Sunstock Musicfest Benefits Autism and Education

First annual Charleston event hosts four local bands for a new local cause

Charleston, S.C. (May 3, 2011) – The Pink Tower, a non-profit that sponsors a unique Montessori education and therapy program for children with Autism, today announced its first annual event, Sunstock Musicfest, on May 22 at Lowndes Grove Plantation in Charleston.  This event brings the local community together for an afternoon of family fun, food and music in support of The Pink Tower’s efforts in the Lowcountry. The Pink Tower was founded to provide funds for an integrated Montessori education and therapy support program for children with Autism.  

Sunstock Musicfest will open its gates at 12:30 PM and the bands will play from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM with music by the V Tones, Butterbeans, Fowlers Mustache and Hundred Hands Down.   Local food trucks will offer their specialty food for purchase and include Roti-Rolls, Hello my name is BBQ, Happy Camper Snoballs and Jack’s Cosmic Dogs.  Tickets are $15 per person and children under 10 are free. 

Please visit http://thepinktower.eventbrite.com/ to purchase tickets for the event.   All ticket proceeds directly benefit The Pink Tower and will provide funds for children in the 2011/12 Montessori education and therapy program.   For more information visit us on Facebook or at www.thepinktower.org.

Special thanks to the bands and food trucks for their participation and to all those in support of The Pink Tower and Sunstock:  Patrick Properties Hospitality Group, Tresys Technologies, Parker Poe, RuYoga Design, Technical Event Company, Pediatric Rehabilitation Center with East Cooper Medical Center, Engage Strategies, Nature’s Calling, Inc., Fisher Recycling and Art by Austin.

Additional Information About The Pink Tower, Autism and Montessori

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that hinders a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the U.S., and one in 70 boys. The Center for Disease Control has categorized Autism as a national health concern with no known cure.

In South Carolina alone, the number of children with Autism has doubled since 2003. 

All evidence points to the fact that early ‘skilled’ intervention for these children means they can live dramatically different, more independent and fulfilling adult lives.  Like most states, South Carolina recognizes the importance of early intervention and offers various programs from birth through school age.  However, these programs are subject to budget issues and fall short of serving all families in need, leaving hundreds of children on the ‘waiting list’ for critical services.  

While the philosophy of Montessori education has been around for a century, its approach is more relevant today than ever. This is clearly evident in the growth of Montessori across the public and private school sectors, both nationally and globally.   More specifically, it:

·       Offers a scientifically proven method with origins in special needs

·       Spots developmental challenges early when its most critical for intervention

·       Provides a predictable, yet flexible, routine

·       Integrates, rather than segregates, children that have challenges

·       Uses sensorial, tactile and visual learning to stimulate all areas of the brain

·       Provides an individualized learning program based on a child’s needs

Montessori’s approach to learning is self-directed, which instills a confident sense of self and skills that prepare children for later in life.  More and more evidence of this scientific, brain-based approach to learning clearly maps to the vision of education for the future. 

The Pink Tower helps support education for children with learning differences

Welcome to the first blog post of The Pink Tower.  This blog will highlight the ongoing issues related to education and learning differences in children, particularly children on the autism spectrum.  While the number of children with developmental and learning challenges continues to rise dramatically, our public and private education systems are unable to effectively accommodate them.  All evidence points to the fact that early intervention for these children makes a difference in the long term quality of their lives.  Without it, many of these children are ill equipped to learn and fit into mainstream educational programs, in many cases leaving them unable to live independent adult lives.  With ‘skilled’ intervention these children can live dramatically different, more independent and fulfilling adult lives.

While South Carolina recognizes the importance of early intervention and the need for special support programs, these services fall short of the need.  At their best, these programs provide limited support in and out of the classroom setting and do little to prepare mainstream schools and teachers for educating children with special needs.  These programs are also subject to budget issues and often fall short of accommodating all families in need,  leaving many children on the ‘waiting list’ for critical services.   

The Pink Tower was set up to help families, teachers, and schools in this situation, providing funds for Montessori tuition, skilled support services, and teacher education where needed.   www.thepinktower.org