoned a fieldtrip for my first grade daughter, and the entire bus screeched out that song for the whole ride. Sheesh.) So I have not been loving it when people post versions of this song that they like on youtube.
ReplyDeleteThat is, until now.
This, I must say, was the most beautiful rendition of this song - possibly EVER. I love it again! Thanks for sharing.
Max, keep on rocking! You got it, kid!
I also think it's the best version ever although I am just a leetle bit biased. am going to tell Max how much everyone likes his singing!
DeleteJust in tears here! You're rocking it Max! This is the most beautiful version I think I've ever heard.
ReplyDeleteEllen....
ReplyDelete"Let It Go" is, in every way, shape, and form, MY song!! Especially this part. "It's time to see what I can do; To test the limits and break through; No right, no wrong, no rules for me; I'm free!" That is exactly how writing fictional children's books makes me feel!! Exactly how writing fictional children's books makes me feel. ;)
I have the lyrics to "Let It Go" memorized word for word. But I must admit. That is one challenging song!! I often find myself mixing up its lyrics!! Good job Max!! And nice work, Amanda!! Max did indeed sing it with feel!! ;-D
Love you later, Raelyn
I can't even sing that song! And yes, Amanda also rocks.
DeleteI played Let it Go on the flute for a recital. It's like I was the queen of ice herself. I wrote a rock climbing parody of Let it Go called Grip the Holds.
ReplyDeleteThe Story Behind It: Petra has Chris Sharma's power and Alex Honnold's endurance and is afraid of the stigma surround climber culture in her area. However, she decided that today was a good day to free-solo away from fear.
Very cool and creative, Anna.
DeleteMax has a great voice, even if he has trouble pronouncing the words every time. He still follows the rhythm very well and does pretty darn good keeping to the melody. Maybe he can be a Rockstar Fireman some day! Keep practicing, Max! Your determination makes you one of my heroes... I don't have to tell you this cause I know you never would , but! NEVER GIVE UP! Show the whole world what you can do , and forget anyone who says you can't. You, your family, and all of your friends here, we know better. We know you can and will do whatever you want, and then those doubters? You can tell them that they are the ones who can't, because they couldn't believe, and they're the quitters, because unlike you, they gave up. Never feel sorry for yourself because of those people, Max, not ever. Feel sorry for them for being too blind to see you, and how awesome you are, and will always be. I live far away in Oklahoma, but someday, I want to meet you, and your mom and dad and sister, and when that finally happens, we will all sing together, as loud as we want. And it will be so much fun. :)
ReplyDeleteRockstar Fireman: There you go, his stage name! Thanks for words of encouragement. Max just keeps on keeping on--he knows no different.
DeleteLet it go, Let it go.
ReplyDeleteNothing holds me back anymore.
Let it go, Let it go.
I will open every door.
I don't care what the ableists think.
Let the hate rage on.
Your stares never bothered me anyway.
L-O-V-E.
DeleteAnonymous....
DeleteWow. Just. Wow!! That is all I can write about this version of "Let It Go"!! I love, love, love it!! You have {practically!!} made this writer--me--speechless!! ;)
Love you later, Raelyn
Just tears flowing... Precious beyond words! I love when Nichole sings in church; joining in as the sermon is given a little less, but always amazed when, where and how our kids find a way to shine...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Max! The most beautiful version of this song I've ever heard, full of your own artistic interpretation and the emotions that music brings out in you. I have a program of arts education for children and adults with special needs and have seen some incredible performances in my day, but yours is at the top of my list of fans! Tell your mom thanks for sharing your performance with all your fans!
ReplyDeleteEllen, sitting across the ocean, feeling like a distant friend because we shared a meal and taxi ride together, chatting about this music therapy and Max, I have tears in my eyes, of sheer pride watching this clip. Oh this is utterly wonderful. And oh how I'd love a therapist with this much enthusiasm in Natty's life.
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you all. Hayley (from Belfast)