ART’UISM programme helps kids with autism improve psychomotor, cognitive skills
KUCHING: Several children with autism took part in art activities to help improve their psychomotor and cognitive skills, during the ‘ART’UISM: Intuition-Artistic-Autism’ programme last weekend.
The programme at La Promenade Mall in Kota Samarahan was part of the ‘Nadi Reimagine’ show under the 18th ReQaSeni art exhibition series by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak’s College of Creative Arts Studies.
The programme had created an inclusive environment for children with autism to explore art as self-expression, and also highlighted the benefits of art therapy and community support for these children, according to a release.
“The programme aimed to provide exposure to children with autism through art activities and help improve their psychomotor and cognitive skills, apart from raising awareness on art therapy approaches for autism.
“Most of the children were happy and fully engaged in completing the art tasks given to them,” said a statement from the organiser.
The programme was in collaboration with the Kuching Autism Association (KAA), with the support from the parents.
Project head Muhamad Hafiz Hassan said the programme gave public awareness of these children being ‘very talented and creative’.
The UiTM Sarawak creative arts lecturer also conducted a talk on ‘Adaptive Minds: Choosing Tools for Autism Learning Journey’’ for caregivers and parents, where he spoke about the selection criteria for teaching tools and materials for autistic children.
“The programme had an immense impact and received great response and support from the community. Feedback was very positive, and continuation of such inclusive programme was requested,” said the organiser.