Holding On and Reaching Out: What COVID-19 Taught Older Malaysians About Connection and Control

When Everyday Routines Turned Risky for Older Adults in the Klang Valley When the pandemic hit, everyday routines—buying vegetables at the wet market, morning tai chi at the park, Friday prayers, weekend visits from grandkids—suddenly felt risky. For older adults in Malaysia’s Greater Klang Valley, these changes weren’t just inconvenient; they reshaped how people felt, […]
Bridging the Communication Gap: Understanding Rapport in Mixed Neurotype Interactions

Introduction Imagine attending a lively dinner party with friends and strangers, and while you’re engaging in conversation, you find yourself wondering why you connect effortlessly with some people but struggle with others. Communication is a dance of words, gestures, and emotions, often influenced by underlying factors we may not immediately recognize. One such factor is […]
Bridging the Worlds: Visual Communication in Autistic and Non-Autistic Interactions

Introduction Imagine trying to solve a complex puzzle alongside someone you’re meeting for the first time. Now, inject an added layer of challenge: you both have different brain wiring, influencing how you perceive and process the puzzle’s pieces and each other’s cues. This vivid scenario isn’t just an exercise in patience—it’s at the heart of […]
Charting the Unseen Threads: How Online Hate Speech and Misinformation Weave Through Mental Health

Introduction: The Social Media Conundrum We’re living in an era where our lives are knitted together by bytes and pixels, with social media acting as a tapestry of modern communication. But along with bringing us closer, social platforms have also paved the way for darker narratives—online hate speech and misinformation. These digital threads are more […]
Unveiling the Unspoken: Navigating Nonverbal Communication in the World of Autistic Adults

Introduction: The Silent Symphony of Human Interaction Imagine walking into a room full of people chatting animatedly, yet all the words seem scrambled, lost in a cacophony of silent gestures and facial expressions. For many autistic adults, this underlying layer of human interaction can feel like a perpetual puzzle. Nonverbal communication—those subtle eye movements, the […]
Paving New Roads: A Driving Training Program for Autistic Student Drivers

## Introduction Imagine the sense of freedom and independence you felt when you first took the wheel of a car, navigating your surroundings with a newfound sense of autonomy. For many, learning to drive is a key milestone in achieving personal independence. Yet, for autistic individuals, this rite of passage can be fraught with unique […]
Unraveling the Social Media Trap: How Platforms Affect Our Beliefs and Behaviors

Introduction: The Internet’s Allure and Its Invisible Pull Imagine scrolling through your YouTube feed one evening and stumbling upon a captivating video titled, “Why the World Isn’t What You Think It Is.” As you click and watch, a chain reaction is set off; one video leads to another, each more intriguing and persuasive than the […]
Surviving the PhD Grind: The Lifeline of Peer Support

Introduction: A Journey Fraught with Challenges For many, pursuing a PhD is an exhilarating dream that signifies crossing the academic Rubicon into uncharted waters. Yet, behind the veil of scholarly pursuit, there lurk the shadows of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and isolation. As doctoral students navigate these intense seas, they often face a paradox: despite being […]
Embracing Kindness: How Self-Compassion Shields Us from Social Media’s Storm

Introduction: The Mirror of Society or a Distorted Reflection? Picture this: You’re scrolling through your favorite social media app and stumble upon yet another perfectly filtered photo of a friend who seems to be living the dream life. Suddenly, your own life feels a bit smaller, a tad less glamorous. It’s a situation many of […]
Walking Towards Wellness: Mindful Steps for COVID-19 Long Haulers

Introduction Imagine trudging a seemingly endless, uphill path only to find that the views along the way are clouded by struggles—persistent tiredness, foggy concentration, and emotional turmoil. This is the daily journey for many COVID-19 long haulers, individuals who continue to experience symptoms long after their initial recovery from the virus. These enduring challenges often […]