Visit to National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) Centre in Butterworth, Penang 2nd July 2025

We, the supervisors Assoc. Professor Dr. Rabeta Mohd Salleh, Ts. Dr. Syamimi Shamsuddin and research students Hendi Talal Mostafa A and Tahira Riaz from the Advance Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI), USM would like to extend our sincere thanks for the opportunity to conduct a visit to the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM). This visit is in conjunction with our research project titled:The Impact of a 3D Book Using Bibliotherapy to Enhance Nutrition Knowledge, Awareness, Diet Quality and Physical Activity Among Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Their Caregivers.

Photo By Rabeta Binti Mohd Salleh
Cenderahati IPPT kepada NASOM disampaikan oleh Dr. Syamimi Shamsuddin

The objectives of this visit are to:               

1. The aim of this study is to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of a multisensory 3D nutrition pop-up book in improving nutrition knowledge, diet quality, and physical activity among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their caregivers, prior to its use in an intervention study at Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI).

2. The program is designed for children aged 7 to 12 years with mild-to-moderate ASD who are physically healthy and have no language impairments, along with their caregivers.

3. Participants must be enrolled at NASOM Butterworth and accompanied by a consenting caregiver. A total of approximately 18 children, along with their caregivers, will be recruited.

4. The assessment tools used include a set of questionnaires consisting of two parts. Part A is a demographic questionnaire, and Part B evaluates acceptance and engagement with the bibliotherapy intervention using a 3D book.


5. We also brought the research information sheet and consent form. Ethical approval was obtained from the USM Human Research Ethics Committee (JEPeM), with the study protocol code USM/JEPeM/PP/24070584.

6. Foster academic collaboration between NASOM and Universiti Sains Malaysia to ensure that the research outcomes are relevant, inclusive, and impactful for the ASD population.

Photo By Syamimi Shamsuddin
Penyelidik utama Prof. Madya Dr. Rabeta Mohd Salleh bersama 2 pelajar Msc Tahira Riaz dan Talal Hendi