![]() That’s just his thing.”Īllison and I have had many conversations about wanting to change the world in that way-of encouraging people to be more accepting of differences and the range of challenges that everyone has. Not every kid with autism has a musical ability like my kid. You can say a child is ‘autistic,’ but that has so many connotations. "It’s called a spectrum for a reason-there are high-functioning kids with autism, there are low-functioning kids with autism, there are kids with Asperger’s who can speak and hold jobs and carry on a conversation, and there are kids that are literally banging their heads against the wall. “I think a lot of people’s exposure of autism has come strictly from ‘Rainman,’ they think it’s counting toothpicks and hitting yourself in the head," she said. In turn, if the music and videos of Ethan help the world learn to relate to him and appreciate him for all the many facets of the individual he is, Allison will be thankful. But when he’s at the piano he’s that typical kid who can communicate with anyone through his music.” “He’s a typical kid around his sister, he’s a typical kid when he’s just with his parents. “When he’s with his family there’s a certain connection,” Allison explained. But when my son is at that piano, there is no child in this world that is happier to be who he is than my son.”īecause autism limits Ethan’s ability to communicate with others, his passion for music is something that helps him figure out how to relate with the world in a way that works for him. ![]() "He’s going to have limitations in his life, unless there’s a magic pill that makes him completely sociable and able to communicate with other people. “I have finally come to the place of, this is how my child is, this is how he reaches the world, this is how he moves people," Allison said. The autism factor in all of this is a complicated one, because in some ways it’s what makes people watch Ethan with even more wonder and hopefully learn how to be better people as a result but in other ways, autism is what sets Ethan apart. In talking with Allison about the ripple effect this one four-minute video has had, you start to peel back the layers of how she and Michael nurture and protect their son, of how they are taking in the reaction the world is having to Ethan’s amazing ability, and of how their son is making his mark on the world. The power of social media is unbelievable.” “That was pretty phenomenal to hear from Billy Joel. It’s been a heady experience for the whole Walmark family. And this kid plays with a lot more energy than me. Most amazing of all, Billy Joel himself raved about Ethan performing his signature song: “I think I like his intro better than mine. “I got three phone calls today telling me that they played Ethan’s video on satellite radio.” Of course, now the morning talk shows have come calling, wanting to book Ethan and his parents as guests. “It was out of control in 24 hours,” Allison said. It was picked up by Huffington Post,, AOL, CNN’s Headline News, msn.com, Glenn Beck’s, The Washington Post, and media sites in places as varied and far away as Israel, Nigeria, New Zealand, the UK and South Africa. More than 695,000 viewers found it similarly hypnotizing as of Monday, because that’s how many people have watched Ethan’s “Piano Man” performance on YouTube since Allison uploaded it Thursday.Įthan certainly went viral - the video spread from Facebook to Google+ to, and from there it exploded. That video became larger than life - or at least larger than Allison’s Facebook page. He cries out, “Sing it now!” to his teacher, and it’s clear Ethan is living and breathing his “Piano Man” moment. ![]() ![]() His performance is fun and masterful, as he plays and sings in a virtuoso show. Watching Ethan, it’s impossible not to get pulled in by his charismatic enthusiasm that’s at turns both little-boy and commanding musician.
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