Playing piano brings focus and joy to Long Island man with autism

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Jake Velocci of Massapequa, Long Island, feels most confident when he's playing piano. The 23-year-old has autism. But when it comes to music you'd never even know.

He is learning a different way using Occupational Octaves Piano. Program creator and teacher Lee Stockner translates the same notes found in traditional music using a user-friendly color-coded language and special rings.

And each time he tries his mom Judi watches and gets emotional. She says he is so focused when he is playing music.

The Occupational Octaves Piano method is being taught in countries as far as Bahrain. Locally, Lee hopes to introduce it to veterans to help what he calls the interrupted mind.

Jake says that when he plays piano he feels happy and proud. Jake has every reason to feel this way.