Special Education in KL - #PPKI

PPKI - Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi is a supporting system that is offered in selected government schools in Malaysia to assist Special Need students in their education. Have you heard of it?

Well, I haven't until I come across this PPKI signage at SK Batu KL and that's when I started googling for more information. Unfortunately, detailed information is not avail to me from the official website. I gave up searching at some point and started looking out for private institutions such as private schools and homeschools.

After hearing from various resources and of course the fee of private educational centres has becoming a burden now that we are expecting another baby in the family. That's when I asked for some guidance on various educational related FB groups about PPKI classes again. 

To my surprise, a satellite city like Penang has better supporting system for such information. Also through the Penang group, I got to know some of the benefits about #OKU card. I will touch on the OKU card application process later.

To enrol your little one into a PPKI class of your selected school, the student needs to hold an OKU card. OKU card is issued to children or adults with challenges. In this case, my girl has learning difficulties (Global Development Delay) which is one of the many challenges listed.

You can follow the usual procedures of applying for three preferred schools from March onwards two years before he or she turns 7 years old.

There are quite a few documents that school needs for each school enrollment. Here is a list which I got it from Jabatan Pendidikan KL for your kind reference. 

Here I am also sharing with you the list of schools in KL that offer PPKI classes. 

PPKI classes (in my understanding) are classes conducted (in selected government schools) by trained special need teachers who would teach students of various ages based on their progress. However, not all schools are well-staffed with this type of teachers for all subjects. Some PPKI schools may only have such teach for 1 or 2 subjects. 

However, what matters to me really is that these teachers are trained to teach and love our special children. The speed of our children' progress should be least of our priority. Don't we just want our children to still enjoying his or her studies? We should celebrate every little milestone in our children life. 

Well, good news to parents who think otherwise - in the event if your child does progress fast and he or she may be recommended to the regular classes eventually. So.... don't worry! 

Letter To My Late Granny 1

Hello 爷爷， 嬷嬷，

I came to Singapore for few days for a business meeting. Here I am extending two days here to pay visits to my friends - Joanne who had just given birth to a lovely boy named Leo; and of course to catch up with an old friend - Chelsea whom I have known for more than 10 years now.

This is little Leo in his sweet dream.

What amazed me is that I stayed
In a small boutique hotel called Grand Santa Hotel Lai Chun Yuen in Chinatown, and it brought me to find a Pun Yu Association around the corner. Look!


I went on a tour inside of the association and there were so many photos of the patrons of this association and their past activities. Although I did not relate to any of the photos nor activities but it feels close to my heart. It is because of both of you 爷爷嬷嬷 that we were told so much bout Pun Yu. Pun Yu is where both of you belonged and in Pun Yu Association I feel close "to both of you"!

I miss both of you so so so much!

Coffee of Hawaii at Damansara Perdana- a Deaf-In Business (DIB) Project





Two weekends ago, we came across this new cafe near Mum's Place in Damansara Perdana. We initially wanted to grab a bite at Mum's Place but the restaurant was not opened yet. We picked Coffee of Hawaii over the other nearby cafe as we were attracted by the vivid wall painting on the restaurant wall. (See above)


Coffee of Hawaii is the first Deaf-In Business. The restaurant offers the deaf community a place to try living and working like anyone of us. They are not only working at servers but some of those with baking and cooking skills are even working in the kitchen (The operator even told me that one of the bakers used to work in RT Pastry!). Trust me! They are working like any normal workers. In order for us to communicate with them, the considered business operator even had sign language chart painted on the wall (at the main entrance) and also at the reverse side of the menu. With these guides, you can definitely be able to communicate with them without any problems. Come! Let's learn a few sign language from the designated "tutor of Coffee of Hawaii - Mila"!





DIB offers lunch sets (see below) from Aloha Chicken, Spaghetti Chicken Ball and Chicken Wings. My husband ordered the spaghetti while I had the Aloha Chicken. The food is in decent portion and it tasted good too! The owner is also very nice to still offer us the sets although we walked in beyond 2.30pm. Oh yeah! The food ingredients used at Coffee of Hawaii are from Halal sources. 





Spaghetti Chicken Ball which my husband had - RM12.50



This is my Aloha Chicken - RM14.50



There are also wide selection of desserts being sold at the restaurant such as Passionfruit Mousse (RM3 each cup),  Pineapple Cheese Cake (RM6 per slice), Passion Fruit Cheesecake (RM6 per slice) and many more. The operator even gave us some home-made passion fruits ice cream for us (and all the other diners) to sample. I must say it is very smooth and unique. (I realized that Hawaiian loves Passion Fruit! It is a great fruit packed with Vitamins and Antioxidant for sure!)

Lastly, it has to be their unique selection of coffee bean - air flown from Hawaii. For coffee connoisseurs, this is a must try item! If you like the coffee which you order, you can even buy a packet of the coffee bean back home. 

DiB COFFEES OF HAWAII 
11-A-1, Jalan PJU 8/5A, 
Bandar Damansara Perdana,
47820 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel No : +603-7710 4752/3152
GPS Coordinates : N 03 09′ 53.9″ E 101 36′ 22.0″
Business Hours : Mon-Thurs (9.30am – 10.30pm), Fri-Sun (9.30am – 11.00pm)

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

Girard-Perregaux Supports The Andrea Bocelli Foundation

About a month ago, watch manufacture Girard-Perregaux announced its support behind the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, which was launched before the end of the year with a Benefit Gala in Los Angeles on December 9^th. The event featured performances by Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, Heather Headley and Anna Maria Martinez.

Bocelli, who is the best selling classical solo artist in the world, suffers from blindness. He lost his sight when he was 12 years old. That’s why he’s particularly sensitive to people with disabilities. His foundation will raise funds and awareness to fight poverty and work with people who have illness or disabilities to assist them in overcoming barriers.

Produced by Studiomusica and Jo Champa and presented by the Grammy Museum Foundation, a fundraising event will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

What’s the connection between Girard-Perregaux, a watchmaking brand, and Bocelli’s charity? It comes from a personal relationship and heeding the call. As Michele Sofisti, CEO of Sowind Group (owners of GP and Jean Richard) says, “We are very proud and excited to join forces with Andrea Bocelli in the launch of his new foundation. His accomplishments as an artist and philanthropist are an inspiration to all of us and we are happy to support him in this new pursuit”.

Bell & Ross x GIGN

Bell & Ross x GIGN : BR 03-92

Paying tribute to the men and women of the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), a special operations unit of the French Armed Forces, the BR 03-92 features the GIGN logo on its dial.

Formed in 1973, the GIGN consisted of highly trained individuals who are equipped with the skills, knowledge and tools to defuse any kind of situation, violent or not. It was formed after the Munich massacre during the Olympic Games in 1972 and a prison mutiny the following year.

With similar attitudes to quality and precision, Bell & Ross designed the BR 03-92 GIGN watch that bears an easy to read dial, 100m water resistance and heavy duty rubber or canvas strap.

The limited edition watch comes only in 200 pieces, and is exclusively available to members of the GIGN. Here's a watch they can depend on.



Bell & Ross BR03-92 - Limited Edition for GIGN (above) and its back case (bottom)

The honourable batch of GIGN