Our Story
Our journey began long before the establishment of Yayasan Pendidikan INSANI. In 2012, Fakhri, a father determined to find affordable and consistent therapy for his autistic son, Nouri, faced an uphill battle. At the time, Nouri could only access a 45-minute therapy session once a month at Hospital Selayang, while he actually needed sessions several times a week. As Fakhri delved deeper into the issue, he found this wasn’t just his struggle—countless families were grappling with the same limitations. Driven by the urgent need for better access to autism support, he joined forces with his childhood friend Al-Mustaqeem. Together, and with the backing of friends, family, and a local policy think tank, they set out to create a space that could offer quality, affordable care, therapy, and education for children with autism.
By 2019, this vision grew into Yayasan Pendidikan INSANI, an officially registered foundation committed to extending high-quality, low-cost autism services to children and families, especially those from underserved backgrounds. INSANI didn’t stop at one centre; with a growing community and a dedicated team, the foundation has since expanded its reach, helping to establish multiple centres that offer specialised programs tailored to children’s needs. However, due to funding limitations and the covid-pandemic, most of the centres had to be closed down.
Today, Yayasan Pendidikan INSANI continues to evolve, with the added aim of advancing policy research and advocacy to improve support services for individuals with autism across Malaysia. From our beginnings as a small centre, we have grown into a foundation dedicated to shaping a better future for children with autism, their families, and the communities around them.
Mission
Our mission is to provide high-quality education, therapy, and long-term care for children and teenagers with autism, particularly those from low-income families. We aim to build sustainable autism centers and promote research and awareness of autism in Malaysia and beyond.
Vision
To create a future where every child with autism, regardless of their economic background, has access to the resources and care they need to live a fulfilling and independent life.
Our Advisory Board
Dr. Ramli Mohd Ali
Psychiatric Consultant, Kuala Lumpur Women & Children’s Hospital
Datin Dr. Hjh Fauzi Binti Ismail
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Consultant
Nurul Huda Ahmad Kasani
Occupational Therapist
Mohd Fakhri Nor Affandi
Manager, Akademi Autisme INSANI
Our Board of Trustees
Dr. Akmal Khuzairy Abdul Rahman
Prof. Madya, Jabatan Bahasa Arab, Fakulti Ilmu Wahyu dan Sains Kemanusiaan, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIAM)
Al-Mustaqeem Mahmod Radhi
Editor-in-Chief at Inisiatif Buku Darul Ehsan
Mohd Farhan Nor Affandi
Executive Director, IBDE Sdn. Bhd
Our Board of Directors
Al-Mustaqeem Mahmod Radhi
Editor-in-Chief at Inisiatif Buku Darul Ehsan
Mohd Farhan Nor Affandi
Executive Director, IBDE Sdn. Bhd
Mohd Fakhri Nor Affandi
Manager, Akademi Autisme INSANI
The Team
We are proud of our dedicated team of specialists and staff who work tirelessly to support the children in our care:
Lenny Marnis Binti Che Omar
Lenny holds a Special Education Certificate focusing on autism. With experience as a clinic assistant at Klinik Julia, a teacher at the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), and a teacher aide at Sekolah Kebangsaan Setapak, she has dedicated herself to autism care for over 11 years now.
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Lenny joined Akademi Autisme INSANI in November of 2013 and has completed several specialised courses and workshops including Sensory Modulation and Practical Strategies in Teaching Children with Autism by Universiti Malaya. She also participated in the International Seminar on Autism hosted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and workshops on managing children’s behaviour and improving communication skills. She is currently an Intervention Officer at AAI.
Her journey into this field began with the challenges she encountered while working at NASOM, which deepened her interest and commitment. She believes every child with autism is unique and has taught her the values of patience and gratitude. Lenny’s greatest joy is seeing positive changes in her students through the strategies and lessons she implements.
Nurul Edia Binti Azhar
Nurul Edia holds a Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). She has previous experience as an English tutor and program manager at PTPL Shah Alam and as a tutor at Pusat Tuisyen Kanak-Kanak Cerdik.
