Sunway Putra Mall launches ‘Autsome April’ for WAAD 2019

Sunway Putra Mall has kick-started “Autsome April” ─ a month of workshops, movie screenings, talks as well as fun-filled and educational activities prepared specially for the autism community in conjunction with World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) on April 2, 2019. Sunway Putra Mall is Malaysia’s first and only autism-friendly mall and Autsome (Autism is Awesome) is their initiative that aims to educate the public and to advocate acceptance and inclusiveness as well as celebrate the autism community which is in line with Sunway’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of Reducing Inequalities in the move towards Sustainable Cities and Communities. With April being autism awareness month, come one come all to join together in celebrating WAAD 2019 at Sunway Putra Mall’s Autsome April. The activities lined up for Autsome April are: About WAAD On April 2 of each year, the United Nations (UN) observes World Autism Awareness Day which is celebrated internationally to increase community awareness on individuals especially children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The theme adopted by the UN for WAAD 2019 is “Assistive Technologies, Active Participation”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vbVR10mwDkEA&featureyoutu.be Sunway Putra Mall and the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) celebrated this day with more than 200 autistic children showing off their capabilities in song, dance, music and art amid an appreciative crowd. Present at the event were YB Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development; HC Chan, CEO of Sunway Malls and Theme Parks; Phang Sau Lian, General Manager of Sunway Putra Mall; Feilina SY Muhammad Feisol, Chairman of NASOM and 12 Autism Champions’ Representatives; Sunway Putra Mall, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Danajamin Nasional Berhad, Ronald McDonald House of Charities, Malaysian Ministry of Sports and Youth, Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd, Tunku Mona Riza binti Tunku Khalid, Zarina Zainuddin and Clarence Kang Zheng Wei, Umar Hasfizal and Wan Jamila Wan Shaiful Bahri. Public, Private and NGOs Working in Concert In opening the event, Chan said: “At Sunway, our vision is to become Asia’s model of sustainable development and we are projecting a more inclusive as well as sustainable pathway.” Hannah Yeoh congratulated the mall for being the first autism-friendly mall in Malaysia and stressed that, “Initiatives as such should be implemented in other sectors and I hope to see Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focus more for the disabled individuals and make it as a new culture in the corporate community.” She said, on her side, her ministry has already initiated dialogues with other ministries such as the Human Resources Ministry and Agricultural and Agro-Based Industry Ministry to see what other facilities can be offered to those with ASD. There are currently 22,000 autistic individuals registered with the Welfare Department although Yeoh believes the actual numbers are higher. "Because it is such a wide spectrum, we need more people to come on board to support the families and also the children," she said. However, some strides have already been made such as the police who recently announced a new standard operating procedure to deal with suspects with autism and the National Youth Skills Institute's (IKBN) under the Youth and Sports Ministry that will be accepting students with autism starting in 2020. NASOM NASOM, on their part, has initiated a national-level autism campaign via the National Autism Week (NAW). While the themes for WAAD usually follow those adopted by the UN, the themes for NAW are tailored more to the local situation and needs. The theme for NAW2019 is “Making Sense of Autism”. The underlying aim is to shift society’s attitude from mere autism awareness to acceptance and real action for inclusion. “Children, youth and adults with Autism in Malaysia are still being denied their rights under relevant UN conventions and are being excluded from various aspects of life,” said Feilina Muhammad Feisol, explaining there are six focus areas they will be working on: The need for consistent understanding on autism The need for quality, reliable and up-to-date data Importance of early detection, diagnosis and intervention The need for whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to autism Help and support for parents and family Making the rights real for persons with disabilities for a better Malaysia “These six focus areas are supported by a total of 16 enabling initiatives to be carried out in 2019-2020,” she added, detailing the steps that would be taken moving forward. NASOM is the first and only national society for the autism cause in Malaysia since 1987. It is the only NGO that provides lifelong services and support to persons with autism in Malaysia. It is a parent-driven, tax-exempt charity that depends on public donation and contribution to serve persons with autism of all ages without selection, discrimination and exit criteria. NASOM is the only Malaysian member of the ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) and World Autism Organisation. NASOM will be hosting AAN Congress and ASEAN Autism Games 2020 and World Autism Congress 2022. Humanoid Robot NAO The event continued with the official commemoration of the Humanoid Robot NAO as part of the assistive technologies that have been shown to have positive effects on the social-cognitive behaviour of brain-impaired children, particularly those with autism. Sunway Putra Mall was presented with a Certificate of Recognition together with the other 11 individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions in making differences to the autism community. The award recognised the mall for its Autism-Friendly Initiative which has truly impacted public awareness and acceptance of the ASD community. A choir performance by NASOM Maestro singing two songs then took the stage, followed by autistic singer Umar Hasfizal who blew everyone away with his captivating voice. Next was a special dance performance by Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI) students of Sekolah Menengah Taman Melawati, and for a stunning finale, Clarence Kang Zheng Wei, an autistic savant-pianist, enthralled guests with Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata. https://www.youtube.com/watch?viFSfuAHrG9Q&featureyoutu.be The event ended with a tour around the Autsome Bazaar where comic books by Andi Meranti, paintings by Anthony Lee, Pua Zhe Xuan and Amira Daniea, DIY accessories by Denack and other unique products made by autistic individuals were available for sale. A total of 10% of the proceeds will be donated to NASOM to help the autism community in Malaysia. Be Autsome Apart from enjoying Sunway Putra Mall's autism-friendly features, facilities, privileges and services, the autism community is invited to become a member of Sunway Putra Mall's Autsome because every Tuesday, Autsome members enjoy shopping convenience at participating outlets such as Cold Storage, The Parenthood Playland, C-A-T Playground, The Body Shop, Padini, The Chicken Rice Shop, Dolly Dim Sum, Onde Onde, Kampung Kravers, Swensons, Krispy Kreme and more. Several of these outlets and others have gone the extra mile by offering exclusive promotions such as free entry and 10% off all items. For more information on Autsome, follow Sunway Putra Mall's official Facebook page, Instagram, visit the website or call:03-2786-9333.

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