Welfare Dept records eightfold rise in autism PwD registrations since 2015

MELAKA, May 24 — The number of registered persons with disabilities (PwDs) with autism under the Social Welfare Department (JKM) has increased eightfold to 90,459 as of April 30, compared with 2015.

JKM director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan said the increase is believed to be due to the effectiveness of autism-related awareness programmes and campaigns among parents, actively carried out by the government through cooperation with various parties, including state governments and the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM)

“It is possible that in 2015, many children were already living with autism, but many people still did not understand or were unaware of what autism was until awareness increased following the implementation of various programmes.

“In addition, the government has established the Bangi Autism Service Centre (PPA) as a pilot project, which began registration in April and is expected to begin operations this June,” he told reporters here.

He said this after officiating the Southern Zone Basic Care Seminar for Senior Citizens and PwDs in conjunction with the Rhythm of Harmonious Life (RHYTHM) programme, which was also attended by state Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Nordin.

Che Murad Sayang said the facility was established to help ease the burden on parents in obtaining suitable treatment or therapy for their children.

He said the Bangi PPA, managed by JKM, in collaboration with NASOM and the Damansara Damia Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre, provides structured early intervention and multidisciplinary therapy programmes to guide autistic children aged between two and 18 years old.

Meanwhile, he said that as of April 30, a total of 839,535 PwDs had been registered under the department, and of that number, 339,097 individuals, or 40.39 per cent, were classified under the learning disabilities category, which recorded the highest number of registrations.

“Therefore, the government will continue strengthening care and support for the disabled community to ensure they are able to lead a better quality of life, become more independent, and live inclusively in line with the nation’s aspiration of building a caring and disability-friendly society.” — Bernama

المصدر: Malay Mail