Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN RECOMMENDATIONS ON AUTISM

PROGRAM

PHOTOS OF PRE-SECOND ASEAN AUTISM CONGRESS EVENTS

PHOTOS OF SECOND ASEAN AUTISM CONGRESS EVENTS

MEDIA COVERAGE

APPENDICES

AAN Executive Committee Members

AAN Member Organizations

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Second ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) Congress was organized at the Songket Ballroom of the Rizqun International Hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on 27-29 April 2013 with the theme “Toward Autism Friendly ASEAN Community.” The Congress stresses the importance of inclusiveness of persons with autism to promote an autistic-friendly ASEAN community by sharing experiences of their journey with persons with autism. It was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim Ibni, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, DKMB, PHBS.

The program started with the Pre-Congress Workshop which was held at the SEAMEO VOCTECH building and gave persons with autism a VOICE (Vocal and Oral tools to Interact and Communicate Effectively) to be able to communicate and interact with others. More than 50 participants from ASEAN gathered at the workshop on 25 April 2013.

The first ASEAN Autism Youth Camp with the theme “Building an I-CAFE (Interaction, Companion, Affection in a Friendly Environment) for persons with autism" was held at the Taman Rekreasi Hutan Simpan Berakas Reserve Forest on 26-27 April 2013. The Camp allowed persons with autism from different nations to interact and develop their management skills. 30 persons with autism and supporters participated in the Camp.

The Congress was designed to give an opportunity for persons with autism and their families to collaborate towards achieving ASEAN standards with reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD and other international and regional instruments related to autism. About 400 participants, including persons with autism, and their famillies, professionals and officials, attended the Congress.

As a result of the Congress, the “Bandar Seri Begawan Recommendations on Autism” was adopted. In collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), the Secretariat of AAN, AAN is determined to enhance and facilitate cooperation for an “Inclusive, Barrier-Free and Rights-Based Society for Persons with Autism”. The third AAN Congress will be organized in Malaysia in 2015.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN RECOMMENDATIONS ON AUTISM

We, the representatives of persons with autism, their parents, siblings and other family members,

governments, care givers, the business sector and other stakeholders in the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (MEAN), over 300 persons, gathered in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 27 to 29 April 2013 in the second ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) Congress with the theme "Towards Autism Friendly ASEAN Community". His Royal Highness Prince Hj 'Abdul' Azim attended the opening ceremony of the.Congress and endorsed the need of appropriate support to persons with autism and their families in the ASEAN region

We deeply thank the organizers of the Congress: SMARTER BRUNEI in partnership with AAN, in partnership with AAN, in collaboration with the Government of Brunei Darussalam through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with support from the people of Brunei Darussalam, for their great hospitality and support in the successful coordination of the Congress.

In agreement with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Incheon Strategy to "Make the Right Real" for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, and the Bali Declaration on the Enhancement of the Role and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community, AAN has made various efforts to raise the voices of persons with autism, their parents, siblings and other family members, in partnership with the Governments in the ASEAN Member States and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD).

In line with the framework of the ASEAN Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2011 2020) and the Asia-Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2013-2022), we shared our commitment to one key principle within AAN during the Congress, namely, "Act for Autism Now", recognizing that the number of persons with autism is increasing in the ASEAN Member States, while their diverse needs are not always addressed in the policies and programs by the Governments.

In view of the stated perspectives, the Congress makes the following recommendations:

1. Partnerships between ASEAN and its Secretariat, the Governments in the ASEAN Member States, AAN and APCD should be strengthened to promote and implement an autism-friendly ASEAN community in a sustainable manner;

2. Organizations serving persons with autism should be part of the planning, implementation and monitoring of disability-related policies and programs at the local, national and international levels. This requires necessary resource allocations with autism, their parents, siblings and other family members to make autism related initiatives more achievable;

3. Standardized methods to assess autism and evidence-based intervention should be introduced and implemented in the ASEAN Member States;

4. Key performance indicators should be established to measure and review the progress of autism-related activities at the national and regional levels;

5. Opportunities for education, vocational trahing, employment and social protection should be provided to persons with autism in an inclusive way;

6. Capacity building trainings should be made available and accessible to persons with autism, their parents, siblings and other family members, to enhance the recognition of the urgent needs of persons with autism towards a "Autism Friendly MEAN Community";

