Widyatama University held World Autism Day. The event, which took place at the Widyatama University Multipurpose Building, was held on Thursday, April 2, 2015. The event, themed Awareness Autism Day, invited the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, represented by Mr. Drs. Samsudi (MM Director General of Rehabilitation of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs), The Governor of West Java Province was represented by Mr. Drs. H. Dady Iskandar MM, Head of the Basic Social Services Bureau of the Regional Secretary, Mrs. Atalia Praratya Ridwan Kamil, who was present as Chair of the Bandung City TP. PKK, representatives from the Social Services Agency who were present, Mr. Hikmat Ginanjar, M.Si (Head of the Environmental Management Agency) of Bandung City, and other invited guests who attended the event.
Accompanied by “tatalu” and traditional dances performed by children with disabilities, the event was very lively. Mr. Samsudi expressed his happiness by playing a drum during the opening ceremony.
The series of events continued with several performances from the students of the Widyatama Art Therapy Center, where they showcased their creativity. Suddenly, the audience at the event was filled with pride and emotion upon seeing the abilities of the students with disabilities.
The event was initiated by the Art Therapy Center, which is one of the CSR programs of the Widyatama Foundation, a concrete platform for contributing expertise and playing a role in the care of people with disabilities. The Art Therapy Center is there for children with disabilities to guide and develop the abilities of children with special needs, including behavioral and life skills based on art and design.
Coinciding with World Autism Awareness Day, with the theme “Autism is not A Joke,” people with disabilities should not be overlooked. The role and support of the government today provides a positive trigger in dealing with children with disabilities. The creativity that grows in the soul of a person with a disability is an asset to the nation, which society often ignores.
“This is a motivation for the government in particular, as there is much room for them to live alongside us. With the Art Therapy Center Widyatama collaborating with Radio Nasional, many children are being reached and embraced in the provision of education,” said Samsudi in his speech.
After the welcome speech, the next event was a talkshow with speakers Mr. Idang Rasjidi, Mr. Shaku Hachi Rasjidi, Dr. Aisah Dahlan, and Mr. Antonius Tyaswidyono Murti. “That is, special and continuous treatment, namely job training and graphic design,” said Dr. Anne Nurfarina, S.Sn., M.Sn., Chair of the Widyatama Art Therapy Center.
Anne explained that special treatment is needed for children with physical and mental disabilities. This category includes those who are low function or mentally retarded and are six years old. The therapy itself, she continued, includes audio-visual, motor, and language-based therapy according to each child’s case. This special treatment aims to build the behavior and life skills of children with disabilities, she added.
In this system, therapy based on behavior and life skills development will be implemented through a learning system. The system includes audio, visual, motor, and language. *mktg
