Gold Initiative Bridges Gap To Employment For Neurodivergent Adults

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- More than 200 neurodivergent adults have been placed in jobs to date through vocational training and structured workplace support provided by Generating Opportunities for Learning Disabilities (GOLD), highlighting the impact of inclusive employment pathways designed around individual strengths.

Its founder, Juairiah Johari, said GOLD, established in 1998, supports neurodivergent adults in preparing for employment and securing job placements, enabling them to move from isolation to active participation in society.

Juairiah, a special-needs educator with over two decades of experience in vocational training and employment support, said GOLD continues to expand pathways to confidence, dignity and purpose, while proving that inclusion is not charity, but access.

“These initiatives by GOLD include vocational training, with workshops and interactive sessions designed to boost confidence and independence.

“Family engagement sessions further assist, educate and involve families in the growth journey, while a dedicated team of professionals offers resources and encouragement at every step,” she said in a statement to Bernama today.

GOLD is a registered non-governmental organisation (NGO) and social enterprise that empowers neurodivergent adults, and is also a key Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partner of EDOTCO in Malaysia.

Juairiah said GOLD focuses on working-age adults aged 19 and above with neurodivergent conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Williams syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.

Meanwhile, GOLD volunteer Yusran Ahzam advocates group-based employment models that leverage the unique strengths of neurodivergent individuals.

He said neurodivergent individuals interpret things differently, which can sometimes be even better than neurotypical individuals because they have their own standard operating procedures (SOPs) in mind.

He said this philosophy underpins GOLD’s Kindness Kitchen programme, where participants work together in a restaurant setting, with each individual assigned specific roles and responsibilities.

“The programme demonstrates that when given the right guidance, neurodivergent individuals can excel in structured environments.

“Looking at the current Kindness Kitchen programme, they each have their own tasks, running like a usual restaurant, and they are all able to perform their roles very well,” he said.

Yusran said the pilot project requires an estimated RM250,000 to launch, with additional funding needed to expand the initiative. If successful, GOLD plans to replicate the group-based training model across other industries, tailoring programmes to the needs of partnering companies.

“Collaboration with local food and beverage (F&B) companies is a key component, as participants gain practical skills and exposure to real-world expectations, increasing their employability and confidence,” he said.

Looking ahead, Yusran said GOLD aims to expand employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals by leveraging their strengths in areas such as elderly care, to promote broader inclusion and sustainable employment.

Despite their unique strengths and abilities, neurodivergent individuals often face challenges securing employment due to a lack of societal awareness of how to interact with and communicate with them, Yusran said.

“They are just like us, but with a different way of thinking. This is also what we are most concerned about when helping them secure individual job placements, because even if a company agrees to hire them, its employees need to learn how to communicate effectively with them,” he said.

Yusran said many neurodivergent employees experience bullying and exclusion in the workplace due to a lack of understanding among colleagues, highlighting the need for supportive environments and ongoing education to ensure they are not only included but also empowered to thrive.

Recognising these challenges, EDOTCO has taken proactive steps to foster inclusion for these individuals.

Director of Corporate Affairs at EDOTCO Group, Noreen Sabrina, said, “EDOTCO started collaborating with GOLD because we understand hardship and the need for inclusion. By allowing our employees to attend Project Kindness Kitchen, we can collectively learn how to interact with and communicate with the neurodivergent community.

“This prepares our team to recruit neurodivergent individuals in the company in the near future,” she said.

-- BERNAMA