
Seri Mengasih unveils newly-renovated autism training centre
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 Text Size: Tunku Mariamz launching the newly-renovated Autism Spectrum Disorder Training Centre at Seri Mengasih Centre. Kota Kinabalu: Seri Mengasih Centre marked a new chapter in its journey of service and inclusion with the launching of its newly-renovated Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Training Centre, here, last Monday. It was graced by Paduka Puteri Tunku Mariamz Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, the Agong's younger sister.
Advertisement The ceremony, held at the centre's premises in Tanjung Aru, is a milestone in Seri Mengasih's mission to provide holistic, specialised support for individuals with ASD. The refurbished facility features expanded training programmes, therapeutic interventions and vocational skills development set within a nurturing and purpose-built environment. Tunku Mariamz' presence underscored the significance of the initiative and reaffirmed the royal family's continued commitment to causes that promote inclusivity and uplift vulnerable communities. Her patronage is expected to generate greater public awareness and support for the ASD community in Sabah and beyond. 'We are deeply honoured by Her Royal Highness's presence to officiate this important occasion,' said Datuk Suzannah Liaw, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Seri Mengasih Centre. 'This centre reflects the dedication of our team, the generosity of our donors and the unwavering support from the community. 'With this facility, we aim to reach more individuals on the spectrum and empower them to achieve their fullest potential,' she said. Equipped with specialised classrooms, therapy rooms, sensory integration spaces and vocational training areas, the centre has been meticulously designed to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of individuals with ASD. It will support the centre's growing suite of services, including early intervention, educational assistance, social skills training and preparation for independent living. Established 44 years ago, Seri Mengasih Centre is also the only institution in Malaysia authorised by Kololo Japan to implement the 'Kololo Method'. It is a unique approach to ASD training introduced in 2002 through an exclusive partnership. According to Tulip Noorazyze, Chair of the Committee of Management and Member of the Board of Trustees, the method has proven highly effective in nurturing children as young as three years old and has produced countless success stories over the years. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Express
10 hours ago
- Daily Express
Telupid high potential for livestock: DCM
Published on: Saturday, June 21, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 21, 2025 By: Winnie Kasmir Text Size: Jeffrey (third right) officiates the opening of the new DVS Telupid building, Public Awareness Campaign, and NDV4 Vaccination Programme. TELUPID: The Sabah Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) is ramping up efforts to strengthen the state's livestock industry through initiatives such as the NDV4 Vaccination Programme and the Telupid District Public Awareness Campaign. Officiating the new DVS Telupid building on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister I and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan, highlighted the government's commitment to extending veterinary services to the grassroots level to ensure the sustainability of the livestock sector. 'Telupid has now been identified as a high-potential area for livestock development, with active populations including 280 beef cattle, 35 buffaloes, 3,500 broiler chickens, 2,500 layer chickens, 2,500 ducks, 58 pigs and 120 registered swiftlet houses. 'This forms a critical foundation for rural agri-food development, which must be supported by proper infrastructure, expertise and policy,' he said. Jeffrey noted that Telupid also houses a veterinary farm which serves as a training and livestock development centre to support ruminant farming in the state. On the newly opened DVS Telupid building, he expressed hopes that it will serve as the central hub for delivering technical services, vaccinations, advisory support, enforcement and systematic livestock health monitoring in the district. Advertisement 'I believe Telupid can become a model for sustainable rural livestock community development. The government will not compromise on food security, biosecurity, or animal welfare,' he said. DVS Sabah Director Dr Mary Josephine S. Golingai said the establishment of the office in Telupid is a key step in making veterinary services more accessible to farmers, especially in areas such as disease monitoring, vaccination programmes, animal welfare and disease control. 'It will also serve as a technical support centre for Telupid and surrounding areas in the Sandakan region. 'With DVS now officially present in Telupid, it paves the way for cross-agency collaboration, quicker technical response and more efficient field-level disease management. 'We want small and medium-scale farmers here to receive the same support as those in other regions,' she said. As part of the event, over 1,000 chicks, 1,000 ducklings and 500 quail chicks were distributed to smallholders to help improve rural livelihoods. This initiative is also seen as a strategic investment in post-pandemic economic recovery and in easing the burden of the food inflation crisis. The NDV4 vaccination programme, which covered 41 villages across five sub-districts, was also reported to be effective in delivering direct interventions to rural communities. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
When war becomes background noise: Emotional numbness on the rise, experts say
