Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder as we refer to it today, is described as a developmental disability that causes substantial impairments in social interaction and communication. One in sixty-eight children in America is diagnosed and boys are four times more likely to be affected than girls.
Signs of autism usually emerge within the first three years of life, and the cause is unknown. Autism is incurable- a lifelong condition, an irreversible brain disorder affecting over three million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. However, autism does not have to be a life sentence.
The Yes I Can program (YIC) was brought to the SCV in 1999 to help assist students with special needs. YIC spends the entire school year working with students with a wide spectrum of disabilities, pairing them up with mentors who can assist with teaching social and life skills. YIC spends a majority of the year working toward the common goal of planning, preparing and producing the annual Summer Meltdown Autism Awareness Arts and Music Festival. The program provides students with special needs opportunities to challenge them to work together and demonstrate the techniques they are being taught throughout the program, and this year is no different.
The students have been working alongside hired music professionals in the live entertainment industry to produce this year’s 12th Annual Summer Meltdown Festival on Saturday, April 25. This year will feature more than 37 professional musical acts, live interactive art, food trucks, vendors, professional BMX, skate demos, attractions and much more. Live performers will include Pepper, The Expendables, Nahko, The Movement, Daniel Bambaata Marley, Seedless, and many more. This is an all age event that will be held at the Santa Clarita Skate Park. Tickets are $25 for general admission through March 20th and after this date the ticket price will increase till the festival date. Come celebrate with our community at this year’s Festival. It will be a unifying experience you won’t forget, while helping provide opportunities for our youth while raising awareness for Autism. 
If you have an interest in helping in any way, contact the Summer Meltdown executive director, Bret Lieberman, at: blieberman@hartdistrict.org or call 661-252-6110 ext. 479. For more information or to purchase tickets to the Summer Meltdown, visit www.summermeltdownscv.com.