An American tourist was deeply moved after coming across a Calm Room in a shopping mall designed to help individuals with autism and those feeling overstimulated.
The tourist, Dr. Breigh, shared her experience on Threads, expressing admiration for Malaysia’s attention to mental wellness and inclusivity.
“A population that often feels overlooked”
In her post, she wrote:
On another episode of ‘I’m obsessed with Malaysia’s culture’ — here’s a calm room in the mall for those with autism (and anyone else who is feeling overstimulated).
Her post quickly gained attention for highlighting Malaysia’s efforts in supporting special needs communities in public spaces.
Promoting community care and inclusivity
She praised the intentionality and community of care shown through the presence of such a facility, calling it a rare example of creating space with empathy and inclusivity in mind.
“The intentionality, the community of care, the prioritization. It’s beautiful when something was created for you in mind— especially in a population that often feels overlooked and invisible.”
Dr. Breigh said she felt inspired by the way Malaysia is promoting awareness for neurodivergent individuals.
Others share similar examples
In the comments, several netizens noted that similar calm or sensory rooms are not limited to malls.
Some pointed out that Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) also offers sensory-friendly spaces to assist travellers with autism, showing a broader commitment to accessibility.
