Sunway Psychology Department Celebrates World Autism Awareness Month 2022

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a diverse group of conditions that developed in early childhood and about one in 68 children has ASD (WHO, 2021). ASD is a lifelong developmental condition which affects different people in different ways. With the increase awareness of early diagnosis and intervention among the parents over the years, some autism children who are academically competent are now continuing their studies in higher education. However, these students have additional learning disabilities that are poorly understood by academicians as well as their peers. For example, autistic students faced challenges persuading academic staff to make reasonable adjustments to coursework and usual teaching practices. They may also have problem making friends as well as doing group assignment with their peers.    In conjunction with World Autism Awareness Month 2022 in April, the Department of Psychology, Sunway Psychology Club and Student LIFE at Sunway University, held four events to support autism students and increase awareness at the university.   1. Forum- A DIALOGUE OF AUTISM: Early or Late? 12/4/2022 (Tue) 1-230pm Speakers: Dr Daniel Leong, Dr Tan Gek Ling & Ms Intan Miranti Moderator: Prof Alvin Ng Lai Oon Summary: When come to ASD diagnosis, it is never too early or too late. In fact, diagnosis is getting to know your child’s strength, limitation and potential to growth. The panel has discussed the process of assessment and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, disclosure of ASD and how we can plan the future according to family values and the child’s need.  2. Workshop: Supporting Peers with Autism & Teh Tarik Session 21/4/2022 (Thu) 9am-1230pm Ms Eng Qian Jun & Mr Charles Yip Moderator: Dr. Wo Su Woan Summary: Ms Eng has addressed the role of counselling and student welfare unit in helping autism students as well as other learning disabilities, the concept of disability and inclusion, and barriers to accessibility and support. Empathy exercise were practiced to help academicians and students understand how autism student can be helped both inside classroom and outside classroom. Lastly, a teh tarik session with Mr Charles to discuss how student welfare can make reasonable adjustment to students who need additional support.    3. Autism in Higher Education 28/4/2022 (Thu) 9am Speaker: Dr Elizabeth Laugeson Moderator: Prof Alvin Ng Lai Oon Summary: Dr Laugeson has shared the aspects of autism that can make everyday life challenging—reading social cues, understanding another's perspectives, making friends in college. Dr Laugeson has also introduced the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) which providing evidence-based social skills treatment to help young adults with ASD.
  4. 29/4/2022 (Fri) 5-630pm Research Forum: Demystifying Autism: What does the research say? Speakers: Prof Peter Mitchell, Assoc Prof Elizabeth Sheppard, Assoc Prof Marieke De Vries and Dr Kartini Ilias. Moderator: Prof Alvin Ng Lai Oon  Summary: The forum started with discussing the misconceptions of autism by the public. The panel has shared the latest research on autism that research has swift from understanding theory of mind in autism individual. One of the current studies was to investigate the how autistic individual responding to a more natural situation such as responding to someone telling a joke.