Amazing Umar

Twelve year old Umar, a Malaysian autistic child, amazes at the Kidzcare concert at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas with the song " I dreamed a dream"



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Autism Center must be saved

Quinn: Autism center must be saved By Adam Testa, The Southern
Thursday, June 18, 2009 10:55 PM CDT

CARBONDALE - Gov. Pat Quinn made his message clear within two minutes of walking into Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Wham Education Building, home of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

"We've got to save the program here," he said, shaking hands with center Director Tony Cuvo before a news conference. "We've got work to do."

The autism center was one of many stops Quinn has made recently on a statewide tour of social service entities, a tour many of his opponents have called fear-mongering.

Quinn, who is promoting citizen engagement in encouraging legislators to approve a state budget including a two-year, 50-percent income tax hike, decried those allegations, calling the tour "truth telling."

A state budget remains in gridlock in Springfield with a new fiscal year slated to begin July 1. A "doomsday" budget projects cuts of up to 50 percent to many of the state's social services, which Quinn said should not even be an option on the table.

"We have to have programs that help families stick together, stay together and move ahead," he said to a crowd of more than 100.

Cuvo addressed the crowd about the importance of the autism center and the role it plays in Southern Illinois. Through state funding, the center has assessed more than 460 children from the region, provided therapy to more than 120 of them, helped many autistic children transition into regular classrooms and affected the lives of families from about 115 communities across more than 30 counties, he said.

"They will have to go out of the region, including out of the state, to get diagnosed," Cuvo said of the effect the closure of the center, which would happen under the state's worst-case scenario budget. "It will be a very sad day for children with autism and their families throughout Illinois."

Quinn said he would not approve a budget that does not include an income tax increase and that cuts funding for essential social services. He also bashed a rumored possibility of operating the state budget on a month-by-month basis for six months, referring to it as the "juvenile way to go" and comparing it to the actions of his predecessor, ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"We are going to fight until our last day, until our last breath to save this program," Quinn said. "I don't want to cut the heart and soul of Illinois."

adam.testa@thesouthern.com, 618-351-5031

We are working hard to save ours in KL too..

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SOS! Autism Centre Closing Down - 14 June 2009

What is Autism? Kindly click here for google Information!

Both my sons are suffering from acute form of autism, and they have been going to this center for the past few months. This center was funded by a Kind Businessman via charity donation. Hence it has been offered as Free Service to those parents who cannot afford the full commercial service. I am one of those parent who need Early Intervention Program and cannot afford it.

The center was headed by a very experience teacher in autism management and intervention. He is a retiree and if he left this job I don't think he will be actively working for the good of autistic kids again. I want to secure his service and take over the operation of the center. I have the business experience and also autism management experience to turn this around.

We are not going to provide a free for all kind of services, but will be very affordable. We will have a trust fund setup to help those who cannot afford to pay for the service. Time is running out, 14 June 2009 is the deadline for the Current Center to cease operation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the owner of the current center for his contribution in past years.

Why am I here asking for help? I have no other way to go and seeking the help from whoever I can get my hand on to. We need the following: -

1. Premise - prefer a corner lot house with some garden area where we can setup sand and water therapy area.

2. Musical - Since autistic kids are very artistic and musically inclined, I want to setup some musical class to explore their potential. Any good working Piano or Electronic piano are needed. Can Yamaha donate some? Anyone who know someone in Yamaha?

3. Art - Art supply for painting and others

4. Renovation - Can some good soul help to pay for the renovation and furnishing of the center?

5. Telecommunication - Telephone, Fax and Internet access

6. Funding - We need at least one year of funding before we can be self funded. I will work out the requirement once we have more people come into play and willing to help

7. Teaching material - I have plenty in my house becasue both my sons are autistic and I have invested over the years.

Anyone can help me to published all the above? I have 2 weeks to put thing together before they closed it down. 20 kids will be affected if the center is closed down without giving them an alternative to go.

Update


29 May 9:32pm : Immediately we need a place to move all the material to. A place where we can start to put all the thing together. Funding can be later since we need a place to continue teaching those kids after 14 June 2009.

For those who ask me about the account number, I will ask NST tomorrow to see if they can help as independent party. Using my account will be a BIG conflict of Interest.

