A high school student here started a program of music instruction--simple rythms and instruments for the special needs group at the high school. She had friends from the band help her--her theory was the skills taught in music would translate to academic improvements. Her group was too small and short lived to document much in the way of results but it did have the positive benefit of having the high schoolers interact with a group they hadn't much before. Last year one boy (Down's Syndrome) who had been in band for 4 years (trying his best to keep a beat on a drum) joined the band on the field for games and competitions. We actually had some adjudicators take off points for the "drummer in the pit" who couldn't stay on the beat, but we didn't care, the benefits to ALL involved outweighed the lost points. He had a fantastic time and positively beamed with pride when he was recognized at our competition with the other Seniors. We have another boy with Down's and a multiply challenged girl in our chorus.