ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) conducted its monthly Executive Committee Meeting of the year on Thursday, March 30, 2023. The meeting was held online, and it was discussing about the meeting report from each country, as well the Autism Mapping Phase II.

 

The meeting started with AAN current Chairman, Mr. Syvang Xayyavong from Association for Autism (AfA) Lao PDR. Mr. Syvang conveyed the 3 points, including the first one is the rights of inclusive education for People with Disabilities (PwD) that involving 3 organizations of PwD, then discussed with the participants about the policies of inclusive education, then the second is AfA delivered the inclusive development and gender equity, then the last one is ownership, and approaching to inclusive education for community. Mr. Syvang also discussed about the upcoming Walk for Autism, Mr. Syvang said that AfA cooperates with local authorities and business sectors, and it will be held at the southern province.

 

Mr. Cason Ong from National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) reported that they are still finalizing for the World Autism Day in April, but the walk event will be held on May 27 due to the Eid Al-Fitr holidays. Mr. Cason stated that NASOM is currently busy organizing the Ramadan and Fundraising events after they were fully recovered and returned to normal from the Covid-19 regulations.

 

Mr. Nay Myo Naing from Myanmar Autism Association (MAA) reported that MAA has done self-reliance training activities for people on the spectrum, as well MAA will have to hold an online campaign event for World Autism Awareness Day, such as posting the videos, articles for social media footage. Mr. Nay said that the Funding support slows down drastically due to worsening money flow between the banks, the citizens, and the foreign countries by the central bank that made the money flow had been affected, and limited. Mr Nay also talked about the current country situation is deteriorating, with the increasing and rising the crime rates, curfews, worsening human rights, and military junta ratifying the new Association Registration Law that could put a permanently hindered and halted on MAA’s activities by the end of 2024.

 

Mr. Muhammad Abijdzar Alghivari from AAN Secretariat Indonesia who was filling in and substituting for Mr. Frederik (Iki) Rotty from Yayasan Autisma Indonesia (YAI), and Ms. Candy Hernandez, M.Si from LSPR/LSCAA Indonesia reported that he had attended a meeting with Mr. Heru Santoso to organize the Walk for Autism 2023 in Indonesia. Mr. Ghivar said that the date of event will be held on May 14 in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, and it will be sponsored by Panasonic, Koji Café, LSPR, and LSBA. The event will include the long walk, bazaar, workshops, games, talent shows, and painting.

 

Mr. Sirisak (P’Mhee) Wiwatana, Self-Advocate for Autism from Association of Parents for Thai Person with Autism (AU-Thai) reported that their Walk for Autism event will be held on April 2. The event is in collaboration with Thai Autistic College, with the event that will include such as making coffee, baking bread and cake, drawing the sticker line, or even decoding on computer.

 

Ms. Pham Thi Kim Tam from Vietnam Autism Network (VAN) reported that Vietnam’s Walk for Autism activities will be for 2 days on April 1 and 2 in Hue City, with the participants who are joining more than 1000 participants. The activities include long walking, games, and streaming.

 

Ms. Siriporn (Siri) Praserdchat from APCD who is filling in for the usual Mr Somchai, Ms. NuNu, and Mr. Khun Jieb said that Mr. Somchai is having a foundation meeting, while Ms. NuNu, and Mr. Khun Jieb are having a meeting in Suphan Buri Province. Ms. Siri gave 3 points, the first one is she reminded all AAN’s Executive Committee Members to provide an approval for the ASEAN Autism Mapping Phase II and JAIF Project Proposal. Second, she reminded to submit the meeting report of AAN’s Congress in Kuala Lumpur last year in November, as well the financial report. Third, she discussed about the future network, and strengthening between the AAN members.

 

Here is the group photo for the AAN Executive Committee March 2023 version.