By, Nurwin Adriana Roslee and NurFatin ‘Amalaa Abul Hassan
For many, autism is still a clinical term that remains misunderstood by the public. In bustling Shah Alam, there is a café that has the aroma of fresh brewed coffee, home-made cookies and Malaysian delicacies filling the air. To a casual passerby, it looks the same as other vibrant eateries. But for Autism Cafe Project (ACP), every plate represents each milestone in a larger movement for social inclusion. Founded by Mohd Adli Yahya in 2016 who used to work in the banking sector in Malaysia for 10 years, according to malaysiakini (see https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/633719). Adli is also a father that is driven in hope to secure his autistic son’s future, Mohd Luqman Shariff, 25 years old, that currently suffers from autism spectrum disorder, according to Malaysian Insight (see: https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/g/144822?utm_source=chatgpt.com#google_vignette). ACP is a social enterprise that has changed the nature of the employment of neurodivergent individuals every year. ACP provides the necessary information to bridge this gap by demonstrating that individuals in this spectrum have their uniqueness that is often overlooked by the traditional employer. By operating in the public space, ACP teaches the community that this spectrum is not a barrier to secure jobs by the neurodivergent community but at the same time it gives them the hope for employment.
ACP moves beyond statistics to emotional resonance. The cafe’s mission is simple yet profound. As stated in an article on IIUMToday (https://news.iium.edu.my/?p=178463), “A small dream comes from a big heart.” The cafe’s distinct preferences make it stands out from other standard commercial cafes out there. Customers today are increasingly driven by their own “beliefs” meaning that they prefer to seek and consume products that align with their values. Recent data from the Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy highlights a significant increase in autism diagnoses over the last decade in Malaysia, according to SME Bank. By humanizing the service experience, ACP ensures that customers don’t just “like” the food; they prefer the feeling of being part of a solution. This emotional bond is the bridge that carries the consumer from being merely interested into the steadfast belief that this establishment is essential to the community’s moral fabric. ACP has a firm belief that it can thrive in this business since it upholds its own identity and meaningful participation rather than just providing service to customers.
If you decide to support their business, you will not just only be a customer, but you are an ally to a father’s quest in ensuring his son’s future by simultaneously bring awareness of other individuals that are on the spectrum.
By showcasing the rigorous training “the boys” learn to bake, cook, and manage inventory. ACP replaces pity with respect. This shifts public perception from seeing autism as a limitation to seeing it as a unique capability. The conviction is reinforced by the high quality products, from their signature nasi lemak to their handmade crafts, proving that social impact does not mean making a compromise on excellence. Mohd Adli showed his love by supporting his son to join exhibitions and festivals. Adli grabbed the attention of the public to how his parenting helps children who have autism to be better people. One of exhibitions was the Exhibition of Empowering Person with Disabilities through Entrepreneurship that was held in Human Sciences Building at IIUM Gombak in January 2024. Through this exhibition, his son handed out some gingerbread biscuits as samples. Luqman made handmade bracelets, and customers could customize their own colours and patterns of beads by selecting them beforehand. The handmade bead bracelets were sold for only RM15 at the exhibition according to IIUMToday (see: https://news.iium.edu.my/?p=178323). Through this platform it shows how creative they are to create awareness and deliver messages about autism. ACP is active on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Visit the Gombak Food Festival 3.0 in Human Sciences Square from 6 to 7 January 2026, 9am to 4pm as ACP will have a booth there!***
(This advertorial is a part of assessment from a course, COMM 2312 Basic of Writing)
