Chennai: “The brain of an autistic child needs music more than speech. You will find 99 per cent of autistic children inclined more towards music and arts,” says Lakshmi Mohan, the singer and founder of Sowmanasya Trust, running an art-based therapy centre at Anna Nagar in the city for people with autism.
Through Sowmanasya Centre for Music Therapy, Lakshmi Mohan has been using the therapy to teach people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) take care of their day-to-day needs and bring out their hidden abilities. She has been doing this for the last 15 years.
Why music?
Speaking to News Today, Lakshmi Mohan said, “People diagnosed with ASD can be classified as verbal and non-verbal. During my time with ASD children, I discovered that they are all good at some form of art and are not inclined towards academics.”
“For example, an autistic child who is non-verbal (speaks very little), may be good with rhythms. If we help them concentrate and channelise their talent, they can be a good percussion player. They simply understand music better than speech,” she added.
How are bhajans beneficial?
“Autistic kids are fond of repetition. Repetitive words and actions are easy for them to follow if it comes in the form of music. Bhajans, especially those that have a lot of repetitive words, help change their behaviour slowly,” says Lakshmi.
“Autistic children are poor in maintaining eye contact. Through bhajans, over a period of time, this improves. They are also usually hyperactive. But exposure to repetitive words, rhythm and music improves their sitting tolerance and waiting tolerance. Bhajans and music help them re-organise their thoughts and make them more patient,” Lakshmi explained.
“Parents of autistic children should realise what their child likes or dislikes and what they can or cannot do. They must not force them into the common education system as this will stress them out,” Lakshmi said.
“The parents are afraid that their children will be discriminated by society if they take them out of the system. They fear that their child would be secluded from society. This fear hurts the children,” she explains.
Lakshmi Mohan requests the parents of autistic children to try and see the world through their childs eyes.
Lakshmi Mohan can be reached at 99621 29333.