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milosz gasior - defying autism with music
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How do you define talent? By the near-perfect performance of a pianist? Or by the effort that is put forth to achieve that special sound?
Milosz is an 18-year-old autistic musician who was diagnosed with severe to moderate autism when he was two and half years old. He did not utter a word until he was three years old. Although Milosz continues with his speech therapy, he struggles with his speech and comprehension, which negatively impacts any social interactions. Milosz requires one on one assistance to be able to participate in any activity at school and at home.
Imagine being told that your two-year-old has moderate to severe autism. Imagine being told by a school psychologist that your five-year-old’s IQ is zero. Now imagine looking at your 18-year-old playing the piano in front of audiences – Chopin, Mozart, or Bach – but still not be able to choose his socks. Milosz’s achievements on the piano are exceptional – all due to his hard work and unwavering support from his family and the Polish-American community where he is a frequent performing artist.
Our mission is to increase Milosz’s visibility and provide support so that he is able to meet his challenges and ensure his own success. At the same time, we want to highlight Milosz’s story to increase autism awareness among Polish-Americans and to provide encouragement to many other families who are challenged with raising an autistic child. If you would like to invite him to play at one of your events, please contact his mother, Bozena Gasior at bozenagasior@gmail.com
Autism is characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects about 1 in 54 children in the United States today.
Because of Milosz’s disability, Milosz is often lonely. Fortunately, he thrives on following a routine, and music seems to be an organized world for Milosz in which he finds refuge. His adventure with the piano started in the fourth grade where he found his passion, the piano, and music. He has been fervently practicing piano and he loves to play energetically for about 4 hours each day while also taking private piano lessons.
Because of Milosz’s disability, Milosz is often lonely. Fortunately, he thrives on following a routine, and music seems to be an organized world for Milosz in which he finds refuge. His adventure with the piano started in the fourth grade where he found his passion, the piano, and music. He has been fervently practicing piano and he loves to play energetically for about 4 hours each day while also taking private piano lessons.
Milosz was accepted into PCCA (Pinellas County Center for the Arts) at Gibbs High School - as their first autistic piano major student in the program’s 35 years history. .Now in the 11th grade, he has a cumulative weighted GPA is 4.00 with a class rank of 15th of 262 students. He is on his way to graduate with a standard high school diploma.He is a member of the Tri- M Music Honors Society and National Honors Society Pacemaker Chapter at Gibbs HS. Milosz was chosen to play in All-County Middle School Jazz Band in 2019. He was awarded an Outstanding Student Award by PHMS Jazz Band director in 2019.He participated in Florida Bandmasters Association’s Solo Assessments for the last four years and has always received Superior ratings.
Now in the 11th grade, he has a cumulative weighted GPA is 4.00 with a class rank of 15th of 262 students. He is on his way to graduate with a standard high school diploma. Maybe I should also mention that he is a member of Tri- M Music Honors Society and National Honors Society Pacemaker Chapter at Gibbs HS. (he will be a member of the latter officially on October 7th). The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute says that “compared to their peers with other types of disabilities, young adults with autism have the lowest rate of employment (only 58% of those on the autism spectrum ever have worked during their early 20s)." As his family, they are painfully aware of the odds that their son is facing.
His parents moved to the United States in 2001, where Milosz was born. His father is a software engineer at CSS and his mother is an adjunct professor at St. Pete College. He has an older brother.
Two great organizations have changed his life in a profound way- Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that gave him his service dog, Daria, and BAKAS Equestrian Center where Milosz has been horseback riding for many years.
Two great organizations have changed his life in a profound way- Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that gave him his service dog, Daria, and BAKAS Equestrian Center where Milosz has been horseback riding for many years.
If you would like to network, reach out, or simply offer support to this very special young man, please reach out to bozenagasior@gmail.com or aipctampabay@gmail.com