THE KOLOLO METHOD

Seri Mengasih Centre is the first special education centre in Malaysia to adopt and implement the Kololo Method since 1999.

We saw its effectiveness for individuals on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as for those with challenging behaviours.

Many of our students have improved from the Kololo training programmes, with some of them even “graduating” out of Seri Mengasih to enter inclusive education in mainstream schools, and in work skills training and employment settings.

We are the only official centre eligible to conduct the Kololo Method practical and theoretical training within Malaysia and to certify practitioners up to the first and second levels.

What Is The Kololo Method?

The Kololo Method is a general term for the educational training programme which was developed in Japan by Mr Ishii Hijiri, together with Ms Saeko Kubota in 1980 for persons with Autism.

Based on its theory of brain development, and the theory of changing behaviour; it gives priority to those with severe difficulties and in dire situations.

It emphasizes on group dynamics based on the rationale that people are social beings, and need cooperation with one another, and need group harmony and order to function well.

The training uses scientifically proven techniques, and the quality of life for the individual with ASD improves when it is implemented into his/her lifestyle.

It is a program which supports home training, whereby parents are to carry out the training positively as it encourages individuals with ASD to be able to live with their families and in their own homes.

The 4 guiding philosophies of Kololo, simply stated are :

No one is left behind
One for all and all for one
The training is science, technique and lifestyle
Parents are the main trainers with teachers as facilitators

In a nutshell, the main training components are programmes for group behaviour which encourages those with severe difficulties to be integrated into the group; programmes for acceptable behaviour (tolerance training) which aims to reduce obsessions and frustrations which bother them in order that they can lead smooth social lives; programmes for language training which improves their vocabulary, and the ability to write; and programmes for studying general ideas which encourages them to develop language concepts, communication skills, and the ability to understand general ideas.

The Kololo Brain Theory

Every baby is born with primitive reflexes which disappear in the typical development of a growing child. These primitive reflexes are under the control of the brainstem and the spinal cord whereby the person reacts automatically to stimulus received without being conscious of it or without thinking about it before responding. As the brain develops normally, such reflex actions are inhibited and re-composed to purposeful reactions which are under conscious control. However, this does not happen in persons with ASD. Instead, these primitive reflexes tend to remain and are evident even as they grow older and will cause problems in their learning and development.

The Kololo Method Approach

The approach of the Kololo Method is to determine at which level the person with autism is currently functioning at and to increase his level of awareness. Taking into consideration autism’s behavioural characteristic of difficulty with accepting changes (hence hindering their learning of new skills); a very important concept in Kololo is the Tolerance Training Cycle. Through this concept, the trainer/teacher must “read” the learning readiness of the student based on the intensity of his/her responses.

The Main Techniques in Kololo Training

Watching

Mirroring

Group Effect

Timing

Influential Power of the Adult

Behaviour Observation

The Kololo Activities

The Kololo activities using the above techniques are:

Walking
Dynamic Rhythm
Hand Games
Learning Therapy / Academics
Behaviour Training
Circuit Training
Feeding Training

Kololo Method Teacher Training

Ever since 1999, Seri Mengasih’s teachers had undergone regular practical and theoretical training in

the Kololo Developmental Treatment Education Centre in Tokyo, Japan; and
in Seri Mengasih Centre

In both places, the teachers’ training were conducted by Kololo Japan’s professionals.

The past 21 years of working together for the sake of people with ASD in both countries had been mutually beneficial with close and firm friendship forged between both establishments. Arising from this, the significant milestones are:

2012 – a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed for the first time between the Kololo Developmental Treatment Education Centre, Japan with Seri Mengasih Centre. One of the important aims of the MOU was the exchange of research studies and information on the treatment education for students with ASD.

2018 – Mr Hardih Madin (Senior Officer in charge of Seri Mengasih’s Kololo ASD Department) was the first person in Malaysia to be awarded the Kololo GDT Chief Trainer Certificate by the Kololo Developmental Treatment Education Centre while he was undergoing his advanced training in Tokyo, Japan.

2019 – a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed to strengthen further the cooperation between both centres
2019 – Kololo Developmental Treatment Education Centre presented a Certificate of Accreditation to Seri Mengasih Centre recognizing it as Kololo Malaysia

With the official recognition of Seri Mengasih Centre as Kololo Malaysia, and with our own Kololo GDT Chief Trainer, we are now eligible to conduct the Kololo Method practical and theoretical training within Malaysia and to certify practitioners up to the first and second levels (Kololo GDT Supporter Certificate & Kololo GDT Assistant Trainer Certificate). These will then be followed by higher levels of Kololo training in Tokyo, Japan.

For the year 2020, Seri Mengasih had already drawn up plans to provide training to more teachers, especially those in government and private schools, to equip them with the knowledge and tools for the challenging task of training their students with ASD. The first training module was to be conducted in March 2020, but had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

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Seri Mengasih Centre

Seri Mengasih Centre is a charity non-governmental organisation known as the Registered Trustees of Seri Mengasih Trust.