7. Research in relation to autism, particularly incidence of autism for proper resource planning, therapies and other necessary services, shdd be conducted continuously; and

8. The third ASEAN Autism Network Congress should be held in Malaysia in 2015.Unanimously agreed by all participants at the second ASEAN Autism Network Congress, 29 April 2013

Signed by:

Malai Hj Abdullah Othman, Chairperson, ASEAN Autism Network, President, SMARTER Brunei, Brunei Darussalam

Chusak Janthayanond, Honorary Chairperson, ASEAN Autism Network; President, Association of Parents for Thai Persons with Autism, Thailand

Teh Beng Choon, Deputy Chairperson, ASEAN Autism Network; Chairman, NASOM Autism Advisory Council, Malaysia

Dyah Puspita, Deputy Chairperson, ASEAN Autism Network; Secretary, Yayasan Autisma Indonesia, Indonesia

Cecile S. Sicam, Honorary Secretary, ASEAN Autism Network; Vice President, Autism Society Philippines, the Philippines

Hoang Ngoc Bich, Honorary Treasurer, ASEAN Autism Network; Executive Committee Member, Hanoi Club for Families of Children with Autism, Vietnam

Nay Myo Naing, Chairperson of Public Relations and Information Committee, ASEAN Autism Network; External Relations Officer, Myanmar Autism Association, Myanmar

Viengsam Soinxay, Chairperson of Research and Development Committee, ASEAN Autism Network; President, Association for Autism, Lao PDR

Svay Simorn, Chairperson of Learning, Education and Training Committee, ASEAN Autism Network; Director, Parents Association for Children with Intellectual Disabilities, Cambodia

Akiee Ninomiya, Secretary General, ASEAN Autism Network; Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, Thailand.

PROGRAM

Pre-Congress Workshop: Giving Persons with Autism a VOICE (Using Visual and Oral Tools to Interact and Communicate Effectively)

25 April 2013 | Venue: SEAMEO – VOCTECH

Session 1

08.30–10.00

Introduction, Lecture, and Discussion

10.00–10.30

Refreshment

Session 2

10.30–12.00

Group Activity:

-Learning the importance of a VOICE (Vocal and Oral tools to Interact and Communicate Effectively

12.00–13.30

Lunch Break

Session 3

13.30–15.00

Group Work:

-Participants divided into groups and come up with ideas and techniques to use VOICE

15.00–15.30

Refreshment

Session 4

15.30–17.00

Group Presentation:

-How to give a VOICE to a person with autism?

First ASEAN Autism Youth Camp: Building an I-CAFE

26-27 April 2013 | Venue: Taman Rekreasi Hutan Simpan Berakas

Sesion 1

14.00-18.00

Registration

Orientation

Self-introduction through Drawing/Stories Using Pictures

Making of group banner

Decorating their respective chalet

Practice for the talent show of each country

Going to the beach (swimming) walking in the park

18:00-19:00

Dinner/PMT

19:00-19:30

Performance Preparation

19:30-20:00

Assembly of Campers

Opening Ceremony

20:00-22:00

Arrival of Guest of Honour Yang Berhormat Pehin

Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila DirajaDato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji AbdullahMinister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei Darussalam

Surah Al Fatihah

Welcoming Speech

Mr. Malai Hj Abdullah bin Hj Othman President, Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER)

Dance Presentation BACA Centre

BACA Centre

Opening Remarks

Launching of the ASEAN Autism Youth Camp 2013

Guest of Honour

Performance (Talent Show) by AAN Member Countries

Presentation of Souvenir to the Guest of Honour

Presentation of Certificate to Campers

Award Presentation

Camp Tour Guest of Honour

Guest of Honour

21:00-23.00

Barbeque Party

27 April 2013 | Venue: Taman Rekreasi Hutan Simpan Berakas

06:00-07.00

Aerobics Exercise

07:00-07.00

Personal Management Training

07:30-08.00

Tidying Up

Second ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) Congress

27 April 2013 | Venue: Songket Ballroom, 4th Floor, The Rizqun International Hotel

Opening Ceremony

07:30-09:00

Registration of AAN participants

09:00-12:00

Arrival of Guest of Honour

HRH Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim Ibni HM Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah DKMB PHBS

Bacaan Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat

Opening Remarks

Mr. Malai Hj Abdullah bin Hj Othman President, Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER)

