“Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.”

– International Women’s Day 2022

The theme for International Women’s Day 2022, #BreakTheBias, puts forth the aspiration for a world that embraces diversity and pushes for equality. This is in line with EAP’s wish of an inclusive world, where people, no matter their gender, looks, background, or abilities, are treated equally. In conjunction with International Women’s Day, we would like to celebrate all women of the EAP team, for their selfless contribution that continuously makes a difference in the lives of our kiddos. 

On this special day, we would like to feature three incredible role models of the EAP team, specialists Neesha, Atiqa and Qi Rui!

Neeshallini Kaleappan

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Neeshallini Kaleappan and I’ve been working in the field of autism for almost 6 years now. Currently, I’m doing my masters in Cognitive Neuroscience and my research topic focuses on emotional recognition and mindfulness exercise. In the future, I hope to help those on the spectrum to recognise emotions better through my study’s findings.

2. As a specialist in EAP Malaysia, what does your role entail? How did it change over the years?

Like most of us here at EAP, I first started my journey as an ABA therapist before I was given the opportunity to run social skills group classes and EAP school as a core team member in my second year of working. Now as a specialist who is undergoing training to become a junior supervisor, I continue to grow in this field clinically with more confidence and trust in myself, given all the experience I have gained along the years. 

My role at EAP involved different departments such as events, intake, hiring, scheduling and training. I have gained the knowledge and experience with the experts in these departments and all of that has made me who I am today, thanks to their guidance and support.

3. What inspired you to work with children with autism? What kept you going?

At the start I was very curious about what autism is because my niece was diagnosed with it. I wanted to help her but didn’t know how so I did my internship at a NGO back in Sarawak and was lucky enough to work with a BCBA Supervisor who made me see how ABA can help those on the spectrum. 

I applied to EAP Malaysia after doing some research on ABA centres at Peninsular Malaysia, also with the recommendation from my supervisor. I learned a lot in my first year and have always been amazed by how much our kiddos can do when things are being taught to them in the way they will learn better. What actually keeps me going is the realisation and satisfaction that I have made a change in someone’s life. Even though it’s a small change, I always believe it’s a good start to something bigger.

4. Working with individuals with autism can be both mentally and physically demanding, what do you do to fill your tank and ensure a healthy work-life balance?

A few important things that keeps my tank filled is looking back at my kiddos’ progress, my support system, clinic team, my family and of course my “me time”. 

The progress of my kiddos, of one that I worked with who went to toilet without any major issue on his Big Day, to another boy who performed on a stage successfully after breaking his anxiety of others cheering for him, the list can go on and on about how blessed I am to be a part of the journey of all my kiddos who were the young fighters. 

My support system at EAP has always been there for me when things get tough without me telling or asking for help. All I need is a good meal with desserts and a catch up time with them.  

The clinic team has also played an important part. The input sessions and the trust given to me has helped me learn essential life lessons that has encouraged me to keep going and guided me to come to terms with the fact that to gain something, you must endure pain. 

My family has also been supportive when I really needed it. They have helped me spread awareness on autism by understanding what I do and why it matters. They try their best to encourage me during my bad days and that definitely helped fill my tank up.

I do need my “me time”, and the things I usually do are visiting temples, reading books, listening to good songs and podcasts, watching movies and travelling solo by train.

5. Who are the women you look up to in life?

I look up to my grandmother, who was a single mother of 7 children when she was only in her thirties. 

She made sure she gave her best in bringing up all her children with all that she had, without giving up on them when things got rough for her financially.

She was always the loving and caring person not just to anyone she meets but also to the animals she came across. She was spiritually very strong and a healthy vegetarian woman. 

Even though she is no more with us today, she has inspired me to be kind to others without any expectations or judgement.

6. Can you share a quote that has inspired you?

The Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

7. Why is it important to celebrate IWD?

To encourage all the women out there, to never stop spreading their wings to fly higher with the strength and kindness they carry within them. 

Women are often portrayed as a giver and by celebrating IWD, a woman should take time to recognize their ability and capacity as a daughter, sister, mother, colleague and most importantly as a lady herself, by acknowledging their strength and their inner beauty.

