INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCHOOL

MBBS Program

YEAR 4 OCTOBER 2017

COMMUNITY MEDICINE (ROTATION III)

SUBGROUP 3

Visit Report to National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM)

PLACE: NASOM AUTISM ONE STOP CENTER, SETIA ALAM, SHAH ALAM

DATE OF VISIT: 28th of February 2018

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INTRODUCTION

The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) is a society formed in 1986 by a group
of parents and professionals with the aim to delivering lifespan services to the community of
persons suffering from autism. It is the largest provider of specialist service for children with
autism and their families.

It was registered on 3rd March 1987 as Non-Governmental Association (NGO). It started a

centre in Titiwangsa in 1988 and strives to provide a range of support services to assist
people living with autism, especially children and their immediate family members. Currently
there are 19 centres of NASOM throughout Malaysia with 16 Early Intervention Programmes
and 3 Vocational Programmes.

NASOM Centres in Malaysia :

REGION CENTRES
NASOM One-Stop Centre – Setia Alam
NASOM Gombak
NASOM Taman Supreme
NASOM Jalan Ipoh
Central Region NASOM Teluk Pulai
NASOM Seremban
NASOM OUG
NASOM Bandar Puteri
NASOM Titiwangsa
NASOM Penang – Bayan lepas
NASOM Ipoh
Northern Region
NASOM Alor Star
NASOM Butterworth Penang
NASOM Melaka
Southern region NASOM Muar
NASOM Segamat
NASOM Kerteh
East Cost region NASOM Kuantan
NASOM Kota Bharu
Sarawak NASOM Miri
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VISION

To become an efficient and effective organization that provides services, strength and
sanctuary for people with autism.

MISSION

To advocate for the rights people with autism and in doing so provide opportunities for them
to learn and lead a productive and fulfilling life.

SETIA ALAM CENTRE OBJECTIVES

 To promote early screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism and to provide

effective services and support.
 To provide therapy to manage deficits as well as assist family members on learning to
cope with an autistic member.
 To familiarize the community with the skills needed as well as the understanding
necessary for the care and management of people with autism,

ORGANIZATION CHART

NASOM, a non-governmental organization, has thirteen Board Members. Day to day

administration and operations are headed by the Chief Executive and supported by a staff
force of more than 150 staff members inclusive of teachers.

President
Dato Megat Ahmad Shahrani bin Megat Shahrudin

Chairman
Feilina S.Y Muhammad Feisol

Vice Chairman
Dato Chuah Chong Wah

Hon Secretary
Ir Mat Jusoh bin Mamat

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 Assistant Secretary
Anne Subashini Sivanathan

Treasurer
Hasree Khaw Hock Swee Abdullah

Board Members
Sahadi Md Aziz
Raja a/l Chinaya@Sinniah
Dato Azaran bin Abd Kadir
Dr Haslinda binti Musa
Dr Azlina binti Masdar
Norhasianita binti Abu Hassan
Marsyitah Mustaffa

SERVICES
They provide a range of flexible and innovative support services for children. NASOM
recognizes that each individual is unique and hence, the centre has created personalized
support plans to reach a meaningful outcome. NASOM- Setia Alam Centre offers the
following services:
1. Screening & Diagnosis
2. Assessment & Evaluation
3. Therapy Programmes
 Behavioural
 Occupational
 Sensory
 Speech
4. Consultation
5. Home Based Programme
6. Social Skill Groups
7. Early Intervention Program
8. Intensive Intervention Programme
9. Creative Arts Therapy Programme
 Parent & Child Programme
 Art Programme
 Creative Art & Play Programme
 Drama Programme

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 10. Transition Program
11. Mainstream Program
12. Pre-vocational/Vocational program
13. Skills Development Program

DETAILS OF THE SERVICES

Autism Screening and Diagnosis

NASOM Setia Alam provides assessment and diagnosis for autism in children and
adolescents and adults. The screening instruments/Procedure used are subject to the client’s
needs :
 Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS2)
 Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS-2)
 Gilliam Austism Rating Scale (GARS -3)
 Short Sensory Profile 2
 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)
 Clinical Observation

Intensive Intervention Programme

This programme is a highly individualized intervention programme based on ABA whereby
the child will undergo one to one instruction and intervention. NASOM are using STAR
programme (Strategies for Teaching Based on research for students with autism over the last
30 years).

Parent and Child programme

This programme aims to create a fun and imaginative environment where children can learn
alongside their parents and at the same time develop long-term learning skills. It also aims to
build social, emotional and cognitive skills as well as to introduce basic rules of interaction,
sitting, standing, taking turns, sharing in preparation for group

The programme also allow the kids and parents to develop imaginative play through drama,
art, stories, puppets and music and able to develop confidence and sense of self.

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Art programme

In NASOM Setia Alam, There is also the art therapy program opens up a world of
opportunity to individuals with autism. It allows them to develop through exploration with
art-making activities. Basically this programme helps to develop co-ordination and fine motor
skills that underpins ability to write as well as able to improve abstract learning with ability to
imagine and think symbolically. The autism children also will be taught to understand
symbols and language and encourage skills for non-verbal and verbal expression as well as
helps to develop self-control and regulation.

