KUALA LUMPUR: Stigmas and taboos surrounding children with special needs are still prevalent, hindering caregivers and families from reaching out for aid and support.
The recent murder of autistic 6-year-old Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin has further magnified just how thorny the issue is.
In a bid to raise awareness on autism, the government has directed efforts to intensify outreach programmes to educate communities and families about these children who are often misunderstood.
Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said awareness on autism in this country remains low which greatly affects families who care for them.
In an exclusive interview with the New Straits Times' Beyond the Headlines, Nancy said her ministry is campaigning to raise awareness on autism through organising more educational programmes.
"(Most) parents don't know what autism is. They see their child as a bit different and feel ashamed to acknowledge that their child might have a disability.
"They don't want to reveal this to others and therefore, we are organising more awareness programmes to help tackle this," she said.
Nancy added that initiatives like this do not work in isolation as it requires collaboration between various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and ministries including health and education, to ensure a comprehensive approach.
"We cannot do it alone and so, they are doing the research using data from the Community Development Department (Kemas) through preschoolers who attend the Kemas kindergartens.
She stressed that even among older individuals, some remain undiagnosed with autism, highlighting the need for better understanding and awareness.
Nancy also said individuals with disabilities, including autistic children, can be vulnerable targets for criminal activities.
She said the ministry is working to enhance protective measures and advocacy efforts to prevent such instances.
"We will continue to improve our approach in preventing people with disabilities, autistic children, from becoming victims," she said.
Earlier, when asked about the ongoing probe into Zayn Rayyan's murder, Nancy said she would let due process run its course as Zayn's parents– the key suspects in his death– had just been charged with child neglect.
Previously, the NST reported that more research needs to be done on autism given its complexities and the huge impact it has on children and their families.
According to Health Ministry data, 589 children aged 18 and below were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2021– an increase from 2020's 562 children.
