There is a hidden gem in Subang Jaya that sells local delicacies like nasi kerabu as well as other unique knick knacks.
What’s intriguing however, is not what is sold, but who makes them. Located in Da Men mall in USJ1, Autism Cafe Project exclusively hires autistic teens to man the shop.
Born out of a father’s concern for his 23-year old autistic son, the cafe is a safe haven for those on the spectrum.
"The world is just not ready for them. My son, he has limitations with his vocabulary, his thinking, even emotionally as well.
Physically, there’s nothing wrong with him, but if he were to contest against the likes of you and me for a job per se, who do you think would win? This is why I started the cafe,” owner Mohd Adli Yahya told Sinar Daily.
It was a painful journey towards acceptance for the 57-year old, who established the Autism Cafe Project by the roadside way back in 2016.
Originally built for his son, the shop had come a long way since then, employing more autistic teenagers to share the love.
School did "nothing” for Adli’s son Muhammad Luqman Shariff, who showed tremendous improvement once he started working and helping out at the cafe.
"Sometimes, it surprises me what he can do. Things that I doubted him for, he carried out perfectly once he learned by way of observation alone,” Adli said, referring to an incident that involved packing things in boxes for wastewater company IndahWater, which required a complicated way of tying up.
This was an experience also felt by fellow employee Benjamin Mok Cui Jun, who turns 18 this year.
In just two and a half months, Benjamin had learned how to cook, clean, serve customers, bake cookies, and wash dishes.
He said that he enjoys working at the cafe, where he is able to gain some experience while he completes his IGCSEs.
That is what sets them apart from other centres for those on the autism spectrum. There is no training period at all - each task is a group project, something to be done together.
"I find that they learn best that way. You have to explain every single step or they will not know that you are meant to stop pouring water in a glass when it’s nearly full, for example,” he explained.
Since its inception, the Autism Cafe Project has managed to prevent any outbursts and tantrums simply by abiding by a single rule - to only make its employees do what they enjoy.
It also helps that the cafe is secluded and in a fairly quiet mall in Subang Jaya, as opposed to the original plan of opening up shop in the hustle and bustle of Pavillion, Kuala Lumpur.
Adli said that the lack of crowds and walk-in customers are not the issue, as the objective is to focus on the growth of his employees, whom he affectionately referred to as "the boys”.
"If 10 customers were to walk in and order 10 different things, these boys would get so confused, which is why we have decided to focus our efforts on bulk orders.
"This is not to say that we do not handle walk-ins, as that raises awareness too. But bulk orders and catering for events is how we manage to keep afloat,” Adli shared.
It is not all fun and games though. Adli said that a big part of why he does what he does is to show them that they, usually seen by society as in need of help, can actually help others.
Adli then talked about an employee they had who lived a very sheltered life, named Nabil. After helping him make meal packs for an orphanage centre, Adli brought Nabil along with him to deliver the food.
When the orphans came out to welcome them, Nabil was told by Adli what being an orphan really meant.
"His face immediately changed when I told him that they no longer have any parents. I think that really struck a chord,” Adli expounded.
These lessons, as Adli called them, are to show the boys that they are, in their own way, very lucky.
"I want to show them that they have the power to help others. They cook, make food, and then deliver to those in need.
"For this coming Ramadan especially, we are aiming to feed those who cannot afford to break their fasts,” he said.
The drive relies on a pay-it-forward scheme, where members of the public can purchase a meal for someone in need and let Autism Cafe Project handle the rest.
Besides that, the cafe is also selling Raya gift bags for RM195 each. Five jars of Raya cookies await those who purchase these bags.
Adli said there is a huge difference between donating money and buying from the Autism Cafe Project.
When one does the latter, they are helping support the boys, who worked hard to make those products.
"They are very honest. If you ask them to work for eight hours, they will do so. If you do not pay them a salary, they won’t ask for it.
"Which is very dangerous and why there are so many cases of autistic people being taken advantage of,” Adli said, in hopes that the Autism Cafe Project will live on even after he is no longer around.
Autism Cafe Project LG-12, Da Men Mall, USJ 1, 47600 Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Open daily from 11.30am to 8pm.
Facebook: Autism Cafe Project
Instagram: @autismcafeproject