Sunway Putra Mall is Malaysia's first autism friendly mall

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 27): Sunway Putra Mall has become the first autism-friendly mall to facilitate the people who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by providing public spaces that meet the needs of the community.

Chief Executive Officer Sunway Malls and Theme Parks, Chan Hoi Choy said under the Autsome project, short for ‘Autism is Awesome’, the mall has designated every Tuesday as autism friendly shopping day to provide an inclusive and comfortable shopping experience to them.

"We have started this project since Jan 8, and about 300 people with ASD have registered with us. They can enjoy privilege and services offered by us such as reserved parking, autism friendly facility known as Calm Room and shopping assistance,” he said in his speech at the Sunway Putra Mall Autsome Project here, yesterday.

He added the people with ASD will also have the 'Priority Lane’ as well as the light and music at the common area and participating outlet will be dimmed and lowered down to allow them to enjoy a stress-free experience without feeling uneasy.

Also present was Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Hannah Yeoh, who officiated the Autsome Project.

Hannah said autism is recognised as a developmental disability and it is vital to educate the society that has limited knowledge about ASD as well as misconception and prejudice about them.

"It is unfortunate that society understood so little about ASD and when children with ASD throw tantrum in public spaces, more than often it is inaccurately blamed on bad parenting.

“Let's not stop at shopping mall. There are other public facilities such as stadium and everywhere outside there and they should create awareness and provide public spaces that are suitable to meet the needs of the community and those with special needs,” she said.

Hannah also added as of Dec 31 last year, the Social Welfare Department (JKM) has registered 21,287 children as being on the ASD list.

Meanwhile, a mother who has an autism child, Putri Nadeeya Wan Mohamed Zahari, 35, said she opted to shop at Sunway Putra Mall as his son Muhammad Arif Zulkarnain Muhammad Yusuf, 5, had difficulty to handle loud noises and busy crowd.

“I enjoy shopping here because if Arif starts to throw tantrum, I can go to the Calm Room where they provide a calming environment and have many toys here for him to play around. It is very convenient,” she said.