Every morning, Rasha opens her phone and scrolls through an endless feed of contradictions. A reel of someone dancing barefoot in Bali. A news flash about families displaced in Gaza. An ad for luxury watches. Another explosion. Another crying child. As news became just another piece of content, squeezed between influencer vlogs and product promotions, Rasha noticed something shift. "Through the years, I've noticed my reaction change," she says. "Of course I care, it breaks my heart, but it doesn't shatter me anymore. I just keep scrolling." Like many others who have lived in a digital world saturated with crisis content, where footage of war, displacement, and disaster is available 24/7, Rasha finds herself suspended between compassion and emotional numbness. "Emotional numbness is a coping mechanism," says Daniela Semedo, a clinical psychologist at BPS Clinic. "It happens when people are exposed to distressing images or stories so often that their minds begin to shut down emotionally, not because they don't care, but because they're overwhelmed." According to Semedo, the mind does this to protect itself. When tragedy becomes a daily backdrop, whether through social media, breaking news alerts, or forwarded videos, the emotional system can blunt its own responses as a survival strategy. "We're not meant to process this much trauma at once," she adds. "Repeated exposure to violent imagery can desensitise people, even those who have never lived through war themselves." For those who experienced war firsthand, that desensitisation can be even more complex, part of a wider set of symptoms that includes avoidance, hypervigilance, or disconnection from others. "In survivors of war or forced displacement, emotional numbness can show up as flatness, silence, or even seeming indifference," explains Rahaf Kobeissi, trauma therapist and founder of Rays Your Mental Health. "But this is not apathy, it's a deeply protective response to unprocessed trauma." She notes that digital triggers can reinforce that response. "A video clip, a headline, even a WhatsApp voice note can reactivate past memories. When it happens often enough, the nervous system tries to dull the reaction, which over time leads to emotional shutdown." This pattern of compassion fatigue or numb scrolling doesn't only affect war survivors. Experts say even people with no direct exposure to conflict can experience a sense of helplessness or emotional burnout from constantly consuming violent content. "There's a difference between being informed and being flooded," says Kobeissi. "The latter can leave people feeling emotionally flat, anxious, or disconnected, especially when they don't have the tools to process what they're seeing." In cases where emotional numbness persists, it may also be an early warning sign of deeper trauma, especially for those who have previously lived in conflict zones. "PTSD doesn't always look like flashbacks or panic attacks," says Semedo. "Sometimes it looks like silence. Withdrawal. A loss of interest in things that used to matter. People often think they're 'handling it well' when they've actually shut down emotionally." Healing from this kind of emotional overload, both experts agree, requires intentional support, and a conscious effort to step away from the constant noise. That can include limiting news consumption, building in daily grounding rituals, and, when needed, seeking professional help. "We can't feel everything, all the time," says Kobeissi. "But we can learn to feel safely again, and that's where healing begins." – Khaleej Times (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)/Tribune News Service


Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Focus Malaysia
PERSAMA announces Jigsaw Puzzle Championship for Autism 2025 during Father's Day celebrations
PERTUBUHAN Sayang Malaysia (PERSAMA), in collaboration with Green Yoga, has announced the Jigsaw Puzzle Championship for Autism during a Father's Day celebration. The Jigsaw Puzzle Championship for Autism 2025 aims to create a platform for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to showcase their strengths and capabilities. Jigsaw puzzles offer a range of cognitive benefits for autistic children. Assembling a puzzle needs problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and attention to detail. It also encourages logical thinking and can improve memory, fine motor skills, concentration, planning and social skills. Immediately before the announcement, over 100 participants gathered in Klang to celebrate Father's Day, a significant community event specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum and their fathers or caregivers. The celebration featured sensory-friendly fun activities conducted by the founder of Green Yoga, Naneecharam Muniandy who is a certified yoga instructor. The celebration highlighted the role of fathers and male caregivers in the emotional and developmental journey of children with ASD. Participants shared their experiences, taking great strides to raise awareness, break down stereotypes, and reaffirm the community's commitment to empowering autistic children fully. These events are just some of the many ways PERSAMA provides support, capacity building, and outreach activities to families with individuals with autism nationwide. PERSAMA founder noted that the number of children diagnosed with autism nationally has risen to over 58,000 with Selangor having the highest incidence of cases. 'This is a growing issue and needs close collaboration between the government and its agencies, NGOs, parents/caregivers, and teachers to build a sustainable approach for the future,' she added. 'Behind each child is a family attempting to navigate complex challenges and PERSAMA is here to provide support where needed.' All Malaysian with autism are invited to participate in the Jigsaw Puzzle Championship for Autism 2025 which has over RM 7,000 in cash prizes to be won. Jigsaw puzzles are a valuable therapeutic and educational tool that can be tailored to meet the needs of children with autism, fostering a sense of achievement and joy in the process. Benefits of jigsaw puzzles include: Enhances fine motor skills; Develops problem-solving skills; Boosts concentration and focus; Supports visual-spatial skills; Promotes calmness and relaxation; Builds perseverance and patience; and Develops cognitive skills. When: Day : Saturday & Sunday : Saturday & Sunday Date : November 8 & 9, 2025 : November 8 & 9, 2025 Venue: KL/Klang Valley (TBA) Entry fee: 50% discount for PERSAMA members RM 100 for non members Entry requirements: Ages ranging from 4 years and above OKU card or doctor's diagnosis report is compulsory Categories: Age 4-6 Age 7-9 Age 10–12 Age 13-15 Age 16-18 Age 19 and above Register at: Registration closes at midnight on October 15, 2025. For more details, WhatsApp 017-721 1859. ‒ June 20, 2025