Highlights of 2012 From Our Director

2012 has certainly gone by quickly in our fast-paced city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We had several amazing opportunities this year which started from the month of April 2012. We enjoyed two Progress Review trips with Dr. Perron and look forward to more next year.  

 

First Walk for Autism!

We took advantage of the Autism Awareness Day and organized our first ever Walk for Autism. Although our event fell on the same day as the national public demonstration for fair voting rights, we still had a good turnout of over 300 people!  Our walk was featured in local blogs, online newspapers, radio stations, and national newspapers! 

 

Media Coverage

Speaking of media coverage, EAP Malaysia and one of our clients were featured in a local TV programme – Astro Awani. In addition, recently in December, EAP Malaysia was highlighted in two more national newspapers. 

 

Networking & Conferences

Two of our supervisors had the opportunity to attend the National Early Childhood Intervention Conference earlier this year. They presented a poster at this conference and enjoyed listening to many different speakers.

 EAP Malaysia was also invited to speak at a number of different conferences – in the Philippines, Cambodia and locally at Gleneagles Hospital. Furthermore, we organized a few Sibling Days which we ourselves enjoyed (maybe even more than the siblings themselves!) as well as a couple of workshops – School Shadowing and Understanding Behaviour and Skill Building for High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's.

 

Tea with the Prime Minister’s Wife!

In October last year, we were invited to a small group discussion with Malaysia’s Prime Minister’s wife, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Binti Mansor at her home. Over a buffet spread around her dining table, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah shared her heart for autism and desire to start a center in Kuala Lumpur for children with autism. Only one other service provider and the National Autism Society (NASOM) as well as other government representatives were present. There are plans in the pipeline and we hope we get the opportunity to contribute some ideas in the treatment aspect of this project.

 

Our Blog!

For more information, articles and pictures of all our highlights, do check out our blog at www.eapmalaysia.blogspot.com.  We just started this blog in February 2012 to share more of our information with other families that may not be able to afford our services. We have even made a few How-To Videos for families to attempt to do some simple recommendations at home!

 

 

In a nutshell, these are all the major highlights of the year. We realized that since the time EAP Malaysia started in September 2006 to December 2012, we have worked with over 200 children in this region! So here's to an even better 2013!

 

"Anxiety in School"

As a preview to next month's theme, EAP Malaysia decided to highlight a video that features a child with ASD and the challenges she faces.

A typical kid would normally be motivated to attend school because of the social experience they gain from it. However, we find our kids do not find the whole "school experience" motivating. To name a few, fear of failure, fear of crowds, not knowing how to interact with other kids, not knowing how to interact with the teachers, are some of the challenges they may face.

The girl in this video displays a lot of anxiety when work gets too tough, when she finds she can't master it or is pushed to do work. In other words, her anxiety derives from fear of failure. In order to help her and motivate her through her work, her aides decided to implement a 'Reinforcement Break Schedule'. Within the space of 10 minutes the girl gets a star if she's able to reach three target behaviors, which in her case are; listen to teacher, complete classwork and use a talking voice. After she gets three stars, she gets to take a preferred break where she chooses from seven or eight different "treats".

The aides found that this sort of reinforcement works for her and progress can be seen. 

This is just one example of how we can help our kids get over their fears at school. A strong motivation factor is of course key to success.

Watch this short video to find out more.

 

Spreading Through The Web

EAP Malaysia was recently highlighted on Healing Thresholds; "a free website dedicated to healing the lives of families touched by autism". This website provides an intensive directory of various autism therapies for parents, therapists, teachers and physicians.

Take a look at what they wrote about us:

News: Wisconsin Early Autism Project Goes to Malaysia

The Early Autism Project Malaysia (EAP) is the first autism organization in Malaysia. The director, Jochebed Isaacs, trained at the Wisconsin Early Autism Project. Isaacs explained, "Through early intervention programmes, children with autism learn to express themselves better and recognise the basic skills of life like playing with other children and identifying bullies." EAP begins with children as young as 18 months and works with them one-on-one. The therapy focus of EAP is based on applied behavioral analysis (ABA) and therapists work with each child on language, social skills,cognitive skills, and preparation for school. Currently EAP charges parents a fee, but they are working on a budget-friendly plan and also offer a free blog, Autismmalaysia.

Read the full original article here.

My Autism and Me

Ever wondered how an individual with autism sees the world? To know and understand what it really means to be autistic? Watch this video and discover a world that is unique to individuals with autism.

 

"iPad as a Visual Modelling Tool"

Recently there was a snippet of EAP in the news. One of our therapists was observed using the iPad as a visual modelling tool. A visual model (or video model) is a form of observational learning in which desired behaviors are learned by watching a video demonstration and then imitating the targeted behavior. In other words, our therapists will record themselves engaging in the expected behavior and show it to the children. Our kids will watch the video and learn what is expected of them. Henceforth, therapist and child will role model and practice the targeted behavior.

 

Here at EAP Malaysia, the iPad is widely used by our kids and staff. Most times, the iPad is a motivating factor for our children, thus used solely as a reinforcer to reward our kids after they have reached a specific target or collected enough tokens. Other times the iPad can be used to do certain programs in a more approachable and fun way. Children can learn to differentiate items and match them to those similar as well as learn do to puzzles. With this method our children simultaneously become reinforced whilst learning.

puzzles

matching

While the iPad is widely used with our kids at EAP Malaysia, the most common usage of the iPad around the globe is as a communication tool. Those that are non-verbal can find their voice through the use of various apps that have been specifically designed for these individuals. Here's a short video showing how the use of an iPad can go a long way for individuals with autism.

Re: Clarification on Our Media Coverage

Following the error in the previous article that The Star Newspaper posted, another article was published by The New Straits Times that served better justice to EAP Malaysia.

This article projects the importance of early intervention programmes and highlights the current affairs at EAP Malaysia. Furthermore, our Director conveys a few messages explaining some features of autism and the benefits of such intervention programmes.

Read the full article here.

 

This second article depicts a real-life account of one of the family's at EAP Malaysia, and how ABA has been a great benefit to not only their children but themselves too.

Read the full story here.

On another note, EAP Malaysia truly appreciates the opportunity to spread awareness on autism as well as the publicity on the services that we offer.

It's a New Year!

Happy New Year!

We hope everyone had a wonderful break and a memorable Christmas and New Year.

With a New Year comes a new start! And what better way to start with a new look at EAP Malaysia! Here at EAP, we have welcomed in a New Logo and New T-shirts for all our therapists and consultants.

A New Blue!

And a black!

 And a white too!
All styled by our very own!

And of course, our New Logo!

A New Logo, a New Identity and a New T-Shirt! This change represents the direction in which EAP is going in. With a new year, we look forward to even more new and exciting adventures, with great colors, purpose and heart.

EAP Malaysia wishes everyone a fantastic New Year!