Being Different: Incorporating Emotive-Cognitive Relational Approach for Desistance of Neurodivergent Juveniles, Department of Social Welfare, Malaysia (PID006)

11.30am – 12pm EDT, 4 September 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Workshop Session

Neurodivergence is a concept that is often overlooked when it comes to the juvenile justice system, though the prevalence seems to support the need for some justifiable intervention that is central to this. With the idea garnering momentous understanding and focus, there is an exigency for neurodivergence to be insinuated in the juvenile justice context for effective rehabilitation and desistance.

To develop a justifiable and inclusive approach to this, this research has proposed the Emotive-Cognitive Relational Approach (ECRA) to be incorporated in the program to attend to these needs. It recognizes that emotions and cognition are intertwined and play a significant role in shaping behaviours alongside facilitating positive changes.

A study conducted onto youths aged 14 to 21 from mild to moderate symptom with a series of interventions implemented in juvenile rehabilitation programs, based on ECRA, this approach implemented; from initial assessments, information and education provision, planning development, intervention implementation, positive and supportive fostering, ongoing monitoring and feedback, to transition and reintegration facilitation; were tailored to the unique needs of neurodivergent juveniles. The findings show a significant improvement in the desistance process, with participants showing enhanced emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and interpersonal skills.

Conclusively, “being different” is not about labelling or stigmatizing neurodivergent juveniles, but recognizing their uniqueness, understanding their needs, and harnessing their potential. This research calls for further research to refine this approach and explore its potential in different contexts where it shifts the focus from punishment to rehabilitation, from deficit to strength, and from exclusion to inclusion.

Speakers

Sayed Mawismi Sayed Mohamad Mustar

Senior Associate Social Development Officer, Department of Social Welfare, Malaysia

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Sayed Mawismi Sayed Mohamad Mustar

Senior Associate Social Development Officer, Department of Social Welfare, Malaysia

With a background in Social Work, Psychology and Disability Studies, Sayed has been a practitioner for almost 15 years involved in the Correctional field both in institutionalized and community-based settings. Focusing on rehabilitation services for youths aged 14 to 21, he has been handling individual and family intervention, initiating community integration, managing, and delivering rehabilitation programs, and involving directly in policy making. Currently integrating interdisciplinary knowledge of Adolescence Psychology, Criminology and Disability Studies in doing research on Youth Justice Systems, especially for youths with cognitive and intellectual impairments. 

Sayed has been invited to be a panel in developing National Youth Rehabilitation Policy, specifically in drafting the Standard Operating Procedures for Community Services under Department of Social Welfare, focuses on children and youths in conflict with laws. He was selected as Supervisor for delivering Community Services programs in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Also, being elected as an auditor for Community Services implementation standard in 2018 and 2019. At the same, he had been given trusts and responsibilities to deliver talks and sharing sessions that focus on the issues of Youth Correctional Settings in Malaysia and recently was invited by Malaysia Human Rights Commission to be one of the panelists to review on reintegration program of released prisoners to be integrated in the community. With relevant experiences, it has developed his interests in doing research coming out with proper justifiable and effectual programs related to those within justice system, specifically on juvenile, those within neurodevelopmental divergent group and people with disabilities.