REACHING OUT TO THE AUTISTIC CHILDREN

Behind every beautiful angelic face of a child, some are born autistic for causes unknown. Autism is a profound life-long mental disability in which children are so withdrawn that they have difficulty in developing normal social and emotional relationships with the people around them and in understanding the world which they live in. The signs or symptoms of autism generally appear during early childhood. Autistic children, if unattended, can become so withdrawn that they have difficulty in developing normal social and emotional relationships with the people around them, and in comprehending and being fully aware of their environment as a result of their mental deficiencies. Normal development of communication is inhibited and speech is delayed or developed abnormally. As a result of this failure to cope with people and situations, the child is slow in play and social interaction. When the development of social skills is retarded, the autistic child appears to be odd in the areas of self-growth, family orientation and interaction in society.

An autistic child tends to resist change and is often upset when something new is introduced to him or her. Therefore, ritualistic use of objects, odd and repetitive behaviour, and obsession with objects are usual. More often than not, the child is hyperactive and does not know when to stop. Prolonged temper tantrums and screaming fits are very common.

Differences Between An Autistic Child And A Normal Child:

Thanks to the Lions Community service project, dedicated volunteers, public support and Lions family throughout Malaysia that The Association of Resource and Education for Autistic Children (REACh) was able to provide FREE SERVICES to the autistic children and their families since 1987 in Penang. From a small group of four children, the Centre is now offering FREE SERVICES to more than 55 children, ranging from 5 years old to 23 years old. Another Centre in Butterworth was opened in 1998 to meet the increasing needs of the northern region in Malaysia. This has enabled the Centre to help more children to achieve their developmental milestones.

With the commitment and dream to expand their services to more autistic children in the country, the Centre is requesting for donations in cash or kinds. You can sponsor a teacher program, or towards their building funds to relocate to a bigger premise to cater to their growing numbers and needs; or you could even donate educational materials and toys, musical instruments, stationeries, computers, and audio-visual materials for their daily usage. You can also contribute a sum of RM2000 (US$530) and above to support the work at the Centre annually, either by making a specific commitment to give contribution for a teacher’s salary or support the cost of maintaining and providing the services at the Centre.

For more information on how you can offer your services or donation in cash or kinds, please contact the following centre:

Association of Resource and Education for Autistic Children (REACh)
184 Jalan Bunga Cempaka,
Off Jalan Yeap Chor Ee,
11700 Bukit Gelugor, Penang,
West Malaysia.
Tel: 604-657 4357
Fax: 604-657 8315
Email: lrcac@pd.jaring.my
Website: www.lionsreach.net

HOW TO HAVE HEALTHY CHILDREN?

If you do not stop your children from consuming lard filled diet during earlier years, you might have some problems in controlling them during their teenage years. There are so many fast food centers all over the country. Children will not be aware of its threat to his health if parents were not given the public awareness on the danger of unbalanced diet. Obesity may come in, bringing in other threats such as heart diseases, diabetes, strokes and so on to the child when he grows older. It is not that you totally banned your children from consuming fast food, but too much of anything can ruin his health. How healthy should your children be?

BE THE ROLE MODEL: Practice what you preach by setting a positive role model. Eat healthily and your children will be convinced to follow suit.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Set a date and time weekly and get the whole family out for some outings such as jogging, swimming, riding or simply play some garden games. At least everyone get involved in exercising themselves.

REWARDS: Do not frequently reward your child with snacks and candies for good behavior or achievement. Think of another healthier way such as purchasing a book or a toy from a nearby mall.

DIETS: Make eating vegetables and fruits as a must in your daily diet. You can allocate once or twice weekly as dessert day where you can take not-too-sweet ice creams and jellies. Too much sugar in a diet is a bad idea.

MEALS: Setting a specific time for the whole family to dine together is a great way to avoid unnecessary consumption of junk food between meals. Moreover, it is a bonus to have some quality time together.

