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Join the Fun! SAYS Hosts Its First Inclusive Playgroup for Autism Awareness.

Lights, camera, connection!
Join the Fun! SAYS Hosts Its First Inclusive Playgroup for Autism Awareness.

Malaysian social news site SAYS recently organized its first inclusive playgroup in a wonderful effort to promote autism understanding and acceptance.

The heartwarming event, held on May 14, 2023 at Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), 3 Damansara, brought together 30 families with children on the autism spectrum for a day of joy and connection.

SAYS collaborated with GSC and The Early Autism Project to create an unforgettable experience for everyone who participated.

The morning began with a slew of fun activities, laying the groundwork for a fantastic day. A free showing of The Super Mario Bros. Movie greeted the families, delivering the ideal combination of fun and togetherness.

 
Every child's dream come true. IMAGE: SAYS

The children got unfettered access to a variety of playground facilities inside GSC's PlayPlus facility in Petaling Jaya. The little ones were immersed in a world of fun and adventure, with gigantic slides, ball pits, and wooden climbing gyms. Stuff that would make the adults wish they were kids again.

Children were also encouraged to express their creativity at the SAYS Arts & Crafts station by making 'Mario' and 'Luigi' origami hats and coloring pages. The Mario-themed photo booth, of course, was super popular as it allowed families to capture cherished memories in a fun way.

The Mario balloons by The Supa Dupa Circus made lots of little ones happy. IMAGE: SAYS

But wait, there's more! The Supa Dupa Circus, a group of brilliant balloon artists and family entertainers, put their talents to use by creating incredible Mario-themed balloon art for the kids. Each invention, from laser guns and butterflies to monkeys holding bananas, delighted and excited many families.

Meanwhile, The Early Autism Project (EAP) exhibit included free autism testing, important autism education, information about their web portal, and even some merchandize that could be purchased.

Mario Origami hat, anyone? IMAGE: SAYS

"It is so heartwarming as Malaysians to witness the continued efforts of organizations like SAYS and GSC in raising awareness on autism and promoting inclusion for individuals with different abilities. We at EAP are honored to be a part of this event and look forward to more collaborative efforts together!” the organization said.

The playgroup also served as a valuable opportunity for parents and caregivers of autistic children to acquire information and resources to help them along their journey.

The Early Autism Project booth. IMAGE: SAYS

Many also took the opportunity to get to know other families with autistic family members. Building a supportive network and connecting autism families was an important component of SAYS' playgroup's mission.

The playgroup is part of SAYS' ‘All About Autism’ campaign in line with World Autism Month. Apart from the playgroup, a fundraising effort for The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), and an experiential video, the social news site also has created a special landing page where Malaysians can read, watch, and learn more about autism spectrum disorder through interviews with autistic individuals, as well as find resources from specialists, therapists, and experts in the field.

“My son was diagnosed with autism when he was seven years old. It can be a lonely journey for both the child and their parents, as it’s difficult to understand unless you are in the same situation," REV Media Group's Head of English Network Laila Zain revealed.

"Our goal in creating this playgroup is to not only allow children on the spectrum to meet others like them and be themselves in a safe space, but also for their families to be able to connect,” she added.

Laila Zain, REV Media Group's Head of English Network. IMAGE: SAYS

Noordiana Ibrahim, Senior Specialist of Public Relations at GSC, shared the cinema's commitment to inclusivity, stating, “As the leading cinema exhibitor in Malaysia, our aim is to foster inclusivity amongst Malaysians and that includes creating safe-spaces for our friends with special needs with sensory-friendly screenings, where movies are screened at a reduced volume and dimmed lighting to make it a comfortable experience for the kids.”

Nicely done, SAYS!

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Cover image sourced from SAYS.

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