SIBU: The people should empathise with autistic individuals and their families.
Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah made the call at the Autism Awareness Month launching ceremony held at the Agape Centre here, today.
According to Fatimah, society should reach out to the autistic individuals and their family to extend their care, love and understandings.
“Caring for autistic children is not easy, as it requires a high level of patience, love and attention from parents and teachers to be able to train and teach them,” she said.
She revealed that a total of 15,547 people in Sarawak were registered under the learning disability category.
“Of that number, 587 are Global Developmental Disorders, Down Syndrome (1,390), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (604), Autism (2,584), Intellectual Disabilities (7,204) and Special Learning Disabilities (542).
“Meanwhile, 2,636 are non -specific disabilities, meaning some are autistic, but have not changed their registration status,” she said.
Fatimah added that it was not easy for their families to accept that their perfectly normal children were having ASD.
“Parents and family members should learn to accept their ASD children for who they are and bring them for proper treatment and training as soon as possible.
“They must understand that there is nothing to be ashamed of in bringing their ASD children to mingle with others in society,” she said.
Hence it was important to create public awareness about autism to make sure that early diagnosis and intervention could be conducted.
“Early diagnosis and intervention play an important role in improving positive outcomes among autistic children.
“What the autistic individuals need is understanding and acceptance to enable them to be a part of the society in which they live,” she said.
At the ceremony, Fatimah presented funds amounting to RM6,000 to Sibu Autistic Association.
Also present were Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng, Sarawak Social Welfare Department director Noriah Ahmad and Sibu Divisional Health Officer Dr Teh Jo Hun.
