The right approach
Following principles and guidelines found in the Wisconsin Early Autism Project, the Malaysian chapter does its bit for the condition, writes Nadia Badarudin
Currently, 50 per cent of students under the programmes have been able to catch up to an average IQ. Jochebed Isaacs
ESTABLISHED in 2006, the Early Autism Project (EAP) Malaysia provides individualised intervention treatment programmes to support those with autism and their families in leading fulfilling lives. The project originated from the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) founded in 1995 by Dr Glen Sallows and Dr Tamlynn Graupner, who were pursuing progressive approaches to supporting children and families affected by autism.
According to the WEAP website, after learning the pioneering work done by Dr Ivar Lovaas of the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles, Dr Sallows and Dr Graupner took on the challenge of bringing intensive behavioural treatment to the state of Wisconsin. WEAP soon became a National Institute of Mental Health- approved replication site for the research of Dr Lovaas.
The three researchers went on to implement, evaluate and document the long-term effects of early, comprehensive intervention for young children with autism.
Their research proved that with early comprehensive treatment, approximately half the children treated were able to successfully integrate into mainstream educa- tional opportunities with little or no support.
For the past 20 years, WEAP has been providing services for people with autism in the United States, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.
FAMILY DAY
Every programme at EAP Malaysia is customised and supervised by a trained clinician and follows the same principles and guidelines found in WEAP’s research.
EAP Malaysia director Jochebed Isaacs says EAP provides world-class research-based intensive behavioural treatment programmes on a one-on-one basis for children with autism.
“Currently, 50 per cent of students under the programme have been able to catch up to an average IQ and language ability, and are able to be enrolled into mainstream schooling,” she says in a press statement released in conjunction with EAP Malaysia’s Family Day held at Pusat Sains Negara in Kuala Lumpur recently.
The annual affair is a celebration for the special children and meant to honour their families for all their sacrifices and commitment in helping them progress.
The event also saw EAP Malaysia staging its first live musical production, The Greatest Treasure, involving 42 students.
For the musical, the EAP team took months to prepare the children by projecting over 200 visuals, among others, to help them learn dance moves and recite scripts.
For details on EAP Malaysia, visit www. autismmalaysia.com, @eapmalaysia on Instagram and Early Autism Project Malaysia on Facebook.