| In late 2009, award winning singer/songwriter, | | | | Autism Speaks Walk at Suffolk Downs. "All He |
| Aika Hirahara released a heartfelt single called "All | | | | Has To Say" (Autism Song), has gone from an |
| He Has To Say" (Autism Song). This song carries | | | | artistic expression to a full out campaign to |
| the listener through a mothers emotional journey | | | | spread awareness and raise money for those on |
| and realization of her one wish, to hear her son | | | | the autism spectrum. |
| speak. The piano ballad is beautifully arranged by | | | | Below is an excerpt of one of the verses: |
| Nicolas Farmakalidis with a piano, five string violin | | | | Where's the link we need? |
| and cello. | | | | That piece to make it whole |
| "All He Has to Say" (Autism Song) was originally a | | | | I need my little boy back |
| poem by Lea Bishop that was later crafted to | | | | I need what autism stole |
| one of the most sensational songs dedicated to | | | | A comment posted on facebook by Melissa |
| raising awareness about autism. Lea Bishop wrote | | | | Hughey Estes states, "Love the song but have |
| the poem that later became "All He Has to Say" | | | | only listened to it once. I cried like a baby. Tried |
| after an influential experience as a teacher | | | | listening to it again the other day but I had to turn |
| working with children on the autism spectrum. | | | | it off or cry again." |
| "There is an inextricable bond between teacher | | | | Aika Hirahara is the daughter of legendary |
| and students with autism," Lea Bishop explains. | | | | saxophone player Makoto Hirahara and sister of |
| "We were talking to the kids about their teacher | | | | Japanese pop star Ayaka Hirahara. Aikas' passion |
| leaving. Some of them are non-verbal or have | | | | for music led her to pursue her education at |
| difficulty with communication. We weren't sure | | | | Berklee College Of Music in Boston. |
| whether all of them understood that the teacher | | | | Approximately 1 in 91 children in the United States |
| wouldn't be coming back. But then one child got | | | | are born with the developmental disorder known |
| up from the circle and walked over to give her a | | | | as autism. A portion of the proceeds of this song |
| big hug. For me, that moment captured the | | | | go directly to benefit children and young adults |
| connection that exists between the child with | | | | with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The song is |
| autism and the world around him or her," Lea | | | | available at all major MP3 retailers including iTunes, |
| Bishop said. | | | | Amazon and Napster. You may also purchase the |
| Aika Hirahara performed her song in front of | | | | song by visiting AutismLyrics. |
| thousands of participants of the 2009 Boston | | | | |