Latest news with #ASD
Focus Malaysia
9 hours ago
- Health
- 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
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Fresh Meat and Death In Paradise star reveals life changing diagnosis at 39 saying she's in tears and ‘still processing'
A FRESH Meat and Death in Paradise star has revealed her life changing health diagnosis at 39, saying she's in tears and 'still processing.' Kimberley Nixon famously 4 A Fresh Meat and Death in Paradise star has revealed her life changing health diagnosis at 39, saying she's in tears and 'still processing" Credit: Instagram/Realkimberleynixon 4 Kimberley starred in Fresh Meat, Wild Child and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, as well as many more shows Credit: Getty - Contributor Before Fresh Meat, Kimberley had been in films Wild Child and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Since the show she's appeared in Ordinary Lies, Death in Paradise and ITV drama The Salisbury Poisonings. Now, the 39-year-old actress has revealed she has been clinically diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. Read More on Fresh Meat Sharing a collage of photos of herself crying 'happy tears,' in a grey jumper, the star shared her update with fans. Kimberley wrote: 'Happy tears. Still processing. Haven't read the full report yet but… 'Today I was clinically diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. 'I feel lighter than I have in a long time because instead of feeling like my brain is 'broken', I know now that it was just doing things differently all this time.' Most read in News TV She continued: 'I want to go back in time and give my younger self a cwtch and save her a lot of time and heartache but I can't change anything about how I got here really because then I wouldn't be me. 'I've always shared the ups and downs - so I wanted to share this with the most compassionate and accepting bunch I know - and that's been you lot over these past few years. Jack Whitehall reunites with Fresh Meat co-stars 12yrs after joining Channel 4 sitcom 'From the midst of brutal Postnatal OCD through to today's diagnosis, a lot of you have been with me every step of the way. Thank you, thank you.' Fans rushed to the comments to praise the star for her honest words, as one person wrote: 'Congratulations on the first day of the rest of your life.' A second penned: 'We hope it brings you some self-compassion and understanding,' and a third echoed: 'Welcomeeeeee 💛 Go gently with yourself as you adjust to a new inner reality! Xx' What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an incurable, lifelong developmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. It affects around one in 100 people in the UK and is three to four times more common in boys than in girls. Many people with ASD find it hard to understand other people's feelings and emotions, and they may have difficulty holding conversations. When they are young, their language development may take longer and they can struggle to use facial expressions, using gestures to communicate instead. They may also find it hard to connect with other people and to hold eye contact with unfamiliar individuals. Many children with ASD like to follow a routine, and changes to this can cause distress. High functioning autism is an informal term some people use to describe those on the autism spectrum disorder. The star is a proud mum to a little boy, and also has a dog, both of which she shares occasional photos of on social media. In a sweet Father's Day post recently, Kimberley praised her partner and posted a carousel of images of him with their adorable son. She wrote: 'To the Dads who not only have a newborn but a struggling partner to care for. 'To the Dads that show up ALL the time even if they're knackered or grumpy or even more knackered. To the Dads who care so deeply but show so little. 'To the Dads that really mean it when it's 50/50. Or 60/40 or 70/30 depending what's going on in life. 'To the Dads who hug and kiss their children and leave them in no doubt how loved they are. To the Dads who always stand up for their partner. 'To this Dad, who never looked away even when things got tough. Who always saw straight through to the heart of me when I lost myself and even I couldn't see it. Who loves me and our son unconditionally but that doesn't mean he'll let us get away with stuff. 'Sometimes Dads get left out of the perinatal mental illness conversation. I've found in a lot of instances, they're the silent, sidelined heroes keeping everything together. Remember that there's help and support for Dads too.' 4 The actress with the Fresh Meat cast Credit: Handout 4 Kimberley has a little boy and a dog Credit: Instagram/@realkimberleynixon
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Why Restaurant Owner Kicked Out Mom and Her Autistic Son Backed: 'Rude'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A restaurant owner has found support online after detailing the reasons she ejected a woman and her autistic son from the establishment. The CDC says that an estimated 1 in every 31 children in the U.S. live with a type of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with boys nearly four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. Parenting an autistic child brings with it several unique challenges, not least when it comes to activities other families might take for granted, such as eating out. However, Gina, a 55-year-old restaurateur based in New York, found her patience tested to breaking point by the actions of a child eating at her family-owned pizzeria with his mom. In a post shared to Reddit under the handle u/Mammoth_Mission_818, Gina, 51, detailed the situation that played out a few weeks ago when she noticed a 9-year-old boy "watching cartoons on his tablet at full volume" at a table with his mom. "One of the rules we have in our restaurant is that nobody is allowed to talk on speaker phone, play music out loud or have anything playing on speaker from a personal device," Gina said. When she approached the mom to request he turn off the