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Providing space in the Klang Valley shopping center for autistic children helps parents who find it difficult to bring their special needs children to public places.
Facilities such as quiet rooms and sensor pods are currently available at 1 Utama Mall in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, as well as Sunway Putra and Sunway Velocity malls in Kuala Lumpur. These measures are specifically designed to help children with autism feel more comfortable when they are stressed and anxious due to noise and other stimuli.
National Autism Society of Malaysia president Mohd Nazrul Mohd Amin welcomed the measures and said that these facilities are important in creating an autism-friendly environment. Parents can bring their children there for a short break before continuing their shopping.
“These special rooms provide autistic children, who may have digestive problems, with a chance to relax in a safe and stimulating environment,” he said. The rooms have soft lighting and comfortable furniture, and a quiet area provides a place where children can relax after the stress of a busy environment.
Mohd Nazrul also said that some shopping malls have improved these facilities by adding sensor pods – small spaces equipped with technology that help children interact with their surroundings in a calm and controlled way. It also highlighted the need for the public to show understanding and compassion for the behaviour of children with special needs in public spaces. Mardhiah Akmar, 34, a mother of three children with special needs, said that providing such facilities has helped the country move towards a more inclusive society, allowing everyone to enjoy outdoor activities with their families.
“Taking a child with a fever into public spaces is not easy; they are very sensitive to their environment. “When they are upset, they feel uncomfortable and can become angry,” she explains.
Another mother, Diyana Sazali, 36, is grateful for the existence of these companies, saying they provide a better shopping experience for children with the condition. “Before,
we had to leave early because my child was very anxious and angry. With so many spaces suitable for autistic people, we feel supported and stress-free,” she concluded.
