EARLY INTERVENTION: Prime minister’s wife says a national policy is needed to help affected children develop optimally
PUTRAJAYA: EARLY detection and intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) must be made part of a national plan that ensures any one suffering from the condition has access to quality and affordable support services, says Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
The prime minister’s wife said in many developing countries, basic healthcare for common infectious diseases and education for normal children often took precedence over support services for autistic children, a policy that needed to change.
“A comprehensive strategy must include input from the research community, policymakers, educators and caregivers to cover a wide range of issues.
“These include the training of skilled personnel, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, paediatricians and early interventionists as well as developing policies on insurance, tax relief and funding for research and evidence-based treatment,” she said in her keynote address at the International Seminar on Autism 2014 in Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.
Rosmah, who is the patron of the seminar, said Malaysia was one of the countries besides China where autism was under-diagnosed.
The last study on autism conducted by the Health Ministry nearly 10 years ago revealed a rate of one case in 600 births, but epidemiological studies adopting advanced techniques would probably show rates more comparable to Western countries, she said.
“Low detection because of lack of awareness is a tragedy not only for a person with autism, but also their family, country and the world.
“It is preventing many children from receiving early intervention which has, in the past, proven to help them develop optimally.
“Research shows that intervention before a child reaches the age of 3 can bring about transformative outcomes and reduce lifetime costs for support services by two-thirds.”
Rosmah said despite the tough task of raising autistic children, parents needed to be prepared and empowered for the challenges as it would ensure that their children received the best care possible.
“In the long run, empowering parents also means less government spending for autism support services. The United States spends a staggering US$126 billion (RM416 billion) per year, while the United Kingdom spends STG34 billion (RM187 billion) per year for autism services.
“Judging by the experience of both countries, the cost for Malaysia will be similarly high.”
Rosmah said autistic children were also left behind in education, with only 2,600 of an estimated 13,500 autistic children in the country being enrolled in special education or mainstream schools. This worrying statistics prompted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to announce the setting up of a National Autism Centre next year, which will help children with ASD to unlock their full potential.
“The ultimate goal of parents, educators and professionals who interact with autistic children is to unlock their potential to become self-reliant and contributing members of society. All we have to do is see through their limitations and view them as the bright kids they really are,” Rosmah added.
Themed “Autism is not a tragedy, ignorance is”, the two-day seminar focuses on raising awareness and countering the stigma on autism, and the role of governments in providing the right platform for holistic development of autistic individuals.
The seminar is jointly organised by Permata, of which Rosmah is also a patron, Autism Speaks New York and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The first ladies of Sudan, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Albania and Morocco were present to share their respective countries’ experience in addressing autism at a special session.
International and local experts also presented their latest research and findings, as well as suggestions on the future direction for autism support globally.
-NST
