Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, APRIL 2
Marking World Autism Awareness Day with a milestone a local institution, the Jo Foundation, an inclusive school in Kohima on Thursday introduced the first music therapy centre in Nagaland, in the establishment.
Commissioner & Secretary for Works and Housing, I Himato Zhimomi, the chief guest of the occasion, underscored that need of the Naga Diaspora to build an ‘inclusive society.’Autism is a neurodevelopment disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life.
“No matter where we are, in whatever capacity we are, there is always possibility and a way to reach out to the people who need special attention,” Zhimomi said, and called upon all to rededicate themselves to support the cause of the children and people with special needs.
Remarking that that children learn to adapt to music before even learning to speak, the official congratulated Jo Foundation’s authorities for taking note of the important element in hindsight and setting up the music therapy centre. As a government functionary, he assured all possible support to helping persons with disabilities.
Project director of the Music Task Force, Gugs Chishi also shared his views on the relevance of music, during the event. He said music was an integral part of the Naga culture and Nagas have inborn talent in music. He felt that the concept of using music and its bonding and communicating factors to connect and reach into the minds of those unable to communicate or express, would go a long way in bridging gaps.
Chishi lauded Jo Foundation’s chairman, Daniel Thong Seb and his wife Dr. Asünü for ‘being bold enough’ to initiate the new step to helping children with special needs.
Jo Foundation’s music therapist, Rukuse Sakhrie exhorted the gathering on the significance of using music therapy to connect and enhance communicative skills of children/persons with illnesses/disabilities, or those undergoing trauma, substance abuse etc.
Music therapy is a clinical and evidence-based means using music to make an intervention to connect to the client, he said. Music therapy does not teach musical skills, but rather uses music as the basis of therapeutic medium, he added. Rukuse Sakhrie is one of the first professionally-trained clinical music therapists from Nagaland.
During the occasion, Jo Foundation acknowledged autistic children and their parents and conveyed the message that they were loved and was not alone.
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of children and adults who are affected by autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives.
This year, the UN has selected ‘Employment: The Autism Advantage’ as the theme for the day. According to the UN, it is estimated that more than 80% of adults with autism are unemployed.
Research suggests that employers are missing out on abilities that that people on the autism spectrum have in greater abundance than “neurotypical” workers do – such as, heightened abilities in pattern recognition and logical reasoning, as well as a greater attention to detail. The UN recognizes shortage of vocational training, inadequate support with job placement, and pervasive discrimination as hurdles that need to be overcome to unleash the potential of autistic persons.
• Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that generally appears before the age of 3
• Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function. Individuals with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities
• Individuals with autism often suffer from numerous co-morbid medical conditions which may include: allergies, asthma, epilepsy, digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, feeding disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, sleeping disorders, and more
• Autism is diagnosed four times more often in boys than girls. Its prevalence is not affected by race, region, or socio-economic status. Since autism was first diagnosed in the U.S. the incidence has climbed to an alarming one in 68 children in the U.S.
• Autism itself does not affect life expectancy, however research has shown that the mortality risk among individuals with autism is twice as high as the general population, in large part due to drowning and other accidents.
• Currently there is no cure for autism, though with early intervention and treatment, the diverse symptoms related to autism can be greatly improved and in some cases completely overcome.
• Autism now affects 1 in 68 children
• Boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls
• About 40% of children with autism do not speak. About 25%–30% of children with autism have some words at 12 to 18 months of age and then lose them. Others might speak, but not until later in childhood
• Autism greatly varies from person to person (no two people with autism are alike)
• The rate of autism has steadily grown over the last twenty years
• Comorbid conditions often associated with autism include Fragile X, allergies, asthma, epilepsy, bowel disease, gastrointestinal/digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, PANDAS, feeding disorders, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, OCD, sensory integration dysfunction, sleeping disorders, immune disorders, autoimmune disorders, and neuroinflammation.
• Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder, yet most underfunded
• A 2008 Danish Study found that the mortality risk among those with autism was nearly twice that of the general population
• Children with autism do progress – early intervention is key
• Autism is treatable, not a hopeless condition
