by KT Leong
Autism Kita Spectrum Day will be coming to Bazar Ipoh (previously Silveritage) this coming December 17 (Saturday) from 9 am to 5 pm.
But this won’t be just any normal event for creating awareness on autism. Instead, it will feature many activities and will be worth visiting, even if you don’t have anyone with autism in your family.
There will be a Funride event featuring many sorts of motorbikes, a skateboard competition, graffiti art, Hot Wheels track racing, rap music, poetry and even E-Sports for the younger generation.
Parents are also encouraged to bring their children as there will be a firetruck show and a number of free toys.
On top of that, there will be plenty of vendors for merchandise as well as some food.
There will also be educational and awareness sessions on autism, such as sharing from Mr. Adli from the Autism Cafe Project Malaysia.
When asked about the event and its partners, Mr. Shaiful who is organising the event, said that he was targeting the younger demographic; the Generation XYZ. He wanted younger people to be aware of and better understand autism, as he had to go at it “blind” when his own child was diagnosed with autism. He explained that unlike Down Syndrome for instance, people with autism don’t show physical signs of the condition. They look just like anyone else.
Instead, it is more to do with the behaviour and senses of the person with autism, which is not even considered a disease but a disability, as diseases can be cured with medication, but autism requires treatment via therapy.
Asked to explain a little bit more about autism, as information on the condition can be scarce or unclear, Mr. Shaiful explained that the symptoms and severity can vary from person to person. Which is why autism is known as being a spectrum. But some symptoms include repetitive movement like flapping their hands when excited or arranging their toys rather than playing with them. An example of the sensory aspect would be if it were raining, as someone with autism may become distressed when they can hear the pitter patter of rain outside, but can’t see it as they are indoors.
A child with autism may be unable to make eye contact, which would make the adult they’re speaking to think that they were being rude or disrespectful. The child may also find the behaviour of other children confusing, which would make it difficult for them to socialise while opening themselves up for bullying. This can carry into adulthood, where depression and even suicidal thoughts are more common in people with autism, according to Autistica, an autism research and campaigning charity from the UK.
So to learn more about autism, or even just to have a good time, readers are encouraged to go to the event, which promises to be both fun yet meaningful.
AUTISM KITA SPECTRUM DAY
Don’t Bully Don’t Discriminate
Date: December 17
Day: Saturday
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Venue: Bazar Ipoh (previously Silveritage)
