In conjunction with Autism Awareness Month, Sunway Velocity Mall launched its “Autsome”, short for “Autism is Awesome” initiative, which is aimed to raise awareness for ASD as well as providing facilities and services for the autistic community.
Sunway Malls has been Malaysia’s pioneer in mall autism inclusivity when it first launched autism friendly initiative in 2019. This is in line with Sunway’s commitment to the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) which is to reduce inequalities.
ASD is a complex developmental disability that affects the brain’s development of interaction and communication skills. Individuals with ASD may experience difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and activities. Oftentimes these difficulties are not shared by those unaffected by autism, making it hard for autistic people to relate with the outside world. Individuals may also experience sensitivities in sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.
According to The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), an estimated 1 in 68 children are affected by autism. Even so, it is a condition that is not widely understood by or taught to the public, with autism-friendly resources and facilities being limited.
“As a socially responsible organization, we recognize the importance of creating spaces that are inclusive and accommodating to people of all abilities. Autsome represents our unwavering commitment to promoting awareness, acceptance, convenience, and understanding for individuals with autism by providing comfortable shopping facilities and privileges” mentioned Phang Sau Lian, Senior General Manager of Sunway Velocity Mall.
In line with this initiative, Sunway Velocity Mall will be introducing two new autistic-friendly features – calm pods and a 100% sustainable sensory wall.
Firstly, the first of its kind calm pods act as a transitory space for autistic individuals to seek sanctuary in case of sensory overload as they are more easily accessible and convenient in common areas of larger malls rather than conventional calm rooms which are located further away. The mall has access to two Calm Pods where they can rest in a private, serene space with minimal crowd. These pods are portable and first in the mall featuring beautiful flowers with pastel colour tones. The Calm Pods are located at Level G, in front of Haagen-Dazs and Level B2, next to AEON travellator respectively.
The second feature, a 100% sustainable sensory wall was designed and sponsored by the mall’s partner, 3.8 Art & Creative in which fabric remnants, plastic waste, paper pulp tray, branches and other recycled materials were reimagined and re-created Van Gogh’s famous art into a sensory piece to allow individuals with autism to touch, feel, and connect. Similarly, Sunway Putra Mall, Sunway Carnival Mall, and Sunway Pyramid also have sensory walls in the mall.
Continuing from Sunway Putra Mall and Sunway Carnival Mall, Sunway Velocity Mall has implemented its “Autism Friendly Shopping Day” every Tuesday except public holidays from 10am – 5pm. During this period, calm and jazz music will play throughout the mall. Certain tenants such as illy Caffe, Marks & Spencer, KidzB, Fitness Concept, An Viet, Salad Atelier, Juicy, ALL IT and more will offer special promotions and accommodation such as quiet seating areas. This is an effort to provide an inclusive and comfortable shopping experience, and simultaneously to increase the public’s understanding and acceptance on ASD.
Phang adds “We have also Autsome kits that include a special wristband for children with ASD to wear for easier identification and assistance if needed as well as a car sticker for families to park at the designated reserved parking bays. In addition, specialized trainings are progressively organized by Autism Behavioral Center for our mall’s frontliners, security, customer care as well as the mall’s store employees, to ensure that everyone is trained and well prepared. “
The grand launch saw 15 children from NASOM invited to the mall for the opening, at the mall’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Hub. The choir & performance talents of the children were showcased after they were treated to a hands-on Microgreens Growing Workshop by Sunway XFarms. This green workshop was held in conjunction with the mall’s SDG Month educating and empowering the children to learn the uncommonly taught hard skills of growing their own food.
“Growing food is a valuable lifelong skill that can be taught from young. At Sunway XFarms, we believe that everyone should have access to fresh and safe food. It gives us joy seeing smiles on the children’s faces as they learn these interactive skills.” says Eleanor Choong, COO of Sunway XFarms.
The partnership between Sunway Velocity and Sunway XFarms stems from the building of the mall’s Rooftop Farm, which was completed in 2022, and now serves as a green space in Kuala Lumpur City Centre that grows fresh, nutritious, and pesticide-free vegetables.
To fully experience Sunway Velocity Mall’s autism-friendly privileges and facilities, families can register with the mall at the Concierge Counter on Level 1, to receive their identifiable Autsome wristband that allows the individuals to flash at participating outlets for special privileges and for frontliners to spot them as well as a parking sticker for the reserved bays.
Visit Sunway Velocity Mall’s Facebook page, Instagram, and website for more information. And don’t forget to follow the mall on TikTok and Xiao Hong Shu for the trendiest of things!