Rewarding experience to work at autism centre

Fun classroom games and learning activities are conducted at the PDRM-Pengaman Autism Centre. – Photos: ONG SOON HIN/The Star

IT has been a rewarding experience helping autistic children at the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)- Pengaman Autism Centre, says intervention officer Suriani Said.

“I have been dealing with special needs children for about nine years.

“Each child requires a different approach.

“There are those who like to knock their heads against the wall, while there are also those who like to bite. We have to care for them based on their needs. In short, there is no one-solution-fits-all for the children,” she says.

The 36-year-old officer, whose exposure to autism began as a teaching assistant at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2011, says patience, compassion and dedication are important in helping children with autism.

Suriani says each child requires a different approach and there is no one-solution-fits-all for them.

“It is challenging but helping the children is my calling. At the end of the day, I am grateful that I was able to make a difference in their lives,” she says.

Fellow intervention officer Norasilawati Abdul Ghani, 30, says brainstorming with other officers is also an integral part in helping autistic children.

“We also look for creative ways to assist them. If any one of us faces a stumbling block, we will discuss our experiences together and come up with the best solutions,” she says.

The officers also give consultations to the parents, whereby they emphasise the need for the ‘lessons’ to be done at home as well.

Norasilawati says brainstorming with other officers is an integral part in helping autistic children.

“At the start of enrolment, parents are asked to observe how the officers assist their children.After a month, the parents will be asked to do the same in front of the officers. We always remind them that the ‘teachings’ must be continued at home,” says Norasilawati.

The teaching staff or intervention officers at the centre were carefully chosen from those at Genius Kurnia, an early intervention centre for children with autism.

“They are chosen because they are among the best in the field.

“The intervention officers have no less than six years experience in dealing with special needs children,” says Yayasan Pengaman general manager, Azura Izham

Occupational therapist Shahidah Abd Aziz, 26, meanwhile says she focuses on the skills, motor functions and physical attributes of the children.

“Special needs children are usually lacking such attributes. We will teach them and monitor their progress. For example, we will focus on hand muscle exercises before teaching the children to write,” she says.

Shahidah says she focuses on the skills, motor functions and physical attributes of the children.

Shahidah, who joined the centre in August last year, says it has been a rewarding experience to work at the centre.

“The centre provides a conducive environment to help autistic children,” she says.