Children of The Stars


I was touched with the article entitled "My child is not a weirdo, he is living in his own world, that's all" in Sin Chew Plus last Saturday (25 Feb 2012).


In the article, it shared about a touching movie starred by Jet Li "Ocean Heaven". Sam Wong (played by Jet Li) works in an aquarium and he struggles to look after his 21 year old autistic son Dafu (played by Wen Zhang). Sam has single handedly brought up his son since his wife passed away 14 years ago and looks after him day and night attempting to help him learn basic skills such as cooking, mopping, shopping, taking public transport in order to get Dafu ready for himself if he were to pass away one day. Sam Wong went through tough time and feeling helpless many a times.

I must say that I am fortunate that my children are healthy. But there was a moment where we suspected that our older child may have mild autism as she does not communicate as well as the other kids of her age. It was rather helpless when we couldn't find much information on how to deal with this question marks in our head. I am sure that we are not alone. I thought it would be nice for me to condense what I have read for the reference of those who are in need of assistance.


Based on KKM's data in 2010, there bound to be 1 autistic kid in every 600 Malaysian kids. If you have one, let me tell you that....autistic kids are children to the stars. They speak to the stars and only stars understand their language. To help these "children of the stars", we shouldn't attempt to bring them into our life, but we should try getting to know "their world" and getting to know them with passion and love by entering into "their world".

Understanding Autism
Autism often comes with mentally disability, hyperactive issue and emotionally unstable. The chances of autism to appear in the first boy is higher compared to the first girl by 3 to 4 times. Till date, there is not medication to cure autism. However, over the years, there have been numerous combination of language and emotional coaches have helped to stabilize the problem. The unstableness in the child can sometimes be soothed through physical, music activities.


The Causes of Autism
Over the years of research, it is proven that Autism does not cause by the background of the parents nor the way how the child was brought up. It is an inborn problem which occurred due to the development of nerve system or brain damage before he or she was born. If one of the twins is autistic, the chances of the other twin gets mild autism is between 10 to 20%.


If the mother got infected by measles during pregnancy, it increases the chances of autism in the unborn child. Other pregnancy complications such as incomplete brain growth (in the unborn child), early birth, etc will also increase the chances of an autistic case.


Ultimately, it takes lots of patience and love to learn how to love an autistic child. I am no expert in this area but I think the experts in Malaysia can help you to understand your child better. My advise is every child is unique in their own way. Never believe one professional even though he or she is good. Who else know your child better than you do? Their advices are merely reference and you should follow your heart.


Good luck and endure the process... it is all worth it.


Associations / Schools References


NASOM
www.nasom.com.my


Malaysian Care
www.malaysiancare.org


Persatuan Kanner Melaka (formally known as Persatuan Autisma Melaka Tengah)
Tel: 606. 286 2926


Kits4Kids Special School
www.kits4kids.org


Pusat Harian Kanak-kanak Istimewa Negeri Sembilan, PHKINS
Tel: 603. 8736 6385 or 606 761 6538


Hua Ming Autism Society
autism.org.my


IMPIAN Institute (Institut Masalah Pembelajaran & Autism Malaysia)
www.impianautism.com


Special Children Society of Ampang
www.scsoa.org.my


Parent's Resources for Autism
www.pr4a.org.my


MAJoseph Special Needs
www.myautisticmalaysia.com


Dignity and Services
dignityandservices.blogspot.com


United Voice
www.unitedvoice.com.my


EIP Autism
epiautism.com


Lion's REACH, Resource and Education for Autistic Children Centre
lionsreach.net


SPS Special Children Association
Tel: 604 593 1137


Glory Learning Centre
6012 773 5357, 6012 382 5591, 6012 704 4266


Kuching Autistic Association, KAA
www.saa.org.my


Sibu Autistic Association
sibuautisticassociation@gmail.com

My First Trip to Johor Premium Outlet (JPO)


After hearing so many good comments about JPO, I finally got a chance to make a trip down south to Johor Premium Outlet. We drove down there in our company car - a Nissan MPV with four of us in the car. I enjoyed myself as I got to drive (which I enjoyed more than being a passenger).


It was a good trip as the the traffic was not too bad and the weather was great. Hence, it only took us 3.5 hours (included a 10mins toilet break). Of course to do so, I kept the car speed consistently between 140 to 150km/h.


If you have not been there, just take the north-south highway and take the exit after Kulaijaya (I think it says Desaru somewhere on the exit signboard). JPO is only about 5 mins away.


For direction to JPO, click here. 


My first impression on JPO is .... It is not too far away (3.5 hours from Kuala Lumpur) and it looked pleasant. (Well, Genting Holding wouldn't put their money to waste). The brand mix is quite diversified. I saw a main brands under FJ Benjamin (GUESS, RAOUL, GAP, La Senza), Club21 (DKNY, CK), and majority of the stores under the umbrella of Valiram (Michael Kors, Coach, Tumi, Swiss Watch Gallery, Canali, Shanghai Tang, etc), Ralph Lauren, Burberry, and many more. Click here for JPO centre map. 

Top: A photo of COACH Factory 

I eagerly wanted to check out Burberry coz my colleague (who had been here in January) told me that the goods are cheap. (Gossip! Amber Chia apparently bought a few goodies during her last trip) Unfortunately, it was quite disappointing as nothing in the store caught my interest. The current collection available in store has too many spikes on the leather goods. (I don't like the rock star feel) My boss, on the other hand, was interested in a really nice shawl but we dropped chin when the store staff told us that the shawl originally cost $3,800 and the price after discount was $1,300. Isn't it super expensive?


The area is smaller than I imagined but it is brand new retail experience. Worth a visit if u are happen to be down south.

Top: A photo overlooking the banglo-like store that houses Zegna Outlet Store with Maybank at the side 

(for you to withdraw $ before your shopping spree =)

Bottom: GUESS Signage on the side of the mall