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March 29, 2018
Gifted autistic pupil to play at concert
MADELEINE
CHAPUT
MUSIC is JR Nkosi’s
preferred method of
communication and he
has, since receiving his
first toy keyboard on his
seventh birthday, never
looked back.
The 15-year-old, who
has been diagnosed as
autistic, can play tunes
flawlessly on his
ke y b o a r d after hearing
these just once.
“We could see that
JR loved music from a
young age. He was not
interested in any other
toys except for that
keyboard so we decided
to try and take him to a
music tutor,” his
mother, Yolande Nkosi,
said.
Autism or autism
spectrum disorder
(ASD) is a complex,
lifelong disorder that
manifests in various
ways in different
people.
JR’s autism is
characterised by
extreme difficulty in
communicating by
using language and
abstract concepts,
hindering his ability to
speak coherently, read
and write.
Due to his inability to
read or write, music
teachers were unable to
tutor JR and so he kept
learning on his own.
“We were so
disappointed at first,
PURE JOY: Self-taught JR Nkosi will be playing the keyboard at an Autism Awareness concert on Sunday
C H PA U T
but we decided to buy a
proper keyboard
anyway, with the
intention that I would
learn how to play and
JR could join in,” N ko s i
said.
“One day my husband
and I were in our room
while JR was watching
a gospel channel on the
TV in our lounge. A few
minutes later, he was
playing the song he had
just listened to on TV.
We were so amazed.”
Since then, JR
regularly plays at the
Cambridge Catholic
Church and at various
organised events,
including the
Macadamia Harvest
Festival. He has also
played with the
well-known FlipFlop
band at an autism
awareness concert last
y e a r.
The talented teen
also performed during a
visit by the education
ministry to JR’s school
– Parklands Special
School – last year.
He has been invited
to play at various
birthday parties and
events around East
London, with his
passion and enjoyment
for performing shining
through at each one.
“He is so full of love
and he gets so excited
when he plays for an
audience. Seeing him
smile on the stage and
receive standing
ovations makes me so
h a p p y, ” said his mom.
“When we first learnt
that our little boy had
autism and that it was
incurable, it felt like the
end of my world. Not
being able to
communicate properly
with your child is
extremely frustrating,
but watching him tell
his story through music
has been a blessing
from God.”
JR will once again be
playing at an autism
awareness concert on
Sunday April 1, at the
Cambridge Catholic
Church hall from 2pm
to 6pm.
The concert serves as
a means to create
awareness and to invite
a change in attitude
towards people with
autism and their
fa m i l i e s .
“The most
challenging thing is the
Picture: MADELEINE
judgmental stares we,
as parents to autistic
children, often get. JR
loves people, especially
young children. He gets
so excited and tries to
talk to and hug
everyone, but he cannot
speak coherently, so
people often think he is
shouting at them or that
he is angry,” Nkosi said.
“People don’t
understand and having to
try and explain the
situation to them is
difficult sometimes. This
lack of understanding has
a tremendous impact on
families and
communities.”
Hosted by the Nkosi
family, the concert will
see various autistic
youngsters perform. The
pupils will be joined by
the Eternity Gospel
Group and Ministries
Worship team.
Tickets are R100 and
all the proceeds will go
towards assisting needy
autistic pupils at local
special needs schools.
For more information,
contact Nkosi on
082-825-3613.
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PLAY AND LEARN: Pupils from Autism
Sinethemba preschool have fun with
playdough during class, while their teacher
assists them Picture: MADELEINE CHAPUT
Join Big
Walk in
autism
month
MADELEINE CHAPUT
AS AUTISM Awareness Month draws closer, the
Eastern Cape branch of Autism South Africa
(ASA) and Autism Sinethemba in East London
are gearing up to ensure a successful and
well-supported campaign.
Running throughout the month of April, both
ASA and Autism Sinethemba will be running a
series of events generating awareness about
Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Autism Big Walk, taking place on April 20
along the Esplanade, will be the main awareness
event for the month. Starting at the Wishing Well
at the Orient Theatre at 10am, this annual event
has no entry fee, with all encouraged to join in
and to wear blue in support of autism.
Hands on Autism Two training sessions will
also be held from April 17 to 19 for caretakers
who have already completed their Hands on
Autism One training.
The Autism Sinethemba preschool will hold
open days every school day throughout the
month of April, encouraging visitors to interact
with staff and the children.
“We want to inform the public about our daily
challenges as teachers and parents to autistic
children, as well as create acceptance and
understanding for these children and their
parents,” ASA regional development officer and
Autism Sinethemba founder, Antoinette
Bruce-Alexander said.
Bruce-Alexander indicated that parents and
caregivers of autistic children are often criticised
and labelled as “bad parents” because an
autistic child’s challenging behaviour is often
seen as naughtiness.
“Looking after a child with autism is really
hard work both physically and emotionally.
“The mom, dad, granny, caregiver, teacher has
enough on his/her plate to deal with, they do not
need criticism, they need help, kindness,
empathy and most of all respect,” said
Bruce-Alexander, who is also the mother of an
autistic son, Daniel.
According to ASA, one in every 110 children is
affected by autism internationally.
In South Africa, about 7665 children
diagnosed with autism are born every year.
Emphasising the need for greater awareness
and support for autistic children and their
parents, Bruce- Alexander said the number of
diagnosed children with autism contines to rise.
“We are limited in terms of educational
placement, skills centres and special ECD
centres, adult care skills centres and residential
facilities for adults. Autism is not curable.
Parents and caregivers need to make provisions
for their children’s old age when we are no
longer able to look after them,” Bruce-Alexander
said.
“Autism is still an ‘invisible’ d i s o r d e r.
“Our children look normal, it is only once you
interact with them that their challenges will be
n ot i c e d . ”
For information or for anyone interested in
supporting any autism awareness events,
contact Bruce- Alexander on 072-678-2452 or
easterncape@ autismsouthafrica.org