Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 5 April 2024 - Special Em’s Education Group (SEEG), an organisation founded by Mr. Thanh Bui for children with special needs, will cooperate with leading experts from Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) to launch an “Understanding Autism” course – the first training programme by SEEG and SUSS in Vietnam. The course will run from April 1st to May 1st, 2024 and is available on SUSS UniLEARN Singapore’s e-learning platform.
Developed by SUSS and its partner, Autism Resource Centre (ARC), a reputable institution in Singapore dedicated to advancing awareness, advocacy and empowerment for individuals with autism, this professional training course aims to improve SEEG teaching staff’s professional skills, which are based on international standards, and enhance community awareness about children with special needs and provide better support for people with autism in Vietnam.
Special education teachers and educators will improve their understanding and knowledge of autism spectrum disorders through 5 key points:
- Understanding the core characteristics of autism;
- Recognizing some possible causes of autism;
- Identifying the prevalence of autism;
- Recognizing that autism exists on a spectrum;
- Recognizing that every individual with autism is unique.
Upon course completion, learners will receive a certificate issued and certified by ARC and SUSS UniLearn.
The partnership between SUSS and ARC commenced in 2017, laying the groundwork for the development of the Understanding Autism online course. Launched in August 2019, this online course aims to nurture empathy towards individuals with autism and their families. By exploring real-life situations, like a child in distress at a shopping mall, the course prompts a shift in attitudes. Instead of reacting negatively, participants are urged to respond with understanding and compassion, fostering a more empathetic and inclusive society.
On behalf of SUSS UniLEARN, Associate Professor Gabriel Gervais, Director of Online Learning at SUSS, shared: "We are excited that the UniLEARN team at SUSS is collaborating with Embassy Education, our trusted partner in Vietnam, to introduce the “Understanding Autism” course to the Vietnamese community. Besides extending SUSS’ reach to the region, this collaboration leverages Singapore’s robust expertise and leadership in autism awareness to provide enhanced support and improved life opportunities for individuals with autism and their families throughout Southeast Asia."
Mr.Thanh Bui – Founder of the Vietnamese International Clinic for Autism (VICA) and Special Em’s Education Center (SEEC) for children with autism shared about his efforts to improve the understanding of autism with the help of international experts: "Beside developing comprehensive and effective intervention methods, my vision is to build a strong and empathetic community for Vietnamese autistic children. Education is essential for understanding and assisting children with special needs. By employing innovative, science-based methods taught by leading experts from developed countries, we can better support the needs of these children. This will empower and encourage many teachers and educators to work with children with special needs. Doing this also helps children who have autism spectrum disorders obtain more opportunities to progress, grow in their own ways, confidently integrate into our community to live happily."
Profiles of Experts in Understanding Autism course
The “Understanding Autism” online course was designed by experts from ARC, namely Dr Sim Zi Lin, Psychologist and Autism Therapist, and Dr Lam Chee Meng, Principal Autism Consultant and Psychologist.
Graduated with a PhD in Psychology from the University of Auckland, Dr Lam Chee Meng has been trained in various assessment methods and intervention techniques, and is a practicing psychologist since 1985. He provides specialist autism training and coaching to professionals, educators, parents and caregivers.
Graduated with a Summa Cum Laude distinction from the University of California (UC), Berkeley, with a BA in Psychology, Dr. Sim Zi Lin is a Psychologist and Autism Therapist at the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) responsible for training and coaching staff in designing autism-friendly learning environments.
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