BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Intervention Centre in Sengkurong will be relocated to the former Mata-Mata Clinic area and a new centre will be built to cater to the large number of individuals with autism aged 12 and below.

This was announced by the president of the Society for the Management of Autism-Related Issues in Training, Education and Research (SMARTER) at a press conference held at the Brunei Autism Centre for Adults in Jangsak yesterday.

“The new location is a 1-acre plot of land. We will demolish two abandoned buildings to clear the area and utilise the bungalow (former Mata-Mata Clinic) as part of the new intervention centre and build an improved ASD Intervention Centre,” said Malai Hj Abdullah Malai Hj Othman.

Malai Hj Abdullah said a total of $111,400 is needed to build the new ASD Intervention Centre, which will have 12 rooms with 10 of them to be used as classrooms and the remaining two for a creative arts area and a library. In addition, a larger and improved sensory processing activities area will be located in the middle of the centre.

“We have support from LSL Sdn Bhd to build the fully air-conditioned centre. Each classroom will cost around $10,000,” added the president.

“We’re hoping for generous companies to at least sponsor the building of one classroom and will have it named after the company as our way of showing appreciation.” The relocation and opening of the new ASD Intervention Centre is planned to be completed on April 2 next year, which will coincide with World Autism Awareness Day celebrations.

The Brunei Times