Kathmandu, March 16: A free musical concert involving the 1974 AD band is being held to raise awareness about Autism. The concert jointly organised by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Autism Care Nepal Society (ACNS) and the popular Nepali rock band, 1974AD is expected to help raise awareness and celebrate people with neuro-developmental differences.
The concert is taking place at Tundhikhel on March 18, Saturday afternoon. The Australian Embassy in Nepal is supporting the event. According to a statement released by the Embassy here on Thursday, Australian Ambassador to Nepal Felicity Volk has said that the Australian Government prioritises disability inclusive development and expressed the hope that the concert-goers would leave Tudhikhel on Saturday night filled with the energy and passion that comes from listening to one of the world’s greatest rock bands, and use that energy to share the message to embrace Autism.
According to Chairperson of Autism Care Nepal Society, Dr Sunita Malekhu autism is rarely discussed and there is limited public knowledge of this disorder despite its prevalence in Nepal. Parents, health professionals, community stakeholders are quite unaware about child development delays and differences, leading to late diagnosis.
It is estimated that 300,000 children in Nepal have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism affects all ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Early intervention can improve learning, communication and social skills, as well as underlying brain development.
She said that the ACNS believes that this concert would create history to embrace Autism and ensure better recognition, understanding, acceptance, visibility and action for autism to guarantee social inclusion.
Likewise, Deputy Mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, said that the KMC has made disability inclusion a special priority and is working with different organisations to realise this.
The 1974AD band members have expressed happiness to be performing the Concert for Autism and hoped that this event would be instrumental in spreading messages about autism, adds the statement.
