The project launch of the early intervention awareness on Autism was held yesterday at Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Mariam In Bengkurong. The event was organized by the Young South East Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) and was attended by Pusat Ehsan’s Board of Trustees, Committee members, students, parents and volunteers.

The campaign was launched as part of the YOUnified celebration. On December 3, 2016, YSEALI members and alumni across all 10 ASEAN member countries will organize and lead community projects to celebrate the third anniversary of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) with an ASEAN-wide day of community service called YSEALI YOUnified.

“The YSEALI YOUnified celebration encourages young people to civilly engage, with a firm emphasis on the power of youth, to develop solutions to pressing local, national and regional issues” stated Catherine Muller, the Public Affairs Officer at the United States Embassy in Brunei Darussalam during the launching ceremony.

Ak Mohd Izwan Shafuan bin Pengiran Md. Daud received a grant funding for his project “Light of Hope’, which focuses on Autism Awareness, working towards Integral Learning. His two part project leads towards his main project which is a Training Workshop for Early Years Educators and Carers basing on the theme of achieving Integral Learning. The project will be held sometime in February next year.

“It has been great to have such a strong support, those who believes in the power of Youth leadership” said Izwan. As part of his project launching, he collaborated with the US Embassy, Pusat Ehsan, Autism Advocates Brunei (an online platform on Facebook), Brunei US-Alumni Association and Ace-Creative Tuition School. He has also received positive responses from passionate volunteers and SMEs who are willing to take their time to contribute to those with Special Needs.

The main objectives of the campaign are to help understand some behavior problems seen in children with autism and to share some good collaboration approach with parents. It is also an opportunity to share ideas and pathways in enhancing professional development, to share how to continue the advocating on the right and needs of children with autism. Lastly, it aims to share different methods or services available in handling children with autism.

The main activities held during the event were the LEGO activity. “At its simplest level LEGO play is highly likely to engage those with autism, with very little need for intervention, with the structured nature of the toy providing entertainment and reward in itself. However, research has also shown that used in the right way it can also lead to development of both creative responses and aid development of communication for autistic children.” Izwan added. LEGO blocks were donated by P-nuts Food & Merchandise, a local based enterprise.

According to Rasyidah Samah, Founder of Autism Advocates Brunei, an online advocacy platform “Creative painting and drawing Art lessons and activities have benefits both practical and emotional well being. Some young autistic children may struggle with their motor skills, for which the simple act of guiding painting over paper or fabric can render a huge improvement. Viewing a child’s drawing opens a window into interests, preoccupations and emotions which unregarded in a child with ASD, who does not communicate these things in a conventional manner. This can provide the teacher with greater understanding the child, which is of enormous benefit it come to teaching them”. On a separate section of the activity corner, a mural painting activity was held with the students. The activity was led by Fiqah Rahman, a creative associate at Creativity180 and also a YSEALI alumni.

Krystal Chiuh, a psychology graduate and YSEALI member performed a sketch alongside with Wan Shahirah on Social Mind Theory. This social story performance aims educate on. Autism Social stories may help children with autism because of the hypothesis that individuals with autism lack a “theory of mind”. It proposed that having a theory of mind allows people to understand another person’s perspectives, desires and beliefs. Having a theory of mind is a bit like being able to say you’re able to “put yourself in another person’s shoes”

“A social story might work to explain social situations in terms of what another person might be thinking and/or why they may behave in certain ways; thus reducing or removing the confusion and unpredictability” stated Krystal.

According to Awangku Izwan, “Four projects are happening within two days, including this programe on autism awareness, sustainable farming, ocean conservation and safe migration practices”. Four team leaders, six YSEALI alumni, over 70 volunteers are taking part in the round of activities.

The launch was attended by Pengiran Datin Hajah Noraini binti Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Diraja Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin, Executive Trustee of Pusat Ehsan; and Haji Ahmad bin Haji Abdul Rahman, the Policy and Planning Trustee from the Board of Trustees at Pusat Ehsan.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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