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SMARTER ACTIVITIES FROM 2^ND – 4^TH JULY 2010

Sibling Support Workshop – Friday, 2^nd July 2010 (2pm-6pm)

 
Participants during the workshop.
(LEFT) 10 years old and below siblings (RIGHT) 11 years old and above siblings

SMARTER Brunei conducted its first ever Sibling Support Workshop recently on Friday the 2^nd of July 2010 at the ASD Centre- Sengkurong from 2pm – 6pm. It involved 33 brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends of SMARTER’s Individuals with Autism (IWAs). It also brought together about a dozen parents and guardians, 10 members of staff and 3 volunteers.

Due to the large age range (between 6 years old to 20 years old), the siblings were divided into 2 groups: 10 years and below and 11 years old and above.

The younger siblings were supervised by Teacher Arlene, Head Therapist of SMARTER’s ASD Sengkurong Centre. The YOUNGER SIBLINGS PARTICIPATED IN ACTIVITIES that THEIR SIBLINGS WITH AUTISM would DO at SMARTER, such as sensory activities, circle time, arts and crafts, food preparation, snack time and swimming.

  
Younger siblings doing activities that their sibling with autism are doing in SMARTER. Food Preparation, Arts and Crafts, and Sensory Activities.

The activities encouraged a healthy lifestyle, social interaction, teamwork, and creativity. In addition, during Circle Time, the siblings had the opportunity to talk about their most unforgettable experience with their sibling with autism, and any stories or concerns they have.

For example, one sibling shared a story wherein he enjoys spending time with his older brother with autism by watching his brother’s favourite TV program. The sibling said that as long as they were together, he was happy.   Sharing these experiences helped the siblings realise that they are not alone, and that much good can come out of having a sibling with autism.

During the entire afternoon, the siblings learned to understand their sibling with autism through the same

FUN activities that are conducted everyday at SMARTER. This helped instil a sense of empathy and compassion for their sibling with autism. At the end of the day, the siblings were asked to sign a contract in which they would promise to spend more time with sibling with autism, and be more understanding of them.

The next day, some parents commented on how the siblings had a great time at the workshop, and kept their end of the bargain in spending more time with their sibling with autism. With the PARENTS HAPPY, it feels like a resounding success.

The older siblings were supervised by Teacher Yani, Assistant Head Therapist of SMARTER’s ASD Centre and most importantly, AN OLDER SISTER TO A 12 YEAR OLD BOY WITH AUTISM. The older siblings participated in activities where they were deprived of using at least one of their senses, or the benefit of communication. This involved drawing another person without ever looking down at the paper, solving multi-coloured puzzles blindfolded, and making formations without the ability to see or touch. Having them blindfolded forces them to communicate with one another as clearly and efficiently as possible, trust one another and work together in order to achieve their goals. However, just as their sibling with autism, lacking the full function of their senses makes it difficult to do any of those things. It ended up being an educational day both for the siblings and the teachers and volunteers involved with lots of laughter and bonding.

The activities encouraged team building, communication, social interaction, empathy and understanding for each other and towards their sibling with autism.

 
Siblings of IWAs sharing their experiences...there were TEARS and LAUGHTERS...We need more tissue please!

One hour during the workshop was spent sharing any stories or concerns the siblings have about growing up with a sibling with autism. Issues such as COMPETITION, STRESS, DISCRIMINATION, FAMILY DYSFUNCTION, and MISUNDERSTANDING came about. But there were also stories of their sibling with autism giving them hugs, sharing a blanket, and stories of when their sibling with autism bumped into a pole because they were distracted by a pretty girl.

Adult siblings having their break and snack time

All in all, the workshop was a bundle of mixed feelings and emotions that the siblings were encouraged to talk about. While the many bumps and shrieks from being unable to see left crying from laughter, there were also moments where the tears shed were heartfelt and much needed.