Welcome Remarks

Mr. Chusak Janthayanond Chairperson, ASEAN Autism Network

Sabda

HRH Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim Ibni HM Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah DKMB PHBS

Launching of the Second ASEAN Autism Network Congress

Video Presentation and Parade of ASEAN Flags

Introduction of Heads of the ASEAN Delegates

Keynote Speaker

Mr. Akiie Ninomiya

Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

Santap/Refreshments

Photo Session and Signing of the Parchment

Viewing of the ASEAN Autism Awareness Exhibition

Departure of Guest of Honour

HRH Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim Ibni HM Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah DKMB PHBS

Session 1

13.30-14.30

Creating our Own Affordable and Sustainable Intervention

Program Using Local Resources

Presentations and Discussion:

-How to obtain sustainability

-Providing ideas, using indigenous resources, etc.

-Partnership with various organizations in the community

By Brunei Darussalam: Mr. Malai Hj Abdullah bin Hj Malai Othman

14.30-15.00

Coffee Break

Session 2

15.00-17.00

Ensuring a Guaranteed Intervention Program that will be accessible to All

Presentations and Discussion:

-Effectiveness of early intervention

-Services available for early intervention

-Supporting students with autism in schools

By Brunei Darussalam: Dr. Hjh Mawarni Hj Abdul Hamid, Dr. Wati binti Haji Bujang/ Norhidafaizah binti Tompal and Malaysia: Dr. Lim Boon Hock

28 April 2014 | Venue: Sutra Ballroom, 4th Flr., The Rizqun International Hotel

Session 3

09.00-10.00

Core Skills for CHIPS (Contributing, Holistic, Independent, Productive, and Successful) as Members of the Society

Presentations and Discussion:

-Going into the different stages in life of an individual with autism

-Stresses, issues, and needs of an individual with autism

-Their struggles on ever changing social expectations

By Brunei Darussalam: Ms. Arlene Arce

10.00-10.30

Coffee Break

Session 4

10.30-11.30

Creative Arts: Discovering their Amazing Talents

Presentation/Workshop:

-Developing their abilities and talents

-There will always be a room for changes (developing a program based on their skills and interests)

-Tips on how to have meltdown-free performances on stage

By Singapore: Mr. Low Kok Wai

11.30-12.30

Presentation/Workshop:

-Inclusive Education for Students with Autism in Thailand:

A Case Study of Kasetsart University

By Thailand: Mr. Surachai Jewcharoensakul

12.30-13.30

Lunch Break

Session 5

13.30-15.00

Sharing Discussion

Presentations and Discussion:

-Experiences of living with a person with autism

By AAN Representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Malaysia

15.00-15.30

Coffee Break

20:00-24.00

Aquatic Treasure Collection

Discovering the richness and cleanliness of the body of water

Closing

-Live While We’re Young

-Hafiz Osli 28 April 2014 | Venue: Sutra Ballroom, 4th Flr., The Ri

28 April 2014 | Venue: Sutra Ballroom, 4th Flr., The Rizqun International Hotel

Closing Ceremony

09:00-12.00

Arrival of Guest of Honour

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia

Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong

Minister of Education, Brunei Darussalam

Recital of Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat

Announcement of Recommendations

New Elected Chairperson, AAN

Closing Remarks

Col (Rtd) Pg Kamal Bashah bin Pg Hj Ahmad

Chairman, the Second AAN Congress

Hand over the Banner to the Next Hosting Nation

Closing Address

Guest of Honour

15.30-16.45

Presentations and Discussion:

-Experiences of living with a person with autism (continued)

By AAN Representatives from Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam

