TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After the Asian Para Games, the ASEAN Autism Games (AAG) is taking place today at the Soemantri Brodjonegoro sports center, South Jakarta. The event, which is the main activity of the 4th ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) Congress, will be held until tomorrow, Oct. 21.

The ASEAN Autism Games consists of running and swimming competitions participated by around 220 individual participants with the autism spectrum. Of the 220 participants, 180 participants are from Indonesia and 40 participants are from the member countries of the ASEAN Autism Network.

Chairman of the Autism Indonesia Foundation, Melly Budhiman said ASEAN Autism Games was initiated by the participants of the ASEAN Autism Network Congress. They are the parents who have children with autism spectrum that planned to create fun activities for the children. “Sports is one of the most likely ways to create activities involving children,” she said.

Melly Budhiman explained that running and swimming competitions were chosen because everyone could do it and many children with autism spectrum like swimming. “Therefore, only two sports for now. In the future, it is possible to compete in other sports such as bowling and fencing,” she added.

In the ASEAN Autism Games, there will also be a Dodge Bee exhibition, a game from Japan that is demonstrated by experts from Japan. There are also traditional games that can be played by individuals with the autism spectrum.

Rini Kustiani