Reaching Out to the Special Needs: A Collaborative Community Outreach with IMU Cares

On 5 July 2025, final-year student dietitians Gan Jia Yi and Vanessa Wong Shi Ming from IMU Dietetics with Nutrition cohort of DN121, under the guidance of clinical instructor Nur Atiqa Binti Ali, successfully conducted a nutrition talk at the IMU Cares Workshop for Parents of Children with Special Needs. Held at Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Kajang, the event was a collaborative effort with paediatrician Dr Ong Jun-Jean and a team of volunteer medical students. The workshop engaged 12 children aged 5–9, most of whom have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their parents, focusing on two core themes: nutrition and sleep quality.

Our talk, titled “Eat with Ease: Make Mealtime a Happy Time with Your Child,” addressed common feeding challenges in children with ASD, such as food selectivity and disruptive eating behaviours. We shared practical strategies for introducing new foods, establishing structured mealtime routines, and improving the mealtime environment. Parents were also equipped with fundamental nutritional knowledge, including healthy eating guidelines, food group classification, and age-appropriate meal planning based on the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines.

To support behavioural change, we introduced a reflective activity using the “Child’s Meal Plan: Before and After Nutrition Talk” template. Parents noted their child’s usual intake before the session and were encouraged to revise the plan post-talk using their newly acquired knowledge. The session concluded with a lively Q&A segment, where we addressed individual concerns and recommended further follow-up at the IMU Student Dietetics Centre (SDC) for personalised nutrition care.

IMU Student Dietetics Centre (SDC) provides the community with accessible, evidence-based nutrition education, individualised dietary counselling, and group education activities. It plays a vital role in improving public awareness of healthy eating, addressing nutrition-related health issues, and supporting behaviour change, particularly among underserved populations. By offering free services, the SDC helps bridge gaps and empowers individuals to take charge of their nutritional well-being.

At the same time, the SDC serves as a valuable practical training ground for dietetics students. Under the supervision of qualified dietitians, students apply their clinical knowledge, community engagement, and communication skills in real-world settings. This hands-on experience strengthens their confidence, professionalism, and readiness to become competent, patient-centred dietitians.

Following the talk, a Food Play session was held with the children, using vibrant, fresh produce including carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, purple cabbage, oranges, green apples, and blueberries. This hands-on activity aimed to increase sensory exposure to fruits and vegetables in a playful, pressure-free environment. We were inspired by the children’s creativity and enthusiasm, especially those who were curious enough to taste the foods.

Overall, this was an incredibly fulfilling and eye-opening experience. It provided us with the opportunity to apply our academic knowledge in a real-world setting while deepening our empathy and improving our communication with both children and their caregivers. Engaging directly with families helped us better understand the challenges faced by diverse populations, particularly in managing nutrition-related behaviours in children with special needs.

From a student’s perspective, this experience pushed us beyond the classroom—challenging us to think critically, adapt our approach to different learning styles, and deliver nutrition education in a clear, practical, and compassionate manner. It also sharpened our teamwork, leadership, and resource development skills, all of which are essential for success in clinical and community practice.

This opportunity has truly inspired us to be more proactive, empathetic, and client-focused—qualities that are integral to becoming competent, work-ready dietitians. We are deeply grateful to IMU Cares, the SDC, Dr Ong, and the dedicated team of medical student volunteers for their support in making this impactful initiative possible. We look forward to continuing our contributions as future IMU alumni in community outreach and beyond.

Submitted by DN 121 Students: Gan Jia Yi, Vanessa Wong Shi Ming
Clinical Instructor: Ms Atiqa