If you want to help to donate cash, piano, or anything that we can use. Please send me an email at Shiokx@gmail.com with the subject line of "I love to help"

29 May 10:11pm: A few friend comment that my english is really suck and they cannot really understand what am I talking about. Since I am an engineer by training, let me put it in point form: -

• The current Autism Center will cease operation on 14 June 2009 (CONFIRMED)
• 20 kids including my two sons will have no center to go after 14 June 2009
• We negotiate with the owner to take over the material and furnishing
• We need to find a new place, a corner lot house is ideal because we need outdoor/garden to setup Sand and Water Play Therapy
• We Have Not Setup a company just yet
• The idea is to have a SDN BHD as Center. This will be run as normal business center but provide affordable rate of service. The main Objective is to survive by itself.
• The SDN BHD Center will setup a trust fund to manage donation to help those needy.
• Immediate we need a House, Renovation and Funding for at least 1-2 years for Teachers and Operating Cost!

30 May, 12:55am: I have decide to publish my personal account number in Maybank! First I just did a statement summary of my Bank Account as off 30 May 2009. 00:52:23. Please refer to the attached print out from MayBank. We can trace backward from today onward and I am not going to use this account for any other purpose other than the center (Please double click on the image for larger view)



I have also done some budget for the initiate fund required. We would need RM40K to last us until Dec 2009



The following is my Maybank Account detail: -

Account Name : Yong Yek Ming
Account Number : 164847018858

or Paypal

30 May, 17:31pm: I belief this is Zorro Account Number. If you feel more comfortable to donate to his account instead of my Maybank, please do so and the cause is the same.



Update 4 June, 2009: We have received pledge and cash donation, Casio Keyboard and personal help





Click the above image for full or larger view. Thank you very much for your support.


Regards
Yong Yek Ming aka Shiok Guy

+60 12 208 2818 

Brothers, Sisters and Friends who highlighted our SOS call (pls email me if you carry our SOS call): -

• Zoro-Unmasked
• Niamah!!!
• Hornbill Unleased
  
• Malaysia For All
  
• Dream A Little More Dream 
  
• RUN IN DIVERSITY 
  
• YITYIENG TAN
  
• onelikming's Mansion
  
• Susan Loone's Blog
  
• jelas.info
  
• Eyes Wide Open
  

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Parents' Resource for Autism Malaysia (PR4A)

It was informally established more than 10 years ago when a motley group of parents, in light of limited choices and options, decided to actively intervene for their children. They took the initiative to bring in speakers to educate and train themselves on the resources available to help their children. In doing so, they shared what they learnt with other seeking parents. PR4A endeavours to empower parents as they ARE the primary caregivers, spending the most time with their children.


PR4A was formally registered as a society in August 2005 as the members felt that it would be more effective in representing the parents and securing aid. Click here to Visit PR4A

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Pump It Up

News clip from KETV on UNO NSSLHA group and their fundraiser for autism.







Autism Awareness


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World Autism Awareness Day 2009

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar, which declares April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, supported the campaign for a World Autism Awareness Day through the current 62nd UN General Assembly Session, garnering consensus support from all United Nations Member States.



This UN resolution is one of only three official disease-specific United Nations Days and will bring the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions. The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges.

World Autism Awareness Day shines a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. WAAD activities help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism epidemic and  impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. Additionally, WAAD celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism and is a day when individuals with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the globe.

By bringing together autism organizations all around the world, we will give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. Please join us in our effort to inspire compassion, inclusion and hope.

UN World Autism Awareness Day Resolution (.pdf format):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish

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UNICEF: Programme gives early warning of autism in Malaysia

Malaysia, 26 February 2008 -- Autism is a little-understood disability in Malaysia, one that often carries a social stigma. (Mindful of this, Mohamad's family has asked not to be identified by their real names.)

Malaysia's Ministry of Health reports that autism cases are on the rise. Unfortunately, most cases are not detected until children are already in school. While there is no cure for autism, early treatment during toddler and preschool years can reduce its effects and improve a child's development.

UNICEF and the Ministry of Health are working to help clinics and hospitals detect autism at an earlier age. A pilot programme is training medical professionals -- including psychiatrists, paediatricians, therapists and nurses -- on identifying and following up with children who may be autistic.



