When she left university in 1993, Nathalie Leroux was certain of one thing: she wanted to work with young people with an autism spectrum disorder since “no one seemed to care”.
On April 27, she will produce a concert for them… and all the others. Because times have changed and she believes we are ready to practice inclusion, true inclusion.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY NATHALIE LEROUX
Nathalie Leroux and Xavier, who has an autism spectrum disorder. “I like music because it helps me calm down. I formed a strong bond with [Nathalie] and it helps me as an autistic person to learn with a person I know and with whom I feel good. »
As soon as she obtained her diploma, Nathalie Leroux knocked on the door of Saint-Étienne primary school in Montreal. She was one of the few with places in special education for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Nathalie has been offering her services as a music therapist for 31 years now. She made her mark by including all young people in activities; its musicals and sound tales are performed by both students with ASD and students in the regular program.
Because everyone can benefit from music, but also – and above all – from encounters.
The interaction takes place first with the music and then with the person behind the music. It makes communication easier. We don’t need words, we understand each other. When we go to see a show, there is chemistry… We don’t talk to our neighbor, but we are together!
Nathalie Leroux
Music also helps regulate emotions. The tempo can encourage students experiencing frustration to settle down, for example. More importantly: it motivates. Nathalie tells me about a child with ASD who throws himself to the ground as soon as he hears the bell announcing recess. When his teacher shows him the pictogram indicating that a period of music therapy will follow said recess, his reaction is completely different. He gets up and eagerly goes to the next room. “So he can do it!” underlines the speaker. What he lacks is motivation. And music becomes his driving force. »
I would like you to be able to hear Nathalie Leroux talk about her projects. I cannot find the necessary resources in my vocabulary to describe to you the extent of his passion. So I’m going to rely on her CV to get there… It was Nathalie who developed the OSMose initiative with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
Thanks to her, artists came directly to the classroom to introduce classical music to students with ASD. “It’s difficult to go out with these students,” explains Nathalie. They did not fit into the great projects already proposed by the OSM, so I raised awareness among the orchestra and trained the OSM administration. We lived together… And not just on paper! »
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Nathalie Leroux
For the music therapist, inclusion “is more than providing access”, it is encouraging diversity. Today, she continues her music therapy activities while supporting various actors in their interventions with people with an autism spectrum disorder. After Music for All, she developed Place pour tous.
For Autism Month, which takes place in April, she dreamed of a unifying event. Then it came to him: video games! Kids love them, whether they are neurotypical or neurodivergent.
Nathalie did some research and discovered L’Orchestre de Jeux Vidéo, which is dedicated, as its name quite clearly indicates, to music from video games. Bingo! All that was missing was money to make the event free. It was the non-profit organization Autismopolis that came to lend him a hand.
On April 27, families will be able to attend a free concert by the Video Games Orchestra at the Acadie church in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
Much effort will be made to ensure the comfort of spectators with autism spectrum disorders. A social scenario will be published so that children know the details of the event in advance. They will see photos of the place and the order in which things will happen to reduce the unpredictability with which they often struggle to deal.
There will be a small space for sensory appeasement, projections and some auditory shells (although this is a “bring your shells” concert!). Volunteers aware of the difference will also be there to help parents who need a helping hand.
Nathalie Leroux also hopes to see many families who are not directly affected by ASD: “To end Autism Month, I want people to realize that we are all human! It’s just that our perceptions and manifestations are different. Do you like what you hear? Him too ! You can share a beautiful moment together. »
The music therapist notes that such an event not only makes it possible to fill a gap among clients with special needs, but also to raise awareness among the neurotypical public of these issues. Whether spectators, concert hall administrators or musicians. She has already warned them, moreover: “It could be that people stand up, that others shout, that some go out and that applause arises at unexpected moments… But that doesn’t mean that you don’t You’re not interesting! »
Nathalie Leroux dreams that, through the band, the concert opens certain horizons for public services, the leisure sector and professional services…
See how it can be.
Better yet: see how it is fun.
For more details on the free event on April 27:
Visit the Musique pour tous Facebook page