During 30 January-1 February 2014, a team from the Rainbow Room in Thailand visited Myanmar to share experiences with Myanmar Autism Association in how to care for and support children with special needs so that they can realize their full potentials, and discuss possible cooperation.

     The Rainbow Room is a non-profit special needs awareness centre.  It was created by parents, families and friends of individuals with developmental and behavioral special needs, including Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and other genetic challenges. They work to raise positive awareness through sharing of information, experiences, encouragement and empowerment, using “Parent-to-Parent” model, with the ultimate goal to inspire better opportunity through community acceptance and have children grow up with independence, confidence and pride in the individual differences. 

     The Rainbow Room team visited Myanmar Autism Association, Disable School under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, New World Training Center, Myanmar International School of Yangon, and Light House Learning Center, to learn about their activities and discuss potential cooperation.

     The last part of the visit was the session on Autism Experience Sharing and Discussion on 1 February 2014 at the Embassy. The session focused on autism challenges in Thai Society, current developments of autism awareness, and the Rainbow Room’s activities in response to existing challenges, and was attended by over 100 interested physicians, clinical practitioners, psychiatrists, social workers, educators, and parents. The participants were much interested to learn from the experiences of the Rainbow Room. They stayed throughout the 3-hour session and were eager to ask questions. 

     H.E. Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar, stressed in his speech that Thailand would continue to support this collaboration for the benefit of Myanmar children with special needs who were the future of the country. He highlighted that only with love, understanding, and joint efforts of all the people involved would make this initiative successful and sustainable.    

This visit is the first time that has brought the two organizations together, made possible by the initiative of the Royal Thai Embassy, and with the support of Nok Air, Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon, and KPMG.