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A helping hand for Nasom

A helping hand for Nasom
Friday April 10, 2009 


BUY a Tony Roma’s Gift Pack and help make a difference in your community.

And, not only will those in need benefit from your charitable deed, you will be rewarded, too.

The Tony Roma’s Gift Pack is available at all Tony Roma’s outlets in the Klang Valley. Priced at RM10, it is worth more than RM20, and entitles one to receive a complimentary Half Onion Loaf and Kids Meal coupon.

The restaurant chain has recently initiated its Making A Difference @ Tony Roma’s programme in Malaysia to serve the local community, and to kick-start it, the restaurant has pledged to support the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) in conjunction with World Autism Month that is observed in April.



Giving back to society: Tony Roma’s staff at the launch of the restaurant’s pledge to support the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) in conjunction with World Autism Month.

To this end, all proceeds from the sale of the Gift Pack until April 30 will be channelled to Nasom. Tony Roma’s hopes to raise RM10,000 this month.

“Tony Roma’s restaurant has been well received here in Malaysia and we are very pleased, but as the saying goes, one makes a living by what we get, but makes a life by what we give; hence, we believe that it is time we gave back to society,” George Ang, group managing director of Grandpolitan Sdn Bhd, the exclusive franchisee of Tony Roma’s in Malaysia, said at the initiation of the programme in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.




“Providing and helping children in need is our main focus. We believe equal opportunities should be given to all children,” he added.

Nasom chairman Teh Beng Choon was delighted that Nasom was chosen. “In view of World Autism Month, Tony Roma’s support cannot be more timely. It is always wonderful when established and successful companies come forth to lend a helping hand.

“We certainly need all the support that we can get in order to continue providing education, help, care and protection for people with autism as well as their family.”

Formed in 1986 by a group of parents and professionals with the aim of delivering lifelong services to the community of persons suffering from autism, Nasom currently operates 19 intervention centres throughout the country.

The various educational and intervention programmes provided to its students include intensive early intervention programmes, elementary intervention and mainstreaming programmes, pre-vocational and vocational training programmes and a residential programme.

For more information, call Tony Roma’s at 03-7492 1188 (Sunway Pyramid); 03-7728 7833 (Cineleisure), 03-2143 3278 (Pavilion KL) or 03-2282 8243 (The Gardens).

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The National Autism Society of Malaysia

The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) is a society formed in 1986 by a group of parents and professionals. It was registered on 3rd March 1987, as a national voluntary charitable organization and aims at providing Education, Help, Care & Protection for people with autism and their family members.

Our children are born with a lifelong complex neurobiological disorder called Autism. In most cases, autism impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines or repetitive behaviours such as obsessively following schedules or arranging belongings in very specific ways. Autistic behaviours not only make life hard for people with autism but also make life hard for their families, their health care providers and teachers. However, autism does not have to be a life sentence. Intensive early intervention in optimal educational settings results in improved outcomes in most young children with autism, including speech in 75% or more and significant improvements in rates of developmental progress and intellectual performance (Rogers 1996). Through intensive education and behavioral management provided by NASOM, we have seen children emerging’ from their autistic disabilities to function like a near-normal child.

Currently, NASOM has established 11 Autism Early Intervention Programs and 3 Vocational Programs for people inflicted with autism in Malaysia. Maintaining and developing all these programmes at the 14 centres require a staggering sum of RM2 million annually (2004).

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Drumming up Support

Wednesday April 8, 2009
Drumming up support
By PANG HIN YUE

In conjunction with the United Nations’ annual Autism Awareness campaign, persons with autism will be performing in a concert hand-in-hand with the stars come May 8.

WHEN it comes to lending a hand to special needs groups, musician Edwin Nathaniel never misses a beat. Although he has a tight schedule, Edwin, the front man of the legendary Aseana Percussion Unit (APU), is determined to make time for his pet projects.

“I have always enjoyed doing social work through church and other community groups. Besides, I love kids,” says the father of two. So when he was approached by one of the members of the support group Parents’ Resource for Autism (PR4A) on the possibility of training and performing with their autistic children, Edwin did not hesitate.

Although it is his first time working with persons with autism on drums and percussions, he is no stranger to teaming up with other special needs groups.