TV AND COMPUTER GAMES: These should be limited as you not want them to end up with excessive snacking lifestyle. Encourage them to something they like, such as reading, writing, drawing, or doing quizzes. This will further help them in their future education.

FOOD INFORMATION: Try labeling the sugar and cholesterol levels on all the food in the kitchen in a chart form and paste it on the door of your refrigerator. Everyone will learn what is good for their health and be more conscious of what they eat. It is a habit that will help change their eating behavior for a lifetime.

WATCHING ANIME CONSIDERED CHILDISH?

How would you feel when someone told you that you are being childish because you still watch anime or read manga at this age? It really did surprise me how some people would come out with such a remark. There are few hundred thousands of anime and manga in the market and most of them are purchased by adults. Even the illustrators are adults. Don’t tell me that they are childish too? Most Asians considered these as part of their culture while most Westerners related anime and manga to children. What a misinterpretation?

I am actually an anime lover by nature. Regardless what people might say about me, I still watch anime until today. It could be due to the facts that I was bought up in the Walt Disney environment and I am still an active member of the booming manga libraries. You will be surprised if I tell you that I do watch anime such as Sailormoon, Pokemon, Doraemon or even Digimon. I have also a wide collection of these anime by the boxes, ranging from Studio Ghibli collections, Cardcaptor Sakura, Detective Conan, Q Detective School, Ragnorak, Kindaichi, Saiyuki to western anime such as Rugrats, Kim Impossible, Atlantis, Nemo and so on.

To prove that anime is not only for children, let me share with you one of the anime which has 48 episodes in total. It is the Digimon Savers. In Episode 12, it was mentioned that Digimons invaded earth due to a few reasons. They are somehow related to the evil sentiments of humans which are wrath, lust, gluttony, sloth, envy, greed and pride. Even quite a large number of adults do not even understand the meaning of these words, what about children? Do they really understand the content or merely watching the animation for fun? In fact, I do learn a few new lessons too by watching these anime.

Let us listen to a short soundtrack of Digimon Savers. I have enclosed the lyrics in Japanese as well as the translation in English. If you digest the translation of the soundtrack, I am sure too that a 6 years old child might not understand the meaning of hope, future, power to dream, ambition, determination to succeed.

Waratte fuzake ate mo, Nanika ga chigau nanika tarinai
Yurayura yureru mayoi wo, Fukitobase
Hoshii mono wa ichiban, Tooku te mo tsukamu sa
Itsuka wa ano sekai wo, Teni ireru sa
Mirai wa mou tomaranai, Ashita mo kagayaku darou
Donna toki mo, Hikaru hitotsu hoshi

Omou mama kaketeku, Turimu koto wa shinai
Ashita wa kirihiraku, Hatenaku kono te de
Dokomade mo kaketeku, Nakusanai zettai ni
Yumemiru tamashii no chikara, Kanarazu ikeru kara

Translations:
Although we laugh and fool around together,
Something’s different, something’s lacking.
So blow away, the wavering, swaying hesitation
Even if what I want is the farthest away, I’ll grab it!
Someday that world will be mine!
The future won’t stop anymore,
Will tomorrow shine too?
No matter when, there’s one shining star!

I’ll run as much as I want, and never look back.
I’ll cut my way through tomorrow, with these hands.
I’ll run anywhere and I’ll never want to lose it.
With our power to dream, we can definitely do it.

If you ask me on my opinion in allowing children to watch anime, I would for sure have some doubts on its effects on the children. But again, am I stopping them in their process of growing up? Am I stopping them from knowing the real world out there? Do you think that even anime like Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny are suitable for children? Look at the “violence” involved with a cat using a hammer to hit the rat, vice versa. It somehow will affect the thinking and growing up of a child. Comparing with movies and TV show, watching anime can be even less violent. How children behave and grow up lies in the hands of the parents. Being overprotective is unhealthy, ignoring does not help either. No matter what, moderation is the ultimate answer. What is your view on this? Am I behaving too childish because I do watch anime and read manga? Share it out here.