Roadshow Held To Raise Autism Awareness
By Amin Hosni

Bandar Seri Begawan - SMARTER Brunei together with the Child Development Centre, Ministry of Education concluded the World Autism Awareness Day with a roadshow held yesterday at The Mall in Gadong.

The roadshow, aimed at creating awareness of autism, was well received by shoppers and the public.

A SMARTER staff said that when SMARTER Brunei received the news on the UN resolution 62/139 designating April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, it raised the profile of autism in the country.

"A lot of people started approaching and calling us asking if we needed support," he said. The resolution also prompted the centre to conduct the roadshow to gain support from the public.

The Bulletin also spoke to medical officers from the Child Development Centre at the roadshow who said that early intervention on a child with autism is very important. Pg Hartini, Clinical Psychologist at CDC, stressed that a child with autism needs to be diagnosed as soon as possible. "The sooner they get diagnosed, the sooner we can start treatment."

"Parents sometimes only realise that a child needs special attention when their child has speech delays and such. Although sometimes, we will not be able to see if the child has ASD until he or she reaches a certain age.

We, at the CDC, receive referrals from schools, parents or clinics, and the community paediatrician will see the child and gather relevant information and medical and developmental background history from the family. If the child is suspected to have ASD, he or she will be referred to the Child Development Team (CDT) for further assessment."

The CDC usually recommends a child that has autism to go to SMARTER Brunei for further treatment. Other options include Pusat Ehsan.

"We also need the media to make the public aware that support for the family and especially the children with autism is very much needed. It is important for the public to be aware of autism and what it is to increase their understanding and to be more supportive." The roadshow, which is a follow-up to the WAAD roadshow held previously at the Ripas Hospital, is part of a one-month roadshow held by SMARTER Brunei in collaboration with Child Development Centre.

The closing of the WAAD will be the SMARTER Brunei-organised seven-Hill Challenge on April 27, 2008. Registration is free and all participants will be given a certificate.

SMARTER Brunei, Society for the Management of Autism Related issues - in Training, Education and Resources, is a member of the World Autism Organisation. Established on September 2, 2001 it is run by parents and family members of individuals with autism. Brunei has more than 400 individuals diagnosed with autism, while only 63 go to SMARTER Brunei.

The Child Development Centre facilitates the provision of services for the diagnosis, assessment, treatment and support therapies for children to help ensure their optimal health and development. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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