For the past eight years, Edwin has been teaching students at the Selangor and Federal Territory Spastic Children’s Association (SCAS) in Petaling Jaya on a weekly basis to get them into the groove of creating their own unique brand of music with drums, percussions and even cooking utensils.

APU started out as an ensemble of four in 1998 and over the years, the band has expanded to encompass a culturally diverse group of musicians numbering 11. It earns the distinction of being the band that creates its own music with a fusion of jazz and ethnic music, using a myriad of drums and percussions.
Edwin Nathaniel of Aseana Percussion Unit teaching students with autism in a drum circle.



“APU wants to spread the joy and fun of playing drums,” says Edwin. “Drumming brings people together. It creates a bond. There is a no hierarchy, no power play. You don’t need to be a drummer or musician to be in our drum circle. As long as your heart is beating, you’ve got the rhythm.”

Edwin’s passion for drums prompted him to approach SCAS and offer APU’s services. Week after week, Edwin and his team kept at it.

In 2000, they formed Rhythm Support to reach out to more special needs people. They pioneered the Rhythm Interactive Spastic Enabler Programme (RISE) which revolves around the idea of having fun while making music using instruments such as congas, shakers, bells, hand drums, tabla and kompang.

“It is a form of music therapy as it incorporates exercises to help improve body movement and co-ordination,” explains Edwin. It is also done in an interactive manner to instil team spirit, discipline and self-confidence. It is hoped that through various ways of engaging special needs students, they will develop an appreciation for music and create their own beat.

APU has since extended its services to coaching the visually and hearing-impaired, and residents in old folk’s homes.

The good works of APU have not gone unnoticed. APU won the 2006 BOH Cameronian Award for its innovative music and earned a trip to Britain, sponsored by the British Council. There, Edwin witnessed first-hand how the creation of music through the blending of rhythms and sounds in drum circles, can serve as a form of therapy to bring cheer to patients in hospitals.

Another break followed when the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage sponsored Edwin’s trip to Hawaii in 2006 to attend a facilitators’ training course at the Village Music Circle. Edwin learnt how to teach music to both special needs and regular children in a community-based setting.

Till this day, Edwin keeps in touch with like-minded musicians worldwide through the Drum Circle Group to share his experience and to gain fresh insight into drawing the community together, using music as a tool to bind them.

Edwin will be teaming up with 15 students with autism to hold a concert next month to raise money for PR4A. Themed Hand in Hand with the Stars, the concert will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 8 to 10.

“We have a month to practise and we are confident that if we do it with an element of fun, the students will enjoy it,” says Edwin, adding that he is working with his teammate, Paul Lau, to bring the concert to fruition.

PR4A president K.C. Lim says the money raised will go towards the support group’s plan to set up centres in the Klang Valley, Ipoh, Penang and Malacca to train parents in various forms of therapy. This will empower parents to take charge and cut down on the cost of hiring consultants.

“We are working towards setting up one-stop centres to help parents learn the various forms of therapy,” says Lim. “Then they can train other parents and provide the kids with access to different types of intervention. These training sessions are targeted at parents who can’t afford to enlist experts to provide therapy for their children.

“We are proposing to hire experts in their respective fields such as Applied Behaviour Analysis, Sensory Integration and Occupational Therapy to train parents,” says Lim.

To date, PR4A had raised RM100,000 from last year’s art exhibition and fund-raising dinner themed Artists with Autism: Awakening, Aspiring, Attaining that was held in conjunction with the United Nations’ inaugural Autism Awareness campaign.

The support group hopes to repeat a similar feat this year by raising money through the concert and an art exhibition entitled Artists with Autism 2009 at Sunway Pyramid shopping mall from April 21 to 28. Paintings, pottery and artworks done by persons with autism will be on sale.

“Our ultimate aim is to empower parents to be both teacher and therapist to their children. We hope more experts and artistes will come forward to work hand-in-hand with us to help our children realise their full potential,” adds Lim.

Those interested in attending Hand in Hand with the Stars concert at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 8-10, please contact Ticketpro Malaysia / Ticket Hotline (03-7880 7999 / 03-7880 4992 / fax no: 03-7880 8266 / e-mail: cbelinda@hackinthebox.org).

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