ALOR STAR: There is a need for an integrated system to directly aid children with special needs, especially those with autism, says popular film director Dr Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri.
Idham, who is an advocate for special needs children, stressed the importance of comprehensive government policies to support such children.
"The current education system in Malaysia has a support system (for special needs children), but it lacks a holistic approach.
"There's little collaboration among ministries and their agencies to directly assist these children.
"For instance, resources or budget allocations for special needs classes are typically drawn from the school budget.
"So, it's more of a peripheral allocation rather than a dedicated one," he said after attending the Menyantuni Autism 2024 programme at Universiti Utara Malaysia yesterday (Tuesday).
Present were Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital psychiatry and mental health department director Dr Mohd Affendi Hashim, UUM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan and UUM autism psycholinguistics researcher Dr Yusniza Mohd Yusoff.
Idham, who is a UUM alumnus, stressed the urgency of the issue due to the increasing number of children diagnosed with autism.
"It's crucial not to trivialise this matter. My earnest hope is that we take this seriously, exploring the best support and education modules for these children," he added.
Dr Affendi said there was a need for increased awareness in rural communities in Kedah and Perlis about the importance of early autism detection.
"Early detection is very important because it leads to early diagnosis. Early diagnosis results in earlier intervention, which is a key factor in improving the prognosis and future for these children.
"With programmes like this, our reach to raise awareness among non-central populations, unlike in Alor Star, will be more effective in my view," he added.
Yusniza said today's programme aimed to highlight the bright potential of people with autism.
"In fact, some of the people involved in organising this programme are university students with autism. We want to convey the message that students or children with autism have potential. They can achieve great things with strong support," she added.
