Six-year-old Alexandra Bevan, of Rockwall County, is one young lady making huge strides along the way. Music helps her tune in to talking. The first grader swells with personality.
"It's just pure joy to see her just light up," said board certified music therapist Kasey Cummings.
Alexandra lights up during her weekly music therapy sessions at Sense-Able Gym in Garland. There she responds to questions sung not spoken.
"A lot of the traditional ways of education, they don't always work for kids with Williams Syndrome," Cummings said.
Music motivates her.
"A lot of teachers and school leaders don't really understand the benefits that it can bring," explained Alexandra's mother, Gentry Bevan.
"She wasn't spelling her name, and she learned a song and now knows how to spell her name," she exclaimed.
What makes her daughter special and extremely outgoing is Williams Syndrome.
"They are super friendly and no judging," said Bevan of Williams' kids.
About 25 out of 25,000 genes are missing from the middle of the seventh chromosome. A geneticist diagnosed Alexandra at 8 months old.
"When you're put in a situation where you're not planning on, it shakes your world a little bit and she's just taught us to enjoy life," said Bevan. "She does. Why can't we?"
Her daughter had a big breakthrough at age three. "We just started to notice that she gets the beat," she said.
Alexandra's fine motor skills started improving proving the power of music.
"Doesn't music just make you happy," said Bevan with a smile.
She's happy knowing a few simple lyrics can make a monumental difference in a little girl who doesn't mind living life to a beat of her own.
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