Drama Programme

The drama therapy activities are driven with the approach of active and experiential learning.
Activities are aimed to enhance physical awareness and sense of self, feelings, and relations
to others. Aims:  Helps to communicate ideas effectively, verbally and physically 
Develops simple problem solving activities  Build imagination and creativity  Develops
understanding and respect for others from social awareness perspective  Learn to identify
the feelings, ideas, and attitude of others

ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Wednesday, 27th December 2017

TIME ACTIVITY
7.45 AM : Students gathered at the MSU bus stand
8.00 AM : Departed to Autism One Stop Centre in Setia Alam, Klang
8.30 AM : Arrived at Autism One Stop Centre in Setia Alam, Klang
9.00 AM : Presentation: Introduction about NASOM
9.45 AM : Tour around the building and introduction to their facilities
11.00 AM : Photograph session
11.30 AM : Return journey to MSU

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Details of activities

On the 28th February of 2018 (4th week of the posting), the students from subgroup 3
of the 4th Year October 2017 batch had an opportunity to visit one of the facilities ran by
NASOM in Malaysia. on the 4th week of the Community Medicine posting. A total of 24
students, accompanied by Dr. Hasanain Faisal Ghazi participated in the visit to NASOM
Autism One Stop Center in Setia Alam, Selangor. The purpose of the visit was to provide
exposure to the students about NASOM, the services provided and the role of NASOM in the
management of autism in Malaysia.
Upon arrival, the students were greeted by Miss Geetha Radhakrishnan, the
psychologist in charge of the center. After a short briefing we were then invited to the Dance
Room for a presentation introducing NASOM. It was presented by Miss Geetha herself.
According to her, NASOM is a non-profit, non-govermental charitable organization. Initially,
it was a society formed in 1986 by a group of parents and professionals. However, a year
later, in March 1987, NASOM was registered as a national charitable organization. The goal
of NASOM is to give lifespan services to the people with autism and their family members.
These services include providing education, support, care and protection for them.

She then introduced the students to the NASOM autism one stop center. Prior to 2013
the NASOM autism one stop center was located in Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur before
relocating to its current location in Setia Alam, Selangor. She added that the one stop center
is different from other NASOM centers throughout the country in which it is a dedicated
autism evaluation facility that provides screening, evaluation and diagnosis of autism
spectrum disorder in children. In addition to that, this center also provide services such as
therapy programs, consultations and intensive therapy programmes, among many other
services. She later proceeded with explaining the services and activities offered briefly.

After the presentation the students were brought on a tour of the premise. The facility
is a unit with 4 floors. It is an air-conditioned facility with elevators. Children’s drawings and
photos fill the walls, providing a comforting and safe atmosphere for the visitors. Students
were also given brief information about each room and the activities conducted in them. The
visit was concluded with a photography session.

Details of the rooms visited

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 Consultation room
— This is a room in which parents usually first come into when they have
suspicion about a child. In this room consultations are done to take
psychological and social history of the child, like how is he/she doing at home,
how is his/her interaction with others and so on. Furthermore, this room serve
as a place where screening and evaluations are done to diagnose a child with
autism spectrum disorder.
— This room also used to provide counselling to parents or caregivers regarding
any worries that they might have pertaining to their child and how to deal with
a child with autism.

 Drama Room, Art Room, Music Room and Dance Room

— Since people with autism may have trouble relating to others and difficulties in
social interactions, these rooms serve as a method to provide and encourage
interaction and teamwork among the patients
— Among activities that are conducted here as part of the therapy are dancing,
role playing, choir and drawing.
— Art programmes can give an opportunity to people with autism to explore and
develop coordination and motor skills. This eventually may serve as a stepping
stone for them to develop the ability to write. It also can provide them with a
way to develop self control.
— Drama therapy encourages their active participation in group activities and this
eventually will enhance their sense of self and relation to others. It provides a
platform in which the children learn on how to communicate their ideas
effectively and how to solve simple problems.

 Sensory gym
— This is a play room focused for children with autism. It is an indoor
playground with various equipment in a sensory-safe setting. This room
enable the children to have fun while at the same time develop sensory
integration at their own pace.

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 Library
— There are books provided for the use of the parents and their child. Other than
providing reading materials regarding autism to the parents, the library is also
used for speech and language therapy sessions.

 Quiet Room
— This room is lined with cushion for acoustic dampening and safety and has
only pillows in it to offer minimalism, since many child with autism may have
difficulties from sensory overload. There is also light dimmers to adjust the
brightness of the room according to the child’s individual need. It is not a
place for isolation or punishment but it is designed to provide a safe and
soothing space for the child to relax and regain peace.

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APPENDICES

Before departure

Upon arrival

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Before the talk

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Briefing by Psychologist Ms Geetha Radhakrishnanin the Dancing Room

During the talk

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 Interaction with the speaker

A tour around the facility, this is level 3 for recreational activity

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 Quiet room

Cooking items for role playing

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Drama room

Sensory gym

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Art Craft made by the kids

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 Height meter

With one of the parent in NASOM library

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 Group picture at the end of visit with Group photo with Dr. Hasanain Faisal Ghazi and
psychologiest Ms Geetha Radhakrishnan

REFERENCE

1. www.nasom.org.my

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