Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources, Brunei Darussalam
(SMARTER BRUNEI)
SMARTER Brunei (Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources, Brunei Darussalam) SMARTER Brunei was established on 9th September 2001 as a non-government and non-profit organisation run by parents and family members for Individuals with Autism (IWA). It was registered officially under Subsection (3) Chapter 6 from the Organisation Act (Term 66) on 29 Rabiul awal 1423 (11 June 2002).
Members of SMARTER Brunei are IWAs who are diagnosed and referred by the Child Development Center, Ministry of Health, Negara Brunei Darussalam. As of 2019, there were 102 members registered at three centres :
- Early Development Growth and Enabling (EDGE) Centre, Perpindahan Mata, for IWAs aged 12 Years and below from the Brunei-Muara & Tutong Districts
- EDGE Centre, Kuala Belait, for IWAs aged 12 Years and below from the Kuala Belait District.
- Brunei Autism Centre for Adults (BACA) Kg. Sungai Hanching, for IWAs aged 13 and above from the Brunei-Muara,Tutong and Belait Districts
SMARTER has developed a comprehensive Social, Training, Educational and Psychological (STEP) programme by drawing on the best aspects of available 25 programmes to ensure that SMARTER’s programmes are based on the most current and relevant developmental, behavioural, educational, social and communication theory/research. Programmes are eclectic, multi-sensorial, holistic and customised to individual needs, interests, and real life environments, and based on the Brunei extended family structure.
CAMBODIA AUTISM NETWORK (CAN)
The first special day care programme providing education to children on the autism spectrum was established by the Hands of Hope Community (HHC) in 2012. HOHC was founded by Mr. Chan Sarin who is Executive Director, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veteran and Youth Rehabilitation, the Disability Action Council and other NGOs. From 2016 we have received support from the Prime Minister and the First Lady.
Cambodia Autism Network (CAN) is an Alliance which brings together representatives of NGOs and parents of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), working together to support and advocate for persons with ASD to exercise their legal rights and responsibilities.
CAN was established on 2nd April 2015, at the first National Workshop which was presided over by H.E. Vong Sot the Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation of the Kingdom of Cambodia and supported by APCD and NGO networks. 28 CAN aims to support persons with ASD to live confidently and equally and fully benefit from the legal, social, educational and health care services in a manner that is safe and appropriate for persons with ASD. CAN represents persons with ASD, protects their legal rights, facilitates their participation, living and working activities.
YAYASAN AUTISMA INDONESIA (YAI)
The establishment of Yayasan Autisma Indonesia (YAI) was inspired by a discussion between Dr. Melly Budhiman, and Mr. Bernard Rimland (initiator of the biomedical approach in treating autism spectrum disorder). This discussion took place at a time when the number of cases of autism spectrum disorder started to increase in Indonesia, and information regarding diagnosis and treatment was still difficult to obtain. Therapy centres and inclusive education were also very limited. Finally, in 1997 YAI was founded in Jakarta by five doctors and eight parents of individuals with autism. While it started with 30 members, at present YAI has more than 1000 members, consisting of parents, doctors, psychologists, teachers, therapists, and university students.
In reference to the mission of raising public awareness by disseminating valid information about autism, assisting the government in addressing autism related issues, and advocating the rights of individuals with autism to proper treatment and education, YAI is active in carrying out various activities as organisers and as part of the support system. Some of the activities that have been successfully carried out regularly by YAI are initiating autism awareness events, such as Walk for Autism (2010 to 2018) and Light It Up Blue for Indonesia (2015 to 2019), and increasing the competencies of parents, professionals and caregivers through seminars and workshops. A breakthrough in raising awareness of autism issues 31 within the government was made when YAI received a commitment of support from the association of cabinet ministers’ wives during the era of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2009-2014).
ASSOCIATION for AUTISM (AfA)
Association for Autism is a registered non-profit association funded by parents of children with autism in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. A self-help group existed since 2005 whereas the association was officially registered on 15.03.2012.
