Community-based rehabilitation: project S.H.I.N.E at PPDK Puncak Alam

Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) plays a crucial role in ensuring that rehabilitation services are accessible beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics. As part of our curriculum, the Master of Rehabilitation Medicine trainees at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) initiated Project S.H.I.N.E. (Supporting Hope, Innovation, Nurturing, and COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION: PROJECT S.H.I.N.E AT PPDK PUNCAK ALAM TRAINING session with caregivers and students. SITE visit to PPDK Puncak Alam. Empowerment). This initiative was designed to enhance rehabilitation efforts at Persatuan Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PPDK) Puncak Alam. PPDK Puncak Alam caters to individuals with disabilities, particularly children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Many of these children experience sensory processing difficulties that affect their ability to engage in learning and daily activities. Despite the dedication of PPDK teachers, there was a need for a structured sensory integration therapy intervention. Project S.H.I.N.E. also aimed to foster a streamlined approach that empowers caregivers to implement these interventions independently. The project was executed through a carefully planned multi-phase approach. Initial site visits to PPDK Puncak Alam provided valuable insights into the specific challenges faced by teachers. The development of the Sensory Integration Therapy Module was guided by literature reviews and the expertise of occupational therapist Puan Aisyah Amirah from Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah (HASA).