New hope for parents with autistic kids
Raising awareness: HRH Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah (C) watches a Learning Ladders child during the launching of Learning Ladders and autism awareness at Empire Hotel and Country Club.Picture: Syafie Nadi
Friday, May 23, 2008
RAISING awareness on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) within Brunei has been given another boost as a new organisation has joined in the "national effort" to help parents with autistic children face the developmental disability. With the consent of Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, the Learning Ladders society made a grand entrance into the Bruneian community as it was officially launched yesterday at the theatre of the Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Starting off as a group of families who came together to discuss the methods of improving the early diagnosis and early intervention of ASD, the number of parents participating in the meetings grew and the group decided to establish themselves formally as a non-profit organisation in 2007.
The president of the society, Dr Sharina Hj Yunus spoke about the challenges encountered by parents in raising their autistic children. She said that "tremendous strain" can be placed upon the family since parents can often feel alone when facing their problems.
The Learning Ladders society provided "emotional support" to those parents by sharing information and educating them on the disorder.
Being a parent of an autistic child herself, Dr Sharina said that there was hope for these children to develop to their maximum potential. The society supported the implementation of ABA, or Applied Behaviour Analysis, which has been scientifically proven to improve the outcome of children with ASD.
"What works for one child (with autism) may not necessarily work for another," she said. The society provided its members with an opportunity to "explore the benefits of ABA".
Shamsuddin Hj Kamaluddin, the husband of Norhaslinda Ibrahim, the society's vice president and the father of Raiyyan Iman, one of the 18 autistic children involved in the society shared his experiences as a parent affected by ASD with The Brunei Times.
"He doesn't respond to me. He knows I'm there but he doesn't choose to talk to me," he said. Shamsuddin then showed The Brunei Times what he meant by calling his son's name as he walked by. Raiyyan showed no signs of physical acknowledgement of his father's presence, despite standing less than a metre away from him.
"He's in a world of his own," Shamsuddin explained. He also stated that since Kerri Wilson, a behavioural therapist associated with Learning Ladders, worked with Raiyyan using the ABA technique, the five-year-old has been able to recognise certain objects and "attach some meaning to them".
The Australian expert who has had 17 years experience in behavioural analysis said that ABA was a "tool to measure the behaviour of children". She re-teaches the children from the very beginning and persuades them to imitate her and to communicate to her in their way.
In Raiyyan's case, she told The Brunei Times that he was initially a "non-verbal child" but after several sessions, he has improved and can say 'mama and baba'. She also added that his "receptive language was very high".
Dr Sharina also announced the society's future plan of opening a Learning Ladders learning centre, which would provide ABA therapy for autistic children. In the realisation of this goal, the society has made a proposal for a pilot project to which yesterday's event saw six sponsors signing pledges to the project.
A video presentation was also shown during the launch, which showcased "how autism has touched some families in Brunei and illustrates the unbreakable nature of the human spirit". After the ceremony, Her Royal Highness had the chance to interact with some of the children and meet some of the therapists from the society.
The Brunei Times
Starting off as a group of families who came together to discuss the methods of improving the early diagnosis and early intervention of ASD, the number of parents participating in the meetings grew and the group decided to establish themselves formally as a non-profit organisation in 2007.
The president of the society, Dr Sharina Hj Yunus spoke about the challenges encountered by parents in raising their autistic children. She said that "tremendous strain" can be placed upon the family since parents can often feel alone when facing their problems.
The Learning Ladders society provided "emotional support" to those parents by sharing information and educating them on the disorder.
Being a parent of an autistic child herself, Dr Sharina said that there was hope for these children to develop to their maximum potential. The society supported the implementation of ABA, or Applied Behaviour Analysis, which has been scientifically proven to improve the outcome of children with ASD.
"What works for one child (with autism) may not necessarily work for another," she said. The society provided its members with an opportunity to "explore the benefits of ABA".
Shamsuddin Hj Kamaluddin, the husband of Norhaslinda Ibrahim, the society's vice president and the father of Raiyyan Iman, one of the 18 autistic children involved in the society shared his experiences as a parent affected by ASD with The Brunei Times.
"He doesn't respond to me. He knows I'm there but he doesn't choose to talk to me," he said. Shamsuddin then showed The Brunei Times what he meant by calling his son's name as he walked by. Raiyyan showed no signs of physical acknowledgement of his father's presence, despite standing less than a metre away from him.
"He's in a world of his own," Shamsuddin explained. He also stated that since Kerri Wilson, a behavioural therapist associated with Learning Ladders, worked with Raiyyan using the ABA technique, the five-year-old has been able to recognise certain objects and "attach some meaning to them".
The Australian expert who has had 17 years experience in behavioural analysis said that ABA was a "tool to measure the behaviour of children". She re-teaches the children from the very beginning and persuades them to imitate her and to communicate to her in their way.
In Raiyyan's case, she told The Brunei Times that he was initially a "non-verbal child" but after several sessions, he has improved and can say 'mama and baba'. She also added that his "receptive language was very high".
Dr Sharina also announced the society's future plan of opening a Learning Ladders learning centre, which would provide ABA therapy for autistic children. In the realisation of this goal, the society has made a proposal for a pilot project to which yesterday's event saw six sponsors signing pledges to the project.
A video presentation was also shown during the launch, which showcased "how autism has touched some families in Brunei and illustrates the unbreakable nature of the human spirit". After the ceremony, Her Royal Highness had the chance to interact with some of the children and meet some of the therapists from the society.
The Brunei Times
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