Our Visit to The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM)

What We Liked the Most was The Way the Teacher carried out the activities at this center:

 As the  activity were carried out very neatly and organized. The teacher’s been very observant and alert at all times with the children. Besides that, the teachers make sure to lock the room to avoid the children from running out of the class. Moreover, the child did the flash card activity was sitting down on the teacher table with the main teacher. The teacher arranged 3 different numbers of flashcard on the table that is number 8, 3 and 1. Then, the teachers repeatedly ask the child to pick up number 8 for her. The child had to pick up the number 8 and give to the teacher. Meanwhile, the rest of the children were seated on table arrangement like a square shape with the assistant teacher and the children who were doing different activities such as play time activity, staking activity, putting coins in the bottles. They will doing with it without any trouble. Expect the child with the worksheet activity. She  got a bit restless and refuse to continue writing. Then, the teacher quickly change to another activity that is by giving the child alphabets to play with. The child took the letter “G” on her and said Region.

 Here Are Some of Pictures Of the Activities:

The Flash Card Session

The Girl doing Worksheet

The Play Time

Putting Coins in The Bottle

Staking According to Numbers

The  environment of  NASOM center:

The Playground

Badminton Court and Assembly Area

The Obstacle Course Area

The Entrance to the Classroom

 

Transportation Provided

Mini Gym

Play Room

Awards Received by the Centre

Swimming Pool

 Our Reflection:

When I went to NASOM centre, I found that some of the children are able to learn or play like normal children. The difference is, their teachers have to spend more energy and times to teach or guide them. What I observed is, most of them learned about fine motor and writing skill. I realized that they are able to hold the pencil and listen to instruction. I also found that they did not have behavior problem like screaming and running around the classroom. Most of them can even give eye contact to us when we visited their classroom. Besides that, they never feel scared to approach us and even showed curiosity towards the camera that, when we were snapping their photos.  Therefore, in my opinion, they can be considered as high functioning autism children and the children are well trained by the teachers. When the supervisor told us that, there are few more children with autism are applying to enter NASOM centre, I was shocked because this centre has received 86 children, but there  are still  some children with autism  waiting to be enroll. There are too many children  with  autism in our country who are waiting for an appropriate education and need help from us. Unfortunately, NASOM cannot receive them because lack of knowledgeable and qualified teacher in that field. As we know, not every teacher has willingness to work children with special need .