THIS year, Champs, together with the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) will mark their fifth collaboration to promote nationwide autism acceptance in Malaysia.
Champs is the health supplement brand from the consumer healthcare
arm of pharmaceutical company, Duopharma Biotech Berhad.
The launch of the 2021 Champs-Nasom Autism Awareness campaign, themed "Kasihi Autisme Bersama Champs", was graced by Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Khairy Jamaluddin.
Over 150 pieces of hand painted artworks by children with autism were also showcased as part of a fundraiser in support of Nasom's services and programmes.
"My wife and I are personally invested in the cause to promote autism awareness and providing access to therapy, especially in helping families who cannot afford the fees," says Khairy.
Every child with autism should be acknowledged as well as nurtured to their fullest potential to enable them to lead meaningful lives, he adds.
Champs will also include a sales contribution, collaborating with Guardian Malaysia, where RM1 from the sale of every Champs Vitamin C promotion pack will be donated to Nasom.
For the first time through this campaign, the artistic talents of children with autism are being shined on, showcasing art created by children under Nasom's Art Therapy Programme says Duopharma Biotech group managing director, Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar.
The "Kasihi Autisme Bersama Champs Autism Awareness" campaign will be a catalyst to widen support for the autism community while nurturing their talents, adds Leonard.
Autism is recognised as one of the fastest growing conditions globally, and covers a wide range of developmental disorders in areas of social interaction and basic communication skills.
Nasom does art therapy for children with autism to help them find themselves and be able to communicate through creative expression.
Art has been shown to be a highly positive intervention tool for children with autism, allowing them to freely express their thoughts and feelings.
"We hope that through the Kasihi Autisme Bersama Champs campaign, the public would be able to recognise these children and the ways that they communicate," says Nasom president, Datuk Megat Ahmad Shahrani Megat Sharuddin.
Each child is different and children with autism even more so he explains. Art in itself is a form of therapy that not only enriches a child's imagination, but also improves their skills and develops their ability to interact with others.
This method is especially instrumental among children with autism and with the right encouragement, they can flourish as well as enrich society with their creativity.
The art pieces by children from Nasom will be available for sale on www.dbhealth2go.com until June 15. All proceeds from the sale will go towards Nasom's cause to improve the quality of life for people with autism and their families through programmes, services, resources, knowledge and social innovation, and promoting rights and opportunities for people with autism.