This sibling support workshop will be the first of the many more to come. SMARTER hopes to conduct this workshop on a regular basis wherein the siblings themselves will create a working committee that would be run by siblings of individuals with autism FOR siblings with individuals with autism. The committee will still be under the umbrella of SMARTER but decision-making and the organizing of activities will be their responsibility. While it is a logical move for SMARTER, it is also a healthy, creative and education outlet for the siblings to take advantage of.

SMARTER FAMILY HOLIDAY CAMP – Saturday to Sunday, 3^rd – 4^th of July 2010

Group photo at the Beach

As a follow up to SMARTER’s successful and first ever Sibling Support Workshop, SMARTER Brunei organized a the “SMARTER Family Holiday Camp” from 3^rd  July 2010 (Saturday) until  4^th of July 2010 (Sunday) at the Taman Rekreasi Hutan Berakas Campsite. The event was also part of SMARTER’s monthly community adaptation program, wherein individuals with autism are gradually and seamlessly integrated into a community activity.

Other than the aforementioned objectives, the activity allowed theIWAs to experience doing activities outdoors and especially at night, while still performing everyday tasks such Personal Management, and Home Management Training, such as sleeping and showering outdoors, and adapting to unpredictable changes.

  
Parents also enjoyed the activities at the beach. In these photos: Umi (Zidan's mom), Sir Yusof (Udin's father) and Sir Khairol (Maziah's father)

Parents benefit from this activity as it gives them yet another activity to share with their child with autism, and their other family members.

Designed by T. Aziz

The theme for this year’s camping was “SMARTER goes Musical”. The activity had participants from all walks of life: there were 35 Individuals with Autism, their families, friends, and around 15 volunteers from ISB, ITB, UBD, SMS international School and the BruNotts Society (Nottingham, England).

   
(1st) Review of rules before the activity; (2nd) assembly time at the beach; (3rd) It's game time!

 
(LEFT)finders keepers during the treasure hunt; (RIGHT) using everything to make the longest line 

The camp kicked off at 4pm on Saturday at the Berakas Beach. IWAs, family, friends and staff enjoyed fun games such as making the longest relay, a hula hoop relay, treasure hunting, pass the hula hoop, and swimming in the sea.

  

That Saturday night was the highlight of the camp where 4 teams encompassing IWAs and family members had a parade showing off their banners and their unique cheers using different musical instruments. This was followed by 11 siblings and 7 members of SMARTER staff performing a Hand Mime of the song “The Gift”, choreographed by Teacher Naty. Spectators were so amazed by the many figures and words formed using only hands that there were calls for an encore.

The spectators also enjoyed a special guest performance from the students of SMS International School. The 4-person band serenaded us with their sweet voices and acoustic performances, with some people making special requests and sweet messages. The night ended with an open mic/karaoke session while everyone else feasted on the barbeque, giving opportunity for the siblings, parents, members of the staff, and one Individual with Autism to sing and showcase their talents. The IWA, Jonathan Foo, sang “Hotel California” and even danced in front of all the spectators.

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Dinner Time!....so many food....lots of people...Nyaman!

   
Good Morning Everyone!....(1st)Rise and shine Miguel!; (2nd) T. Naty leading the morning exercise 

  
Breakfast time!....it's good to start the day eating with family and friends 

     

(1st) preparing for the morning activity; (2nd) qayyum having his face painted; (3rd) fathers enjoying a moment together

Sir Malai giving his opening remarks

The next morning proved just as exciting as everyone was entertained with dance numbers and song renditions from each class level of SMARTER’s centres. Certificates of attendance were given out to all campers, volunteers, and siblings who joined the activities and helped in making it fun, fulfilling, meaningful and an all-round huge success.

 
(LEFT) Pre BACA and BACA Class during their performance; (RIGHT) Aidil showing off his singing talent

   
the people behind the success of the activities: SIBLINGS, VOLUNTEERS AND SMARTER STAFF.

THANK YOU AND WELL DONE EVERYONE!

 Malai (President)