By Zan Hosni
Mr Allaster Cox,
Australia's High Commisioner (C) and Ms Debbie Smith,
Co-Chairperson (R) seated with Malai Hj Abdullah Hj Malai Othman,
the President of Smarter Association Brunei at the ceremony.
The opening ceremony of the 2nd
Brunei National Conference on Autism took place yesterday at the
Main Hall of the Seri Begawan Sultan Religious College in Jalan
Tutong.
It was witnessed by Australia's
High Commissioner, Mr Allaster Cox, as well as other esteemed
guests.
Following the arrival of Chief
Guest Malai Hj Abdullah Hj Malai Othman, the President of
Smarter Brunei gave a welcoming speech in which he outlined the
beginning stages in the establishment of Brunei's Smarter
Association to help those autistic individuals and their
families.
Autism is a life-long, complex
developmental disability, which can be typically detected in the
first three years of an individual's life.
It could have impacts on the
normal development of the brain in areas of social interaction
and communication skills.
The chosen theme for this year
is "Autistic Individual Is Not Disabled, Just
Different."
This decision was made in order
to inform the general public and allow them to better understand
the complexities of the syndrome, which is inflicting an
increasing number of individuals these days.
The President of Smarter Brunei
concluded his speech by highlighting the numerous plans that the
association is planning to undertake in the near future.
Among these projects are to
open a second centre in Seria at St Margaret's School, a
bicyclethon organised by Badan Tanmiah to take place on April 6
as well as an Autism Concert, which is planned for May of this
year.
The conference is scheduled to
take place until March 30 with international speakers like Ms
Rose Clark and Mr Wong Chee Kin to talk about the subject in
greater details.
|