The Association for Autism (AfA) represents the interests of persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Lao PDR by promoting their rights, improving their access to appropriate services, and providing them and their families with education, therapy, and training to better equip them to live full and productive lives.
On 24. September 2011 the General Assembly adopted the Charta of AfA and approved the regulations of the scholarship fund.
During their annual assembly the members of AfA adopted the Strategy and Action Plan for the time 2012-2020.
In December 2014 the second executive board now consisting of 5 members and a control board of 3 members have been elected. President of AfA is Mrs. Phokham Douangdala. Mrs. Thongkham Vongsay became Vice-President and Director of Vientiane Autism Center.
NATIONAL AUTISM SOCIETY OF MALAYSIA (NASOM)
The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) is a society formed in 1986 by a group of parents and professionals with the aim to deliver lifespan services to the community of persons suffering from autism.
It was registered on 3rd March 1987 as a national charitable organisation and it strives to provide a range of support services to assist people living with autism, especially children and their immediate family members.
MYANMAR AUTISM ASSOCIATION (MAA)
Myanmar Autism Association (MAA) was founded in June 2011 by parents of children with ASD. The State officially recognised MAA in 2014. The Association was founded to serve the next generation of individuals with ASD and their parents. It provides advocacy to the general public, the institutions and the State. It also serves as a collective voice for all persons related to autism. MAA is a charitable, apolitical association and serves as a think tank. The Association is the one and only organisation representing ASD in Myanmar.
AUTISM SOCIETY PHILIPPINES (ASP)
The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) is a national, non-profit organization working towards an environment that empowers persons on the autism spectrum disorder to become the best of their potentials — self-reliant, independent, productive and socially-accepted members of an Autism-OK Philippines. ASP labors to establish institutional mechanisms to support persons on the autism spectrum and their families. Established in 1989, the organization — composed of 13,000 members spread over 100 chapters — has been in the forefront of providing services to families and individuals affected with autism. In 2013, ASP was a recipient of the coveted Gawad Apolinario Mabini — an award conferred to institutions and individuals with noteworthy contributions to the disability community. ASP served as the Chair of the ASEAN Autism Network from 2016-2017.
AUTISM NETWORK SINGAPORE (ANS)
Autism Network Singapore (ANS) is an alliance of like-minded partners who are passionate about the autism cause.
We care for the autism community, and collaborate every year to advocate for autism; raising public awareness and rallying for more support of the cause.
We were formed in April 2015, and are now an alliance of five Social Service Agencies (SSA) partners. We welcome participation and collaboration from other SSAs, government and related stakeholders, as well as corporate organisations.
As Singapore aspires to be more inclusive, there is a greater need for key service providers to collaborate and ensure better life outcomes for those with additional needs. ANS is our way of adopting a more strategic approach to proactively identify and address sector-wide issues and gaps, including: Early intervention, Lifelong education, Employment, Residential, caregiving and independent living skills.
ANS aspires to be a unified and significant voice to help raise the standard of support and services for the ASD community in Singapore.
ASSOCIATION OF PARENTS FOR THAI PERSONS WITH AUTISM (AU-THAI)
The Association of Parents for Thai Persons with Autism (Autism Thai) was formed in 1995 by less than 10 families whose children were faced with similar problems of unknown cause. Monthly get-togethers, eventually developed into more frequent meetings. Presently, only 3 founding members still remain (the President and Vice Presidents). They are first-tier leaders of Autism Thai and Autistic Thai Foundation which have about 60 network club leaders and approximately 13,000 members throughout Thailand now.
VIETNAM AUTISM NETWORK (VAN)
In August 2013, with the support from the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), Vietnam Autism Network (VAN) was established under the recognition of the Ministry of Labour Invalids and Social Affairs Vietnam (MOLISA) and Vietnam Federation on Disability (VFD). VAN is an organisation of people with autism, their families and professionals who are now working in the field to support the autism community in Vietnam. We are a non-profit organisation operating on the basis of mutual values: voluntary and respectful.