Joskä helps young people with autism

Together with Jurgen Bekkers, personal coach at Autismepunt, guitar teacher Joskä Ligtenberg coaches two bands at CKE and gives music lessons to young people with autism: “Their strength lies precisely in the focus they have.”

You are more than your diagnosis

“Music forces you to consider another person’s perspective, which can be challenging for people with autism,” says Joskä. “These students are very focused, play perfectly in time, and immediately respond when the band leader gives a signal. Essentially, they’re the ideal students! Music only becomes music when there’s a beat. Within that structured environment, there’s a safe space to experiment. Because of its straightforward nature, it suits the participants in my special bands perfectly.”

Dream for the future

“We have two bands, but why not a hundred? Statistics show that there are many more people with autism in Eindhoven. But above all, my dream is to mix bands with people from different backgrounds. I hope this project can change perceptions of people with autism. You are more than your diagnosis; you are a unique individual, and diversity makes the world more beautiful.”

“Too often, people with the label of autism are left out. Ideally, it shouldn’t matter whether you have autism or not, as long as we accept each other as we are. Putting someone in a box makes it hard for them to break free, and that’s such a shame. Being different doesn’t have to be negative—that’s what makes it interesting. You are more than your diagnosis; you are a unique individual, and diversity makes the world more beautiful.”

Source interview: In de buurt Eindhoven article.