Residetns attending the anticipated sell-out musical celebration highlighting some of the most famous artists of the rock and roll era will get to hear a few remarks from a renowned autism researcher who is regarded as a rock star in her field as well.The Night of Too Many Stars at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.The Night of Too Many Starsaccompany "Weird Al" Yankovic on his Star Wars parody tune "Yoda." to Riverdance and Lord of the Dance stars Craig and Christine Ashurst and students from Dance Etc will also be performing.The Goal Of FUNCurrent Research UnveiledThe Newtown Bee recently, Dr Bauman discussed some of the latest research she is following.FUN on Facebook, online at familiesunitednewtown.org, or call 203-512-6284.

Margaret Bauman, MD, who has researched and worked with thousands of children on the autism spectrum in her decades-long career, will be the special guest May 14 as the local grassroots autism support group Families United in Newtown (FUN) host this year's Celebration of Rock & Roll Music, in The Great Room at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, beginning at 6 pm.

Newtown residents who love classic hits of the 1950s and 60s, and any parents or caregivers interested in hearing about some of the newest cutting-edge research Dr Bauman is doing, are encouraged to attend.

A car hop-style dinner will be served by Newtown High School National Honors Society students and other volunteers, featuring burgers (beef, turkey, or veggie) and fries from Butcher's Best, beverages from Coca-Cola, and Ferris Acres Creamery ice cream.

The event will feature the return of New Jersey's teenage YouTube sensation Jodi DiPiazza.

Katy Perry invited Jodi to perform a duet during Comedy Central's

Jodi began improvising piano at age 3 and started taking lessons at age 7 despite her struggle with autism spectrum disorder. In October 2012, pop star

In 2013, Jodi returned to

This weekend's FUN event will also feature the Newtown High School Chamber Choir, several talented community members, and other special guests, including gifted performers who are also on the autism spectrum.

Families United in Newtown was established by Newtown resident Linda Jones, who started fundraising in 2008 with a dream of providing recreational programs and respite for families with special needs children. One year later, following the death of her son and Newtown High School student Tyler, the program blossomed with the support of local National Honors Society students.

In October 2010 the group held its first monthly meeting in memory of Tyler, and has hosted regular meetings ever since.

The ultimate goal of FUN is to provide a recreational outlet for families with special needs children as well as promoting autism awareness. The May FUN meeting will be held during the concert on that Saturday evening with this year's group of National Honors Society students providing onsite care for attending special needs kids as well as other children during the show.

Dr Bauman is connected to FUN through her longstanding relationship with the Jones family, and her experience as a member of the medical team who cared for Tyler. A distinguished pediatric neurologist and research investigator, she has been a pioneer in the study and treatment of autism for the past quarter century.

According to her bio, Dr Bauman's dedicated career is best exemplified in her establishment and development of The Autism Research Foundation (TARF), The Autism Research Consortium (TARC), the Lurie Center for Autism and the Autism Treatment Network (ATN).

The Lurie Center for Autism is a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic program for children, adolescents, and adults with autism and associated neurological disorders founded by Dr Bauman in 1981 as LADDERS (Learning and Developmental Disabilities and Rehabilitation Services).

Under Dr Bauman's leadership, the Lurie Center for Autism has continued to expand its delivery of services to those on the autism spectrum, providing each patient with an individualized program from evaluation to an array of comprehensive services and treatments necessary to reach his/her maximum potential.

During a call-in to

"On the bench science side of life, we're working on a sensory processing project," Dr Bauman said. "A lot of kids and adults on the spectrum have difficulty with processing certain sensory information so they tend to be sensory seekers. Or there is avoidance - kids who avoid things like haircuts or scratchy tags on their shirts."

Along with colleagues at Duke University, Dr Bauman is hoping to identify the nerve structures that are related to sensory processing along with underlying biomechanical mechanisms with the hope of helping some of her patients with new treatments.

"On the clinical side, we're looking at a mitochondrial disorder. There's some recent data that suggests a subset of kids on the autism spectrum have this disorder," she said. "It's debatable whether that causes autism, but we've been trying to identify this subset and treat them with what we call a mitochondrial cocktail - a mix of substances that mitochondria respond to, much like gasoline in the engine."

She said the science is moving toward the realization that autism spectrum disorder is very heterogeneous.

"There are probably multiple ways you come to it, so it's very far from a one-size fits all situation, which makes it extremely challenging for diagnosis and remediation," Dr Bauman said. "Even if they are exhibiting the same behaviors, impaired social skills and delayed language, there are vast differences in how to come at treatment - what may work to help child A may not work for child B, C or D."

Dr Bauman said that while she is no expert in the role music plays in the lives of many on the spectrum, she does not deny music makes magic happen with many of these children.

"A lot of these kids are tremendously musical," she said. "I think it helps their language skills, it's very uplifting. I don't know what music does to their brain, but I love the idea that Linda and FUN are doing this. I like the way they are doing things in the community to support families, many of whom feel stigmatized when they are out in the community with their kids; FUN is a wonderful model for integrating these kids into the community."

The dinner and entertainment tickets are $25. For anyone wishing to support the cause who cannot attend the event, donations are also graciously accepted online or by mail.

Send checks and ticket orders to FUN, 16 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook CT 06482. For more information or to attend a future FUN gathering, find

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