The Canyon Rocks for Autism

Concert-goers at the Canyon Club rocked out in the name of autism on Wednesday night. Grammy winner Brad Davis, American Idol's Chris Golightly, and jazz musician Mindi Abair were among the musical luminaries helping Autism Movement Therapy, Inc. raise money to provide service dogs for children in need.

"There's nothing like a dog," said Joanne Lara, former professional dancer, "Rock for Autism" coordinator, and the organization's founder. "Not many have them though, because the dogs cost $13,000 and these families are already paying out of pocket for a lot of other services for the children. They don't have the money to supplement."

Funds for Autism Service Dogs of America to aid children with communication, companionship and everyday safety were raised through tickets, sponsors, and raffle prizes, including CDs, t-shirts, and tickets to the Headliner's Comedy Club in Thousand Oaks. Higher priced items were bid on in a silent auction, such as a Takamine acoustic-electric guitar and a Gretsch chrome snare drum autographed by Billy Bob Thornton and guitarist Brad Davis.

"These kids are little iron giants. They have a lot of creativity inside of them and a lot of potential," said Davis before launching into his original song, "This World Ain't No Child."

Autism Movement Therapy focuses on helping autistic children meet their speech, language, social and academic goals. Serving autism research, environmental reform, and community outreach, the nonprofit organization allows children to learn through all different modalities, while allowing them to have fun with music, dance, and improvisation, according to Lara.

"Dance and music force the brain to reorganize itself," said Lara. "Through the music and movement, the individual is being asked to hear the music, process the sequence and the patterns, and then dance. It takes both sides of the brain to dance." 

While the house band, The Vibe Tribe, performed rock-and-roll favorites, the children and their parents took to the dance floor practicing what they had learned in Autism Movement Therapy.

One enthusiastic 6-year-old named Julian rushed up onto the stage to join his mother, Susan Sheller. "How about a hand for my son?" Sheller said with a smile after singing along with him. 

"Without dance and music, we have nothing in life," said Lara, as she joined the audience on the dance floor. "The essence of what life is about is music."

"Rock for Autism" will be performed again next month on Wednesday, August 11, at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills.