Animals for YOUNG, a holistic early intervention center for special needs children, is now opened in Cyberjaya!
Animals for YOUNG is a revolutionary therapeutic method to help in the early intervention for children with autism. Its founder, Dr. Khew, whose studies is in the field of Human-Animal Relations, finds that animals help in the emotional, physical and social development for humans. Dr. Khew also founded Malaysia’s first cat cafe to help people cope with depression.
Dr. Khew says: “Animals would have a lot more to offer for children. Besides helping children with their psychosocial development, such as building rapport, increasing self-esteem and motivation, and stress reduction, animals could also assist in the development of children’s motor skills, communication, and sensory issues.”
Besides autism, Animals for YOUNG also assists in the early intervention of children with:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Cerebral Palsy (CP)
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD/ Dyspraxia)
- Down’s Syndrome (DS)
- Global Development Delay (GDD)
- Reading & Learning Disorder (Dyslexia)
- Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
- Speech & Language Delay
Our in-house Occupational Therapist, Ms. Norshazrini, who has experience working with more than 1,000 special needs children says: “Animals can help therapists in achieving a certain planned goal. Children tend to be more motivated when an animal is used in a controlled setting. Animals also benefit children in sensory and social skills.”
Children in our programme will be assessed and an individualized program will be planned for them.
Our Animals for YOUNG Intervention Program (AYIP) will incorporate:
- Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Sensory Integration
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
- School Readiness
- Art & Origami
- Music & Movement
- Sports
- Baking
- Fencing
- Puppetry
- Play Therapy
- Life Skills
- Academic Functional Skills (Math Skills & Language Arts)
- Community-Based Learning
- Social Skills
Dr. Khew adds: “Animals for YOUNG will be our 1st project in assisting special needs children. Moving on, we will be working on building an eco-tourism project using animals, whereby special needs people will have a place to work while having their needs intervened with our animals.”
For more press inquiries and information, please contact Dr. Khew at
drkhew@animalsforyoung.com or call 011-10140828.
Thank you.
