HER Royal Highness Princess Sophie, The Countess of Wessex, recently visited the Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei in Mata-Mata, accompanied by Xanthe Lindsay, the spouse of the British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam.
SMARTER Brunei President and CEO Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman and his spouse, Hajah Nipah binti Haji Moktal welcomed the Countess of Wessex before introducing her to members of the team.
Her Royal Highness toured the centre and witnessed first-hand the work SMARTER does for children with autism.
The Countess of Wessex visited the ‘womb space’ to observe students perform sensory processing activities; the Malar Setia classroom – where the Independent Living Skills Programme takes place; the Zumara Classroom to observe early development students; and spent time with the children in the Music and Movement Room to observe the Group Circle time activities. Her Royal Highness also watched children engage in ‘messy play’ and swimming activities, before visiting the Speech Training, Fine Motor and Mini Library Room.
The Countess of Wessex also enjoyed a performance staged by the students.
The Countess of Wessex has been a Royal Patron of the National Autistic Society (NAS) since August 2003. NAS is a leading UK charity organisation for autistic people (including those with Asperger syndrome) and their families.
The Countess of Wessex was in Brunei with the Earl of Wessex as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s representatives at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Accession to the Throne.
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