105 participants gained a deeper understanding of Autism through a workshop conducted by Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) on 26 January 2022 via Zoom. Therapists, parents, social workers, teachers to student supporters alike took notes from Dr Sim Zi Lin, Psychologist and Autism Therapist. The three-hour introductory session, “Fundamentals of Autism” covered characteristics of Autism, learning needs of a person on the Autism spectrum and basic strategies in supporting then.
Through simple activities, participants brushed the surface of what it’s like to go through challenges that a person with Autism may encounter. At a demonstration, participants had to complete a maze with a narrow lens, by making use of a rolled up piece of paper. With the “narrow focus”, it was challenging to complete the maze due to the limited scope of information available, at any one time. A lack of information or its’ clarity is often faced by students on the Autism spectrum, and this may cause additional daily stress and hinders them from achieving their potential.
Two participants impart what they have learnt from the workshop:
“I realised that there are many things that we overlook in our interactions with persons on the spectrum. For instance, in our haste to elicit a response, we may not realise that we have not given a sufficient amount of time for the information to be processed. I’ve learnt that being cognisant of such behaviours could be very helpful to persons on the spectrum.”
- Hoh Zheng Feng Sean, Year 2, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS Enablers
“The more I learn about Autism, the better equipped I will be to make informed decisions for my student programmes. For instance, I plan games for my workshops and use a variety of tools. Now I know that it’s better to use strong coloured objects so that it’s more visible for students on the spectrum. Instead of white or beige coloured tape for marking boundaries, I use bright coloured and wide band tape so that it’s easier to see and identify. This helps all students to follow the game instructions better and fully participate. I will continue to practice such habits so that my sessions are more inclusive."
- Mr. Muhammad Haizuruldin, Lead Facilitator, Office of Student Affairs
With both NUS students and staff equipped to prevent or modify situations to reduce difficulties face by students with accessibility needs, it creates a more relaxed, inclusive, and safe environment so all students can thrive at NUS.
Sounds interesting? Look out for the next run of this workshop by Autism Resource Centre (Singapore), scheduled for 6 July 2022.
Questions? Contact the Student Accessibility Unit
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