Autistic Boy is a Human IPod

An autistic boy who is blind and can barely speak has earned the nickname the 'human iPod' because of his piano playing abilities.

Derek Paravicini began playing the piano when he was two and started performing at the age of four, demonstrating his extraordinary ability to hear, remember and play all the music he encounters.

"For Derek music isn't just a hobby, it's a lifeline - it's his way of communicating with the world, of interrelating with other people and above all of making them happy" - Adam Ockleford
His mentor is Adam Ockleford, who said: "Derek and I first met when he was little - he was about four and a half. He just broke away from his parents and pushed a little girl off the piano and played Don't Cry For Me Argentina."

Born three months premature and weighing just one and a half pounds. Derek grew up blind and severely autistic, but these disabilities have probably led to his musical gift.

"We think that because he can't see and doesn't understand a lot of what is going on, other parts of his brain have got used for making music - so he's got a sort of musical factory up there," Mr Ockleford said.

He continued: "For Derek music isn't just a hobby, it's a lifeline - it's his way of communicating with the world, of interrelating with other people and above all of making them happy. He likes to make people happy and he knows he can do that through his music."