Events & Symposia
Convening Champions • Transforming Knowledge into Action • Shaping the Future
KMA x SOE SEN Symposium 2026
Pathways to Neurodivergent Independence
What Happens When School Ends?
For many families raising neurodivergent children, the transition following the school years can feel like an uncharted road.
- Where will my child work?
- Can they live more independently?
- What skills are essential to navigate adult life?
- How do we prepare financially and legally for their future?
- What happens when parents and primary caregivers are no longer around?
Now in its sixth year, the KMA Special Education Needs (SEN) Symposium has evolved into a premier national platform uniting changemakers across disability advocacy, the care economy, and inclusive education. In 2026, our collaborative partnership between KKJF and Sunway University’s School of Education directly bridges academic research, frontline pedagogy, and grassroots community action to address these pivotal life questions.
Three Core Focus Pillars
Interconnected dimensions essential for sustainable adult transitions.
Vocational Readiness
Equipping neurodivergent individuals with practical skills, sheltered workshop training, supported employment pathways, and meaningful workplace integration.
Guardian Competency
Empowering parents, family members, and caregivers with the knowledge, resilience, and strategic frameworks needed to confidently navigate post-school transitions.
Social Dignity
Moving beyond mere caretaking toward fostering autonomous lives characterized by personal choice, civic participation, peer belonging, and enduring self-respect.
Program Schedule
Two immersive days spanning expert plenaries, knowledge forums, live podcasts, and hands-on masterclasses.
The Conversation
Saturday, 21 November 2026 • Redefining genuine independence across the spectrum
| Time | Program & Session Details |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Registration and arrival of guests |
| 9:00 AM |
Official Opening Ceremony & Speeches
|
| 10:10 AM |
Keynote Address
"When School Ends, Life Begins: The Adulthood Gap in Special Needs, A Journey to Independence" Delivered by Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President & Vice Chancellor, Sunway University |
| 10:30 AM | Coffee Break |
| 11:00 AM |
Forum 1: Living Beyond 18: A Personal Journey to Independence
Moderator: Mr Ivan Oh, Past Governor, Kiwanis Malaysia
Panelists:
|
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM |
Forum 2: Best Practices for Adulthood Programmes
Moderator: Dr Drew B Mallory, Professor of Management & Organization, Research Director, Neurodiversity at Work Research Centre, Sasin School of Management, Chulalongkorn University
Panelists:
|
| 2:00 PM |
Forum 3: Skills for Life - Supporting Employment & Independent Living
Moderator: Madam Catherine Kang P.J.K., President Kiwanis Club of Penang Central
Panelists:
|
| 3:00 PM | Coffee Break |
| 3:30 PM |
Live Podcast by Kita Family Podcast
"Beyond Survival: Preparing Neurodivergent Individuals for Secure, Dignified & Independent Adulthood"
Podcasters & Discussants:
|
| 4:30 PM |
Closing Remarks for Day 1
Delivered by Dato’ Fatimah Saad, Chairman of Kiwanis Malaysia Academy |
| 5:00 PM | Day 1 Ends |
From Conversation to Action
Sunday, 22 November 2026 • Intensive, hands-on masterclasses building tangible competencies
| Time | Program & Masterclass Tracks |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Registration and arrival of participants |
| 9:30 AM |
Track 1: Workshop on Vocational Readiness
Trainer: Ms Jo-Ann Chow from EmployAble
Track 2: Workshop on Guardian Competency
Trainer: Madam Jamilah Binti Kadir, Adjunct Professor, School of Education, Sunway University
|
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00 PM |
Track 3: Social Dignity, Executive Functions and Self-Regulation: Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals on Their Journey into Adulthood
Trainer: Assoc. Prof. Dr Amanallah Soltani, Deputy Dean, School of Education, Sunway University
Track 4: Planning for the Future: Will / Trust / Insurance
Trainer: Eugene Cheong, Head of Legal, Asia Pacific, Wood Mackenzie & Parent with ASD son
|
| 4:30 PM | Day 2 Ends • Certificate Distribution |
Who Should Attend?
Curated for all stakeholders dedicated to supportive lifespans for neurodivergent individuals.
Parents & Family Caregivers
Seeking clear transitional pathways, home routines, and future security for their children.
Special Educators & School Leaders
Designing post-primary curricula, transition hubs, and practical life-skills initiatives.
Therapists & Healthcare Professionals
Supporting adolescent development, mental wellness, and sensory regulation strategies.
Employers, HR & CSR Leaders
Launching inclusive workplace accommodation, hiring pipelines, and ESG social initiatives.
NGO Leaders, Social Enterprises & Advocates
Pioneering grassroots interventions, community workshops, and systemic advocacy.
Legal & Wealth Planners
Providing fiduciary guidance on trusts, wills, and estate instruments for vulnerable dependents.
Registration & Ticket Passes
Invest in the knowledge and networks that make lasting independence possible.
Full 2-Day Pass
Comprehensive access to all plenary thought leadership and practical masterclass tracks.
- Access to all Day 1 Plenary Sessions, Keynotes & Panels
- Change-Makers Recognition Ceremony & Live Podcast
- All Day 2 Hands-on Workshops (Tracks 1–4)
- Daily Networking Lunches & Refreshments
- Official Certificate of Completion
Day 1 Plenary Pass
Ideal for leaders and professionals focusing on keynote discourse and policy panels.
- Access to all Day 1 Keynotes & Industry Forums
- Change-Makers Recognition Ceremony
- Live Podcast Dialogue Session
- Day 1 Networking Lunch & Refreshments
- Excludes Day 2 Interactive Workshops
*Note: Day 2 workshop tracks are not offered on a standalone basis to ensure participants have established foundational concepts covered in Day 1 plenary forums.
The Future Doesn't Begin at 18
The journey towards adulthood begins long before a young person steps out of the classroom. The programs, accommodations, and legal safety nets we establish today will define their autonomy, dignity, and purpose tomorrow.