8. Break the bias: what are the biases that you have encountered as a working woman?

Encountered: Having a female leader can be tough

Not all female bosses are the same. The leaders I have worked with have never failed to impress me on the ways they juggle their work and family at the same time. They are organised and structured in the things they do and that makes work easier for me. Especially during the pandemic, the female leaders I worked with managed it very well whilst keeping everything checked and made sure nothing was taken for granted.

9. What are the changes that you wish to see in the future that would #BreakTheBias?

Women have the potential to bring out the best in anything they are passionate about from being a homemaker in their respective homes to an astronaut who is able to travel to outer space. Gender, age or position should never be the determining factor for personal and professional growth. 

Nothing should be stopping anyone from pursuing what they want when they have their full heart on it.  A woman should always be independent and have the courage to stand for themselves in achieving their fullest potential.

10. What advice would you offer to women intending to pursue this field?

Follow your heart and passion by having the grit to fight for the changes you want to bring in the society. Awareness can bring people together to be the voice for those on the spectrum and their family. Spreading awareness is important and anyone can do it if they choose to, but working with those on the spectrum is a gift and not everyone is lucky to experience it. If you have the heart to help those on the spectrum who need your hand, go for it! You will be surprised to see how much your actions have helped not just them but yourself as a person. I strongly believe in the phrase “autism is not a disability, it’s a different ability”, you should too! 🙂

Atiqa Nasution

1. Tell us about yourself.

Hi, my name is Atiqa and I’m working as a Specialist at EAP Malaysia. I graduated with a Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons.) Public Relations from Universiti Teknologi Mara.

2. As a specialist at EAP Malaysia, what does your role entail? How did it change over the years?

I started as a behavioural therapist, and I carry out day-to-day therapy sessions. From there, my role developed to include coaching and supporting new therapists as well as assisting supervisors in leading the team. Concurrently, I’m part of EAP’s non-profit initiative, The Hope Project, where I have been involved in doing translations for the website and training teachers from PDK. Currently we are conducting teacher-trainings for NASOM.

3. What inspired you to work with children with autism? What kept you going?

In 2015, as a part of my final year project, my class was given the opportunity to raise funds for an autism centre in Melaka. Frankly, that was the first time I heard of the word “autism.” For the project, I met individuals on the spectrum with distinct characteristics during on-site visits and this experience piqued my interest in the field so after I graduated, I looked for jobs in similar areas. To have the opportunity to work with these individuals at EAP, and to be a part of their progress gives me a sense of fulfilment. I cannot imagine doing anything else.

4. Working with individuals with autism can be both mentally and physically demanding, what do you do to fill your tank and ensure a healthy work-life balance?

I do not deny the tolls on therapists working with these individuals, especially when working with individuals with challenging behaviours. This is why it is important to have a good support system and to be able to recognize that at times, I need to reach out for that support. It is also important to always remind myself of the “WHY” I am doing this in the first place, and I am truly grateful for the amazing team, friends and family members who always have my back.

To ensure a healthy work-life balance, I leave my work at work. When I am home, I focus on myself and my family. I indulge in hobbies like reading and cooking and I make sure that I have sufficient rest.

5. Who are the women you look up to in life?

The first woman I look up to is my mom. She is a full-time housewife who has six children. Growing up, my dad was always working abroad. So, she was actively involved in our lives from the times when we were young, and I appreciate her patience and commitment in making me and my siblings who we are today.

I also look up to other moms, especially those who are gifted with special children. I believe mothers are gifted with superpowers, regardless whether they are working moms or a full-time housewife. All of them have admirable traits, especially in regard to their patience, dedication and hard work in nurturing their children and raising them as their own persons, all while facing the cruel remarks placed upon their children and their credibility as a parent. Taking this opportunity, society should stop and break the stigmas placed upon individuals with disabilities especially those who are on the autism spectrum. We should learn to accept them for who they are because they do not choose to be born the way they are and even so, they are wonderful individuals just for being themselves.

