Music for Neurodivergent Kids and ADHD

JP Rende and Kat Raio-Rende
Photo: earwormny.com

Emmy Award-winning composers JP Rende and Kat Raio-Rende have released "Nothing Rhymes with Orange". The album supports neurodivergent children with a musical tool to help them navigate life. "Nothing Rhymes with Orange" is released through the couple's project "Aidee", which supports children with ADHD.

"Nothing Rhymes with Orange" and Aidee

"Aidee's World"
photo: Jolly Good Communications

"Aidee" is a fictional character created by the JP and Kat, who were inspired by their own experience of raising two children who were diagnosed with ADHD. Aidee and her catchy music empowers children by providing them with a helpful tool which incorporates movement and visual storytelling. She is an eight-year-old girl with a big imagination and even bigger heart. Aidee meets challenges with wonder and curiosity, although she often needs some reminders to stay on task. Aidee doesn't see ADHD as a limitation, but rather a chance to think creatively and approach life in ways she wouldn't ne able to if she were neurotypical.

"Nothing Rhymes with Orange" is a blueprint into Aidee's creative mind. featuring "brain hacks" which help her navigate the world in her own unique way.

The lead single from the album, "Anything Else", was released on August 22, and Aidee's work has already been well-received by families, educators , and therapists, offering catchy songs that help kids visualize routines, regulate their emotions, and embrace and celebrate their unique strengths.

JP and Kat's album aims to give parents, teachers, and caregivers another tool to connect with children in positive, practical ways with songs about subjects such as breath work and learning to understand their feelings.

The Power of Music

"Music can do more than entertain," Kat explains. "It can transform how children feel about themselves and the world around them."

The couple's journey to creating Aidee began close to home. When both of their children were diagnosed with ADHD, JP and Kat set out to create tools to help neurodivergent kids navigate everyday challenges with confidence and joy. When a playful song they wrote inspired their daughter to put her coat away for the first time without prompting, they knew they had discovered something powerful that could help not only their own family, but a generation of neurodiverse children.

"As a parent, you love and embrace your kids for the unique individuals they are and support them in the best possible way and having found something which helped our own kids, we wanted to share it with other families. Parenting can be a challenge at times, but, like music, it also brings great joy," Kat said.

"ADHD is so often looked as a deficit rather than a creative approach to life," JP added. "Of course, it brings challenges, but it also brings beauty and wonder that are often overlooked by the neurotypical world."

Photo: earwormny.com

JP Rende and Kat Raio-Rende are a married creative team who own Earworm Music Co. Their work blends infectious pop sensibilities with musicality, irreverence, and heart. Through their production company "Earworm", they have created music for multiple television shows including "Sesame Street", "Gabby's Dollhouse", "Princess Power", and "Grey's Anatomy". Their songs have been performed by artists including Cardi B, Michael Bublé, and Fifth Harmony.

"Nothing Rhymes with Orange" is available on all major streaming platforms.

Click here to check out my podcast.