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Having joined Akademi Autisme INSANI in March 2014, Nurul Edia serves as an Intervention Officer. Over her 10 years with the organisation, she has attended various workshops focusing on behaviour management and improving communication skills of children with autism including Behaviour Management for Children with Autism, Parent and Teacher Roles in Autism Care, and Strategies for Handling Social Interaction and Communication Challenges.
Her motivation to work with children with autism stems from a desire to grow personally and professionally, while spreading awareness about autism to the community. For Nurul Edia, the most rewarding aspect of her job is hearing positive feedback from parents about the progress that their children make.
Soraya Binti Mansur
Soraya holds a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and she began career began as a promoter for Cheetah Men and as a sales assistant at AEON Rawang. She joined Akademi Autisme INSANI in February 2018 and now works as an Intervention Officer.
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Soraya has actively participated in workshops over the 6 years she has been with us, including Reading and Writing Skills for Children with Autism, Parent and Teacher Roles in Autism Care, and Behavior Management Techniques. These sessions have equipped her with practical tools for working with children on the spectrum.
Soraya enjoys working with children and finds fulfillment in helping them master new skills. Her goal is to continue growing in this field and contributing to the children’s learning journey.
Zulaika Binti Mohd Badrus
Zulaika holds a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Before joining Akademi Autisme INSANI, she worked as a production operator at Texas Instruments and as a childcare assistant at Taska Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia.
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Since joining AAI in February 2022, Zulaika has served as an Intervention Officer. She has attended various specialised workshops, such as Behavior Management for Children with Autism, Handling Emotional and Social Challenges, and Strategies for Managing Tantrums. These workshops have enhanced her skills and provided practical insights for her role.
Zulaika chose to work with children with autism to gain hands-on experience and develop her understanding of their unique needs. She appreciates the personal growth she achieves by managing challenging situations, such as tantrums, and feels motivated by the progress she sees in the children she works with.
Noon Fazilah Binti Mohamad Isa Rajan
Noon Fazilah holds a Diploma in Early Education and her background includes experience as an assistant teacher at Tadika Al-Baghdadi and as a teacher at Tadika Auza. She began her role at INSANI in February 2024, working as an Intervention Officer.
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Although she joined INSANI in February 2024, Noon Fazilah has already participated in relevant workshops such as Reading and Writing Skills for Children with Autism. These sessions have given her a deeper understanding of effective teaching techniques and strategies.
As an Intervention Officer, she enjoys working closely with children with autism, finding fulfillment in their day-to-day progress. For Noon Fazilah, every small improvement inspires her to continue learning and raise awareness within the community, ensuring children with autism receive the support they need.
Amenurul ‘Ain Binti Mohammad Saim
Amenurul holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) in Business Economics. Before joining Akademi Autisme INSANI and Yayasan Pendidikan INSANI, she gained experience as an account and management executive and completed her practical training at the Malaysian Marine Department.
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She began her journey here in June 2023, where she currently serves as an Account and Management Executive. Over the course of nearly two years, Amenurul has also attended several workshops, including a course on managing sexual behaviour in teenagers with autism, a workshop by Lembaga Zakat Selangor on the role of employers in zakat and tax, and a briefing on the Asnaf Care Medical System by MAIWP.
Amenurul chose to work at INSANI to expand her expertise in financial management while gaining a deeper understanding of children with autism. She is passionate about spreading awareness and contributing positively to the community.
Our Approach
At Yayasan Pendidikan Insani, we use evidence-based early intervention methods to help children with autism develop vital skills. Our core programs include:
- Early Intervention Program (EIP): This program focuses on improving communication, social skills, and daily living abilities through speech and occupational therapies.
- Behavioral Therapy: We utilize structured techniques to help children manage behaviors and adapt to their environments.
- Pre-Vocational Training: For older children and teenagers, we offer skills training to prepare them for future employment and independent living.
- Parental Support: We involve parents in the therapeutic process through regular workshops and counseling, ensuring continuity of care at home.
Testimonials
Christine Chay, Mother of 12-year old Jia Yit.
Yayasan Pendidikan Insani has been a blessing for my son. The therapy sessions have helped him communicate better and handle social situations with more confidence.
Dr. Hamid Arshat, Parent and Supporter.
The staff at Insani are incredibly supportive, not just to the children but to the parents as well. The guidance we receive has made a world of difference in managing our daily lives.