By Syifarida Muhamad Zaki
SERDANG, Nov 27 – Down Syndrome children and adolescents with special needs showcased their abilities and talents in the arts of music therapy at a Community Therapy Intervention Programme for Pupils with Special Needs through Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)’s Special Education Laboratory (Fusion Lab).
The programme, organized by the Faculty of Education Studies (FPP), UPM, also highlighted musical intervention methods through musical performances by special needs children of UPM Fusion Lab, and it also featured UPM experts in music and pupils from the Batu Road School Band.
The programme is aimed at creating awareness among the public, especially parents and educators that people with special needs should be given the opportunity to develop their potentials through support and confidence showed by the community.
Among the performances put up during the programme were a duet by a violinist and an autistic student, dikir barat, kuda kepang and a dance show.
UPM Fusion Lab Programme Advisor, Prof. Prof. Dr. Samsilah Roslan said the programme could unlock the potential of special needs students through interactions.
"The art of music can help towards developing the potential of students with special needs from various aspects.
"We hope that this programme can bring about awareness and concerns from all levels of the society of the potentials and talents that could make these kids popular in the eyes of the world,” she said.
Training Coordinator of SEAMEO Regional Centre For Special Education, Monishah Md. Shah, said UPM Fusion Lab served as an important platform in contributing towards making Malaysia gaining that recognition of a nation that had successfully educated its students with special needs.
"UPM’s efforts to highlight the hidden talents of people with special needs will indirectly provide that much needed support and moral for them, in terms of self-management as well as their behaviour as important components in the family and the community," she said.
She expressed hope for the public to make full use of UPM Fusion Lab to develop the community ecosystem and made it conducive for youths with special needs.