volume as it was "disruptive to other customers." she responded "rudely" that her son had both ADHD and autism so needed to watch something to avoid kicking up a fuss while they waited. The mom also snapped at Gina when she suggested he wear headphones, claiming that he "does not like to use them." Some 10 minutes later, matters escalated further when Gina, in the kitchen at the time, started hearing "loud banging noises" coming from the dining room. "I came out to find the child furiously banging his fists on the table while the mom just sat there ignoring it," Gina wrote. When Gina asked the mom to address his behavior, she again said he was "on the spectrum" and that this was "normal behavior" if he isn't able to watch something. Then things got worse. "The boy then stood up and started running around my restaurant, punching and kicking the other tables and chairs, and knocking things over," Gina said. At this point, another customer intervened, telling the mom: "control your kid or I will." That sparked another argument, with the mom telling the fellow customer that "autistic children deserve to occupy the same spaces as everyone else." Though Gina agreed with this sentiment, she warned the woman to get her son's behavior "under control" or leave. The mom reacted with fury, telling Gina it was "illegal to discriminate." Gina's husband then came out with a to-go box and ordered the visibly "shocked" woman to pack up her meal and go. The experience has left Gina conflicted. "I love kids, my husband and I raised five of them, even one with special needs. But, autism or not, nothing gives you the right to behave this way in any setting," she said. "I'm tired of rude kids and lazy parents who embolden them to behave this way … This is not about ADHD, autism, or any other condition. This is about entitlement." What the Expert Said Amber Young, a licensed psychotherapist and the founder of Cope & Calm Counseling, told Newsweek she has some sympathy for the mother and her child. "Dining out with a neurodivergent child can be incredibly challenging—not because of the child, but because many public spaces, including restaurants, just aren't built with neurodivergent needs in mind," Young said. "These environments are often full of sensory and social challenges. Bright lights, unpredictable noises, unfamiliar smells, and the pressure to 'behave' in a certain way can quickly overwhelm a child whose brain processes the world differently. "They might cope through stimming, vocalizing, or needing to move around. These are all valid responses from a nervous system that's trying to regulate, but, unfortunately, they're often misunderstood as disruptive or 'bad behavior.'" However, Young acknowledged the son's actions left his mom in a "tight spot" in that she was trying to meet her child's needs while respecting the space they were in. In that situation, she recommended parents seek to give their child a break somewhere away from the restaurant, like just outside the door, to give them a chance to reregulate. Parents of autistic children can prepare better by using pre-taught calming tools, practicing with short visits to cafés and timing trips to coincide with a restaurant's quieter hours. Calling ahead to better prepare staff is also encouraged by Young. What Reddit Said Many of those commenting on Reddit had a different view, siding firmly with Gina. "I have an autistic son. When he was younger (he was AWFUL in restaurants. So guess what we did? We didn't go out to eat," one user wrote. "Guess what? He is a well behaved 24 year old who wasn't traumatized because he didn't get to go out to eat for a few years." Another took it further. "My kids weren't even autistic. I still couldn't take them to restaurants until they were at least 10 years old. I just wouldn't go," he said. "One time my wife wanted to treat me to a birthday dinner at a restaurant, and my 7 year old cried and whined the whole time. Worst birthday present ever." A third commented: "Autistic person here. You did good. There's a world of difference between asking for some understanding or patience and asking for the world to bend around your needs or wants. "Treating an autistic person like they're a time bomb that can't be disturbed in the slightest is how you get mildly autistic people my age freaking out on everyone because they never learned other outlets." Newsweek reached out to u/Mammoth_Mission_818 but were unable to verify the details of the case.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
I've pulled my little boy out of school over mean teachers – they say he assaults kids & lies but I know he's a good boy
The mum accused the school of 'breaking down his mental health' SCHOOL'S OUT I've pulled my little boy out of school over mean teachers – they say he assaults kids & lies but I know he's a good boy Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ANGRY mum has yanked her son out of school after claiming her was being targeted by mean teachers. Vicky Alderwick's son Grayson attends St Theresa's Catholic Primary School in Leeds. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A mum removed her son from St Theresa's Catholic Primary School in Leeds Credit: Google Grayson has special education needs (SEN) and remains on the waiting list for an ADHD and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) assessment. Vicky says she felt compelled to take him out of class for a week after several alleged incidents in which she says teachers shouted at Grayson in what she claimed was a "one-sided and unfair" manner. The West Yorkshire mum claims the stress of the situation has been so overwhelming that she has suffered seizures. Even more shockingly, she said her son had told her he would rather take his own life than return to school. "It is a fight to get Grayson into school as he doesn't want to go in because of what has happened. 