The road ahead is wide open. Every child grows up. Every young adult deserves a future full of purpose, possibility and belonging.
Under the theme Future Ready: Equipping the Path to Adult Independence, we’re gathering parents, educators, professionals and neurodivergent adults for one bright Saturday of hope, tools and community — and for a shared, forward-looking answer to the question every parent eventually asks.
“What does the road to adulthood actually look like?”
Join Us at the timMy Conference
Got an idea for a business, service, or social enterprise in the autism and special needs space? Before you build it, pressure-test it. Most ventures fail not because founders can’t execute or run out of money — but because they build something nobody wants. In this laid-back, real-and-raw session, Azlan Tahir (co-founder of Spectrum, ESA & Unity Communities, with over 40 years of business experience across industries) helps you find out if you’re solving the right problem.
What if everything you assume about independence is only half the picture? Co-facilitated by two autistic adults — Dr Chai Jing Yun, a scientist and self-advocate in clinical research, and Dr Cheah Boon Eu, a medical professional who has worked with children with disabilities for 15 years — this workshop reveals how two people with the same diagnosis can have completely different inner worlds, ways of communicating, and paths to independence. Through contrast storytelling and guided reflection, you’ll look beyond observable behaviour to the hidden layers of emotional processing, decision-making, and the unspoken “hidden curriculum” of adulthood.
Who will provide for your child when you no longer can? It’s the question every special needs parent carries — and this workshop helps you answer it with a plan. Katherine Ho, PPN, CFP™, Certified Financial Planner and Legacy & Trust Advisor (and mother of a neurodivergent young adult son), walks you through actionable strategies for financial security, wealth preservation, and legacy distribution for your neurodivergent loved one. In a supportive and caring environment, you’ll leave with greater clarity, confidence, an action plan, and a roadmap for building a secure long-term financial future.
Meltdowns aren’t misbehaviour — they’re emotional tidal waves, and they can be navigated together. Ms Nicole, a final-year PhD student at the University of Nottingham Malaysia whose research focuses on emotion dysregulation in autistic children, unpacks the science and lived experience behind big feelings: what triggers them, how they show up in behaviour, and why they’re so often misunderstood. You’ll leave with practical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies for autistic individuals and parents to co-regulate, build resilience, and gently ride out the waves together.
Individuals with special needs face a higher risk of mental health struggles — but knowing what to do about it doesn’t have to be complicated. Led by Dr Jill Ho, a medical doctor with close to 20 years of experience and Field Coordinator of Life Inspired Network Society (LINetS), a Malaysian NGO focused on suicide prevention, this workshop covers practical self-care strategies you can start using right away. You’ll also learn to recognise the warning signs that mental health needs professional attention — including signs of depression and suicidal behaviour — and exactly who and where to turn to for help. A session for anyone who wants to care better for themselves or someone they love.
What does it really take for a neurodivergent person to find — and keep — meaningful work? Grace Gan, Enabling Academy Manager at Yayasan Gamuda and a Job Coach with 15 years of experience, introduces the Employment Transition Programme that prepares neurodivergent individuals for sustainable employment. Through real-life examples and case studies, you’ll gain insight into the common challenges, practical strategies, and success factors across the entire employment journey. Suitable for neurodivergent individuals, parents, educators, and professionals supporting employment transition.
Neurodivergent individuals have boundless potential — including the potential to lead. Linus Teh, a PhD candidate at the University of Nottingham Malaysia who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (now Autism Level 1) as a child, shares first-hand how different leaders invested in him: teaching him to work with others and eventually take up leadership himself, including leading the music ministry at his church. In this workshop, you’ll experience his unique perspective on leadership and learn how effective engagement can unveil and develop the strengths of the neurodivergent people around you — as team players, and as leaders.
Often avoided, always essential — sexual health education is one of the most important yet least discussed topics for the neurodivergent community. In this interactive workshop (limited to 15 participants), Ms Peggy Lam and Ms Melissa Lim, Clinical Psychologist at Bridging Hope, cover why sexual health education matters, its key topics, using the circle of friendship as a practical tool, and staying safe on the internet and social media — all grounded in case studies and hands-on discussion, with time for Q&A. Suitable for neurodivergent individuals, parents, caregivers, and educators seeking practical guidance on this vital topic.
Pick Your Workshops, Save Your Seat
The Community Marketplace
Explore booths from organizations, service providers, and social enterprises supporting the neurodivergent community — discover resources, connect with services, and shop products with purpose, all under one roof.
Got Questions?
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Just yourself, in something comfortable! A notebook and pen are handy for jotting down notes and ideas, and a water bottle to stay hydrated. And feel free to bring a friend — just make sure they register too.
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To keep the conference as affordable as possible, lunch isn’t provided — but being in The Summit USJ, you’ll have plenty of eateries just an escalator ride away. We’ve allocated generous lunch time in the schedule so you can eat, rest, and network with other participants.
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Yes! All participants will receive a certificate of participation.
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Parents, teachers, therapists, relatives, students in special education — if you care about someone neurodivergent or work with the community, this conference is for you. Come to learn, be encouraged, and be inspired.
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You’ll select your workshops during registration. Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis — so register early to secure your top picks!
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Yes, children are welcome! Kids under 12 attend free, while teens aged 13–17 need to be registered as participants. Please keep your child under your supervision at all times — we’ve prepared a calm room your child can use, though do note we won’t be providing childcare services.
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Plenty! The conference is held at DREAM Village Community Centre, Level 4, The Summit USJ — a mall with convenient parking.
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Registration opens at 8.30am. Come early — we’ll be starting right on time!
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All registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable, so do check your availability before signing up. We’d love to see you there!
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