Music can help autism affected children: Ricky Kej

Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej says music might be the one thing that can help autism affected children engage with others.
"Through music, I hope to do my bit in making a difference to children with autism. When nothing else reaches a child with autism, music might be the one thing that can help him engage with others in situations they might otherwise be aggressive," he said while addressing at "Autism Dialogue", an event organised here.
Kej, who won a Grammy for his album 'Winds of Samsara', a collaboration with South African flautist Wouter Kellerman, said children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) respond positively to music.

"People, including children with autism, respond well to music when hardly anything around them has failed to attract their attention, which makes music a potential therapeutic tool," he said.
"Passing and sharing instruments, music and movement games, gathering around a central instrument, learning to listen and singing of greetings are just a few of the ways music therapy sessions can increase interaction," he said.
In India, approximately one in hundred are affected with autism and it is still not listed as a disability in the People with Disability Act.
Even when the number is this large awareness of autism is extremely low. There are many people who are affected with Autism and do not know what to do due to lack of information and services, Kej said.

"Almost like another form of play, music therapy is something ASD children can engage in without having it feel like work," Kej said.