'He gets really upset and has told me a few times that he would rather kill himself, which is awful to hear," she told Leeds Live. The concern parent claims that teachers regularly call Grayson a liar and was made to stand with his nose to the brick wall after one outburst. His mother claims her son was also denied a slice of pizza which the rest of the class had as a treat as punishment for an incident two days prior. She said that Grayson was told "your mum will be ok with it" and admits she "went ballistic" when she found out. Grayson also refused to eat his own food that day, meaning he went the entire day without food - something Vicky says has happened on three previous occasions also without the school informing her. Married deputy head had sex with teen girl in cupboard at top school However, St Thereasa's Catholic Primary School says it "strongly refutes" the allegations made by Vicky and says that all complaints will be dealt with by the proper processes. Vicky said that Grayson formerly enjoyed school and was respected there, but things began to change around a year ago. She alleges that teachers no longer provide all the support he needs for his special educational needs or neurodivergence and instead have branded him a "bad kid". Vicky also claims that the school have no plan in place to help deeesculate Grayson's behaviour and accused them of "breaking down his mental health." She says if Grayson shouts at someone or places his hand on their shoulder, the school regard it as 'assault' and shut him down. The mother also claims teachers regularly tell her son to "stop lying" and make him the scapegoat in classroom situations. Vicky branded the school's behaviour "unprofessional" and claims his medical history shows conclusively that Grayson's behaviour is rooted in his diagnoses and not him being a "bad boy". "He is just a misunderstood little boy. They do a lot of things that are humiliating to him, and he gets so embarrassed," she said. "I want to keep my son in school but I want him to feel safe. I know when he is lying and he is telling me the truth, so I believe him.' Jane Ryan, headteacher St Theresa's Catholic Primary School, said: "We pride ourselves on being a caring and inclusive school and take any complaint very seriously. "Whilst the school strongly refutes these specific allegations, all complaints received by the school are managed through the school's published complaints policy and procedures. "Whilst any complaints and allegations are being managed through the correct due process, it would be inappropriate for the school to provide a response or further comment." If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
I've pulled my little boy out of school over mean teachers – they say he assaults kids & lies but I know he's a good boy
AN ANGRY mum has yanked her son out of school after claiming her was being targeted by mean teachers. Vicky Alderwick's son Grayson attends St Theresa's Catholic Primary School in Leeds. Grayson has special education needs (SEN) and remains on the waiting list for an ADHD and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) assessment. Vicky says she felt compelled to take him out of class for a week after several alleged incidents in which she says teachers shouted at Grayson in what she claimed was a "one-sided and unfair" manner. The West Yorkshire mum claims the stress of the situation has been so overwhelming that she has suffered seizures. Even more shockingly, she said her son had told her he would rather take his own life than return to school. "It is a fight to get Grayson into school as he doesn't want to go in because of what has happened. 'He gets really upset and has told me a few times that he would rather kill himself, which is awful to hear," she told Leeds Live. The concern parent claims that teachers regularly call Grayson a liar and was made to stand with his nose to the brick wall after one outburst. His mother claims her son was also denied a slice of pizza which the rest of the class had as a treat as punishment for an incident two days prior. She said that Grayson was told "your mum will be ok with it" and admits she "went ballistic" when she found out. Grayson also refused to eat his own food that day, meaning he went the entire day without food - something Vicky says has happened on three previous occasions also without the school informing her. Married deputy head had sex with teen girl in cupboard at top school However, St Thereasa's Catholic Primary School says it "strongly refutes" the allegations made by Vicky and says that all complaints will be dealt with by the proper processes. Vicky said that Grayson formerly enjoyed school and was respected there, but things began to change around a year ago. She alleges that teachers no longer provide all the support he needs for his special educational needs or neurodivergence and instead have branded him a "bad kid". Vicky also claims that the school have no plan in place to help deeesculate Grayson's behaviour and accused them of "breaking down his mental health." She says if Grayson shouts at someone or places his hand on their shoulder, the school regard it as 'assault' and shut him down. The mother also claims teachers regularly tell her son to "stop lying" and make him the scapegoat in classroom situations. Vicky branded the school's behaviour "unprofessional" and claims his medical history shows conclusively that Grayson's behaviour is rooted in his diagnoses and not him being a "bad boy". "He is just a misunderstood little boy. They do a lot of things that are humiliating to him, and he gets so embarrassed," she said. "I want to keep my son in school but I want him to feel safe. I know when he is lying and he is telling me the truth, so I believe him.' Jane Ryan, headteacher St Theresa's Catholic Primary School, said: "We pride ourselves on being a caring and inclusive school and take any complaint very seriously. "Whilst the school strongly refutes these specific allegations, all complaints received by the school are managed through the school's published complaints policy and procedures. "Whilst any complaints and allegations are being managed through the correct due process, it would be inappropriate for the school to provide a response or further comment." If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
