Karay Blue and Autism Lights Inc. Join Forces Against ASD Associated Stigma

Karay Blue has been using her talent as a musical artist to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Karay has been focusing most of her efforts on Africa, particularly in Kenya, where she was born as Mary Wangari. The singer has been working tirelessly for several years, bringing together fellow celebrity artists to join her in the fight against the stigma associated with the condition.

According to Karay, there is an urgent need for the world to better understand and appreciate people with autism. As the mother of a little girl who was diagnosed with ASD, this cause is especially close to her heart. Karay and her colleagues are hopeful that people with ASD will eventually gain acceptance and be integrated in schools and society. Towards this end, they have been using their musical gifts to help make that a reality.

The Visual Album – Using Music to Create Awareness of ASD

In collaboration with charitable organization Autism Lights, Karay Blue brought together a group of stars including Khaligraph Jones, Ala C, JuaCali, Vera Sidika and Mariko Mkimbizi to produce an album called The Visual Album (God & Love) and four music videos. The album was well-received throughout Kenya and bolstered their campaign to bring awareness of autism to those whose understanding about it has been limited. Following the album’s release, Karay continued to campaign using hashtags like #AutismAndMusicKenya, #AutismAwareness, and #AutismLights. Karay and Autism Lights have become quite well known in Africa for their endeavors to promote the cause.

Additional Cooperation Between Autism Lights and Karay Blue

Autism Lights has employed an outreach team to spearhead several projects around Kenya. Since many of those in Africa with ASD often do not have access to basic services, Autism Lights has helped collect items such as food, water-purification equipment, basic medical supplies, and other essentials. Events are regularly held at universities and schools as well as on television networks, radio shows, and at other venues across the country where a focus is placed on creating awareness of ASD and promoting acceptance and inclusion of people with ASD and their families. After several successful national campaigns, the organization began expanding its activities across the world with a successful training program at the University of Baja California in Mexico. The president of Ghana also pledged to support the initiative at the Africa Development Conference in Massachusetts in 2020.

What Is Autism?

Autism and ASD are general terms for a complex group of neurological conditions. Scientists have not yet found the precise cause, but it is widely assumed that genetics and environmental factors play a role in triggering the condition. There is some debate as to whether ASD is a brain-based genetic disorder, which is permanent, or a systemic condition, which may be reversible.

The process of autism diagnosis is fraught with contention, particularly among people with high-functioning autism, because of the inconsistency and varying degrees in which indicators of the condition occur. Generally, people with ASD behave, communicate, learn, and interact in ways that are different from most other people. This behavior could include, but is not limited to, actions like:

• Repeating statements or words.
• Repetitive, self-stimulatory movements like spinning around, headbanging, and hand flapping (“stimming”)
• Difficulty in dealing with changes in the environment.
• Adverse reactions to physical touch.
• Intense fear of ordinary activities or objects.
• Difficulty with using gestures to communicate.
• A lack of coordination.
• Avoiding eye contact and interaction.
• Failure to develop an ability for imaginary play.
• Difficulty in paying attention.

Because of these so-called “unusual” behavior patterns, society’s reaction to people with autism is often insensitive. This has led parents and families to isolate those with the condition, creating an even greater lack of awareness of the condition and how to interact with people who have it. Some do not ever receive a diagnosis or any form of medical intervention because of the stigma attached. Because of a range of typical co-occurring physical conditions in people with autism, such as food sensitivities, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, and epilepsy, it is crucial to create awareness and dispel myths about the condition.

Dispelling Myths About ASD

Many misconceptions about ASD still exist, with some even believing that poor parenting is an underlying cause. Although over 24 million people around the world are affected by autism, it continues to be stigmatized. Karay Blue and organizations like Autism Lights have been paving the way towards having this stigma eliminated.