Smarter Brunei Set To Launch Centre For Adults
By Liza Mohd

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Society for the Management ofAutism Related Issues in Training, Education and Resources (Smarter) Brunei is set to launch the Brunei Autism Centre for Adults (Baca) in its bid to ensure a bright future for autistic adults.

The centre, located in Kampong Selayun, will materialise next month.

To further support the centre, Smarter Brunei plans to set up agencies to assist autistic adults in securing employment in areas such as janitorial service and car and air-condition servicing.

The agencies will be run by parents of autistic patients, said Smarter President Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman.

"We want them to belong in the community and be given a chance to lead a normal life," he said. "We expect private companies or other business establishments to genuinely hire these people based on their skills and not just out of sympathy."

Three autistic adults from the Belait District are currently undergoing training in a variety of skills, and these skills were demonstrated in an exhibition at the entrance of Soon Lee Megamart KB to raise awareness on autism, in conjunction with the World Autism Awareness Day, celebrated on April 2.

The roadshow was launched at Ripas Hospital, and was held at The Mall, Gadong on April 6, and Soon Lee Megamart KB yesterday. The next one will be held at Tutong Petani Mall on April 20.

The event will conclude with the Seven Hills Charity Challenge on April 27, and Malai Haji Abdullah will be on hand to lead the participants in climbing seven hills in the capital, starting in Tasek and ending in Bukit Shahbandar.

The association has received some 100 participants and is anticipating more people to join the challenge, said Malai Haji Abdullah.

Meanwhile, the road show yesterday featured extensive information on autism as well as methods utilised by Smarter in handling autistic children such as the sensory processing interaction strategies.

The Child Development Centre and the Special Education Unit, under the Ministry of Education, also took part in the road show.

There are currently 400 people who have been diagnosed with autism in the country.

In 2006, 50 children were diagnosed, and another 50 in 2007. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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