6. Can you share a quote that has inspired you?

The one quote that I hold close to my heart is “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending” – C.S. Lewis

7. Why is it important to celebrate IWD?

To me, the importance of celebrating IWD is to, of course, celebrate all the women for their hard work and their powerful voices in standing up for our rights in this world. IWD is also a chance for us to acknowledge all those who come before us. Our ancestors, who lived through an era of oppression by men who denied their voices, and rights especially in education. This day is to celebrate them for their bravery and strengths.

8. Break the bias: What are the biases that you have encountered as a working woman?

I have never been at the receiving end of these bias and/or encounters but I have heard from friends and families that there is this stigma around women where regardless of how accomplished they are academically or career wise, a woman’s place is in the kitchen. People concurring with this stigma fail to comprehend that a woman’s place is indeed in the kitchen but her level of accomplishments will determine how big her kitchen is.

9. What are the changes you wish to see in the future that would #BreakTheBias?

I wish that society would out-grow this stigma on women. Men or women, we are individuals with individual needs and what an individual needs is to be accorded the respect of her personal needs and spaces, without being judged by their society.

10. What advice would you offer to women intending to pursue this field?

To grow in this field, you have to be passionate about it. If the passion is not there, it would be easy to give up and leave. It is also important for you to be realistic and compassionate as well because this is a field where you deal with individuals with special needs.  There is no denying that the work is consistently challenging and it can demand a lot out of a person. However, the ultimate goal is knowing that you are positively contributing to improve their quality of life and playing an active part in those journeys, there cannot be a greater reward than this. 

Yap Qi Rui

1. Tell us about yourself.

My name is Qi Rui and I’ve been working at EAP for over 3 years. I have a degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Psychology.

2. As a specialist at EAP Malaysia, what does your role entail? How did it change over the years?

My role entails having 1:1 sessions with the children and helping to target their learning priorities. I’m also involved with various departments and have other responsibilities such as assessments, and events.

3. What inspired you to work with children with autism? What kept you going?

I’ve always liked to make a difference in my community. It brings me a lot of satisfaction knowing that what I do makes a difference in the lives of others. Seeing the children progress and improve their skills encourages me and makes me feel that all the effort is worth it.

4. Working with individuals with autism can be both mentally and physically demanding, what do you do to fill your tank and ensure a healthy work-life balance?

Working out and dancing are my mantra! Sweating out always energises me no matter how tiring my day gets. On top of that, I have a habit of planning my week ahead on Sundays and this really helps to organise my work and personal plans. 

5. Who are the women you look up to in life?

I’ve always been inspired by women who are strong and independent. In this case, my grandma and mother are two women I look up to the most. Watching these two superwomen juggling between work and taking care of the family since I was little inspired me to be just like them!

6. Can you share a quote that has inspired you?

“Seek discomfort.” A short but sweet quote that I’ve been reiterating to myself since the MCO began in 2020. As a person whose life satisfaction is largely satiated by adventures, I constantly seek out new stimuli wherever I go. I believe that seeking discomfort is one of the greatest ways to unleash our best potential. This also applies to work where I always try to go beyond my comfortable bubble. 

7. Why is it important to celebrate IWD?

I think that IWD is important because the achievements of women have been underrepresented throughout history. I think it’s good that IWD helps to shed light on the progress we have made, and to highlight women who are accomplishing great things worldwide.

8. Break the bias: What are the biases that you have encountered as a working woman?

Some older relatives have questioned why I studied and worked so hard as they may feel that women do not need to devote themselves to their careers like how men do. 

9. What are the changes you wish to see in the future that would #BreakTheBias?

I think it’s important for the current generation and the next generation to get educated. There is still a lot of sexism and people who want to restrict the freedom of women. I believe that once people are taught to be more open-minded, and learn more about other people, this might change. 

10. What advice would you offer to women intending to pursue this field?

Have a lot of patience, not just for the kids but also for yourself as this is indeed a challenging field with lots to learn. Take the time to learn from and process the mistakes made. Be sure to keep your work organised as there will be a lot of things to keep track of and you don’t want to get overwhelmed.

References

International Women’s Day 2022: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/