Nilai University College (Nilai UC) recently organized a seminar entitled 'Making sense of another piece of the puzzle: Updates on High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome'. Co-organised with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and sponsored by PK Resources (Nilai UC's parent company), the event attracted close to 300 participants comprising parents and healthcare professionals came turned up to listen to the invited speakers.
Dr Alvin Ng Lai Oon got proceeding underway by emphasizing the importance of parental involvement in their children's treatment. "Many parents expect us to wave a magic wand and the child will be cured. Unfortunately, it does not work that way and they need to actively be involved in the child's treatment as it is they who know their child best," said Ng.
He also told parents to be patient when going through the routine of treatment. "I know many of you take your child to see a multitude of specialists ranging from speech therapists to psychologists. Sometimes, they will ask you to do similar exercises with your child. That does not mean you stop going as each specialist is looking for different items with that exercise, so please be patient," Ng explained.
Dr Ng is currently the senior lecturer in clinical psychology at the Health Psychology Unit, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University Kebangsaan Malaysia where he also works as a consultant clinical psychologist at the Health Psychology Clinic. His clinical consultation covers both adults and children with psychological, behavioral and learning difficulties. His specialties include behaviour management (analysis and modification of behaviour), self-esteem building, intervention for depression and anxiety disorders, as well as managing children with special needs.
Symptoms, behavioural patterns and how best to deal with them was the focus of the next speaker, Winnie Lau Yu Pow. Lau who has garnered invaluable experience whilst working with people with complex needs through her time at New Zealand’s Ministry of Education as well as Australia's autistic and Asperger’s Syndrome clinic Minds and Hearts.
Lau had the participant's rapt attention and was quick to point out that on many occasions children with autism or Asperger's Syndrome display exceptional skills in certain areas such as painting or music. She told parents had to be careful that they are not over zealous in their efforts to "cure" their child that they wipe out their special gifts as well.
Lau also touched on the subject when autistic children may go berserk or behave in an uncontrollable manner when upset. She told parents that through careful observation, they could actually detect what causes their child to go berserk or get upset. Trained specialists will also be of great help as they may be able to isolate the offending cause, which may be as innocuous as the sound of a rotating fan from the next room.
The last speaker was Dr Zasmani Shafiee, a psychiatrist who conducts diagnostic evaluations on children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome, hyperactivity or ADHD and dyslexia or reading difficulties. She has over 20 years experience and uses education counseling, individual or family therapy, medication, behaviour modification, and biofeedback training to treat patients.
Dr Zasmani was keen to emphasise to the participants, in particular the parents, that sufferers with autism or Asperger's Syndrome can lead a normal life. She points to patients who have gotten married and start families but it was imperative that these patients receive the maximum amount of support from their immediate family.
At the end of the session, the speakers were inundated with questions from fellow professionals in the healthcare industry as well as concerned parents. The chairman of Nilai UC, Tan Sri Dato' Dr Gan Kong Seng expressed his gratitude towards the speakers and hoped to do more for the autistic and Asperger's Syndrome-affected community.
"Nilai University College is determined to organize more seminars and conferences on issues that will benefit the public. This is education for all in the broadest sense and Nilai UC is dedicated towards the spread of knowledge," said Dr Gan.
