Chandigarh : The National Rehabilitation Institute (NRI), Chandigarh organized an Awareness Camp-cum- Symposium at the premises of Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh on 08.12. 2018 (Saturday) to mark the World Disability Day. The theme of the programme was “Rehabilitation in Autism through Music Therapy”. ‘Autism’ is a complex neuro behavioral condition. Autistic individuals may have problems in certain areas, especially in the ability to communicate and in relating to others as a result of which they keep to themselves or remain isolated. However, some of them may have unusually developed skills in other areas. Music Therapy has proved useful in the rehabilitation of individuals with autism. Incidence of those who suffer from ‘autism’ in India is 1 in 90, 666 and prevalence is 1 in 500. More than 21 lacs of people suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder in India , according to Centre for Disease Control, RCI of India. .
The programme was organized in collaboration with South Asian Behavioral Health Foundation (SABH Foundation) USA, ENT Dept. PGIMER, Chandigarh, Chandigarh Art Theatre, University School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Rayat-Bahra University, Mohali, CRIKC, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and Nano Medicare, Allahabad.
Lectures were delivered by eminent speakers and experts in the respective domains. The experts who spoke during the programme included Dr Dwarka Prasad, Ex-Professor of Nuro-Psychology, PGI, Chd, Dr Shambhavi Das, Music Therapist, Hyderabad, Dr Rajni Sharma, Psychologist, Department of Advanced Pediatrics Centre PGI, Chd, Sanjeev Chauhan, Music Director, Vocalist and Music Therapist, Chandigarh.
13 years old Janak, a Autistic child performed Classical And Light Vocal Music ad enthralled the Delegates and other audience. More than 80 Delegates from Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh attended the programme. They all were from Special Education Departments working for Differently Abled Children.
Mrs. Dheera Khandelwal IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, School Education and other Departments, Haryana was the Chief Guest. While speaking on the occasion, she lauded the efforts of the organizers in making the programme a grand success. She stressed that the Music Therapy should be promoted at a large scale not only for Autism but for other disorders and diseases as well.
The programme was held under the over-all supervision of Dr Sarswati Gupta, Executive Director of the NRI, Dr Neena Mehta, Dean Rayat-Behra University, Dr Jaimanti Bakshi and Dr Dharam Vir, Department of ENT PGI Chandigarh.