Music/art program set for children with autism

Parent/child workshops in music and art for children with autism or autistic behaviors will be held on Saturdays, Oct. 5-Dec. 14, at Rutgers University and at Elks Lodge No. 324, both New Brunswick.

The program, now in its 19th year, is sponsored by VSA arts of New Jersey (VSA/NJ), a nonprofit statewide organization dedicated to providing accessible arts opportunities to children and adults with disabilities, and is presented in cooperation with the Visual Arts Department of Rutgers University.

The 10 weekly sessions will provide young people with experiences in music and art that will serve as an introduction to the arts while helping to develop communication, social and cognitive skills. The arts provide an ideal medium for developing and retaining a wide array of skills for children with autism.

Young people ages 3-17 are welcome to participate. Classes are free of charge. Registration will be accepted on a first-come basis; deadline is Sept. 17.

VSA/NJ is cosponsored by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission.

VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

For information and an application, contact Karen Singer, VSA arts of New Jersey, 703 Jersey Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901; telephone (732) 745-3885 or (732) 745-5935; TTY (732) 745-3913.