Advocate: Better for parents, teachers to learn ways to communicate with autistic kids

SIBU (July 28): All parents and educators should acquire the basic skills in intervention and therapy meant to help mitigate the challenges faced by children with autism, and to ensure that they would receive timely support.

In voicing this out, Sibu Autistic Association (SAA) president David Ngu says with the statistics showing a significant increase in diagnosed cases, it is more critical than ever to address the needs of this community.

He said based on the report by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there was a total rise of 317 per cent from 1970 to 2023 with regard to cases.

“In Malaysia, the latest figures announced by Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, shows that the number of children diagnosed with autism cases registered with Welfare Department has increased 663 per cent, from 6,991 in 2013 to 53,323 in 2023,” he said in his speech for the ‘National Autism Convention’ at RH Hotel yesterday.

According to him, as awareness campaigns gain momentum, more people are recognising the importance of early intervention.

“However, our early intervention centres are overwhelmed, leading to long waiting periods and missed opportunities during the crucial early years of a child’s development.

“It is disheartening to see families struggling to access the support they need when they need it the most,” he said.

In light of this, he said it was important for parents and educators to acquire skills in intervention and therapy.

“By empowering parents and educators with the right tools and knowledge, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for our children.

“This is the primary goal of our convention – to equip you with the skills and understanding necessary to make a difference.”

Meanwhile, Ngu also called upon the parents and teachers to shift their focus on the autistic children, ‘from challenges to their unique talents’.

“Each individual with autism possesses a distinct set of abilities that, when nurtured and supported, can lead to remarkable achievements.

“We must also focus on supporting adolescents and adults with autism, including promoting inclusive employment opportunities. We must shift our focus from their challenges to their unique talents.

“This is why our theme highlights the empowerment of their abilities for a promising future. We are immensely grateful to the government for their efforts to ensure a better quality of life for individuals with autism,” he said.

Ngu said throughout the two days convention, there would be over 200 paintings created by children with autism being put on display.

“Participants are encouraged to visit the gallery and support these young artists by purchasing their works. All proceeds will go towards our new building project, which aims to expand our educational facilities to accommodate more children in need.”