Session 6

16.45-17.30

Open Discussion/Drafting the Recommendations By AAN Members

Charity Gala Night

20:00-24.00

Arrival of Guest of Honour

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang

Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji

Mohammad Yusof

Minister of Health Brunei Darussalam

Opening Remarks

Mr. Malai Hj Abdullah bin Hj Malai Othman President, SMARTER

Certificate of Appreciation

Cenderamata

Presentation from Individuals with Autism

AAN Member Countries

Video Presentation Please Don’t Shut Me Out

Opening

-One in a Million

-Aidil bin Fazakir

-Celebration Parade

Oddy’s Quest: Part 1

Auto Mobile Collection

Conceptualized from the previous SMARTER’s musical play

Magical “Rimba” Collection

Exploring the beauty and richness of Brunei’s rain forest

Innovative Smarter Collection

Showcasing SMARTER’s uniqueness and innovation

Intermission

-Wonderfoos

-Dream Girls

Oddy’s Quest: Part 2

3R – Eco Friendly Collection

Giving importance to Reuse, Reduce, and, Recycle program

PHOTOS OF PRE-SECOND ASEAN AUTISM CONGRESS EVENTS

Pre-Congress Workshop

First ASEAN Autism Youth Camp

Performances

PHOTOS OF SECOND ASEAN AUTISM CONGRESS EVENTS

Opening Ceremony

Exhibition on Autism

Over 400 participants

Recommendations on Autism

ASEAN Autism Network Members

Performances

MEDIA COVERAGE

US News Agency

http://www.usnewslasvegas.com/foreign/asian-nations/2nd-asean-autism congress-set-april-27-and-29-in-brunei/

The Brunei Times

http://www.bt.com.bn/2013/04/29/brunei-can-be-model-autisticcentres-asean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoNQEUQQtyU

APPENDICES

AAN Executive Committee Members

Chairperson

Mr. Malai Hj Abdullah Othman

President, Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER), Brunei Darussalam

Honorary Chairperson

Mr. Chusak Janthayanond

President, Association of Parents for Thai Persons with Autism, Thailand

Deputy Chairperson 1

Dr. Teh Beng Choon

Chairman, The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), Malaysia

Deputy Chairperson 2

Dr. Adriana Ginanjar

Member, Scientific Committee

Autism Foundation of Indonesia

Honorary Treasurer

Ms. Hoang Ngoc Bich

Executive Committee Member, Hanoi Club for Families of Children with Autism, Vietnam

Honorary Secretary

Ms. Cecilia Sicam

Vice President, Autism Society Philippines, The Philippines

Chairperson of Public Relations and Information Committee

Mr. Nay Myo Naing

External Relations Officer, Myanmar Autism Association, Myanmar

Chairperson of Research and Development Committee

Ms. Viengsam Soinxay

President, Association for Autism, Lao PDR

Chairperson of Learning, Education and Training Committee

Ms. Svay Simorn

Director, Parents Association for Children with Intellectual Disabilities, Cambodia

Secretary General

Mr. Akiie Ninomiya

Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, Thailand

AAN Member Organizations

Brunei Darussalam

SMARTER Brunei

bjak_smarter@live.com

Cambodia

Parents Association for Children with Intellectual Disabilities

pachid.cambodia@gmail.com

Indonesia

Yayasan Autisma Indonesia

info@autisme.or.id

Lao PDR

Association for Autism

info@laoautism.org

Malaysia

National Autism Society of Malaysia

info@nasom.com.my

Myanmar

Myanmar Autism Association

myanmar.autism.association@gmail.com

Philippines

Autism Society Philippines

autismphils@gmail.com

Thailand

Association of Parents for Thai Persons with Autism

autisticthai@yahoo.com

Vietnam

Vietnam Autism Network

vietnamautismnetwork@gmail.com

AAN Secretariat

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

aan@apcdfoundation.org

Logos:

SMARTER Brunei

Parents Association for Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Yayasan Autisma Indonesia

Association for Autism

National Autism Society of Malaysia

Myanmar Autism Association

Autism Society Philippines

Association of Parents for Thai Persons with Autism

Vietnam Autism Network

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

Flags:

Brunei Darussalam

Cambodia

Indonesia

Lao PDR

Malaysia

Myanmar

Philippines

Thailand

Vietnam

(Back Cover)

Accessible for Persons with disAbilities

Society for the Management of Autism-Related Issues-Training,Education and Resources SD Intervention Centre - Sengkurong

Jalan Sengkurong "A" Kampung Sengkurong Bandar Seri Begawan BG1121 Negara, Brunei Darussalam

Telephone/Fax: +67 32661830

Email: president@smarterbrunei.org | Website: www.smarterbrunei.org

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Telephone: +66 (0)2 354-7505 | Fax: +66 (0)2 354-7507

Email: info@apcdfoundation.org | Website: www.apcdfoundation.org

ASEAN Autism Network

c/o APCD 255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Telephone: +66 (0)2 354-7505 | Fax: +66 (0)2 354-7507

Email: aan@apcdfoundation.org | Website: www.aan-asean.net