Autism Awareness At Maktab Duli
By Hj Ahmed Shaheeb

Bandar Seri Begawan - SMARTER held an autism talk at Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah yesterday.

The talk was organised by the Pioneering Youth Reach Out Club (PYRO). Autism is a lifelong delayed developmental disability that prevents individuals from properly understanding what they see, hear and otherwise sense. This results in difficulties in social relationships or interaction, communication and behaviour.

This was said at the event by Malai Haji Abdullah Malai Haji Othman, the president of SMARTER Brunei.

The talk was aimed at raising awareness about autism as well as telling them about employment opportunities available to autistic individuals.

Malai Haji Abdullah said, "Employment will either be with businesses in the community or wits, SMARTER run businesses. For example, these teenagers will provide repair services for items donated to the SMARTER autism shop.

"Other vocational skills or training will include car services, woodwork, air-conditioner services, industrial work, office work, janitorial services as well as laundry services.

"Individuals with autism sometimes develop exceptional skills in certain areas like art, music and mathematics. Another important task that we will be undertaking will be the identification, encouragement and development of such skills."

Throughout the month of April, SMARTER Brunei has held the World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) road show. The WAAD road show was held at The Mall Gadong on April 6, Soon Lee Mall in Kuala Belait on April 13, as well as at the Tutong Petani Mall on April 20.

The awareness programme will end with the SMARTER Annual Challenge to be held on April 27 where Malai Hj Abdullah will lead the participants in climbing seven hills around Bandar Seri Begawan which will start in Tasek, Markuching in Subok, Pancaran Subok, Mentiri, Berakas and will end in Bukit Shahbandar.

According to the teacher-in-charge, Miss Yong Chee Ting, as part of the continued efforts in contributing to the community and educating its members about autism, PYRO are currently collecting clothes and books among its members to be donated to the SMARTER autism shop which is a charity shop selling mainly secondhand donated goods to raise funds for SMARTER ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) centre in Sengkurong and Kuala Belait. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with