Stanley Effah, the father of Ferdinand Effah who is a child living with Autistism has launched the Ferdinand Effah Music Heritage Foundation to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) improve their social interaction and communication skills.
Effah while speaking at the launch in Abuja noted that he believes that music therapy is a way to help children living with the condition connect better.
Effah said he was inspired to set up the foundation because of his son Ferdinand who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.
“He is 13 years old now and I have been struggling trying to manage the situation and see how we can get the best out of it”.
“Over the years, we have tried to engage in various therapies and at a point, we discovered that he loves music, so we decided to focus on music while also engaging in other therapies.”
The Foundation Music therapist, Ojeawere Majek, said music is a tool he used in relating with children with autism.
Majek said children with autism lack the ability to interact socially, hence the use of music to establish a connection between them and the world.
“I have been doing music for the past six years but until recently, I didn’t know it could be a therapy for children with autism.
“The first child I started with really improved over time. I noticed how calm the child is whenever I play music, especially Jazz,” he said
He noted that he has successfully helped two children to connect with the world through music.
“Ferdinand’s parents decided to make music as his career because he really improved since I started working with him,” he said.
Effah noted that the rates of discrimination have prevented lots of parents from seeking help but stated that children living with autism should not be despised, adding that every April 2 (World Autism Day) should not just be walk over but should be marked with the presence of Nigerian artistes at notable locations in Nigeria.
Effah also lamented the spate of discrimination against children living with autistic, an act which has prevented lots of parents from seeking help.
Highpoint of the event include instrumentalists display by Fedinard Effah as he thrilled the guest with his skills on drums set.