NASOM To Expand Services To Kedah, Kelantan, East Msia

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The National Autism Society Malaysia (NASOM) plans to expand its services to Kedah, Kelantan and East Malaysia, based on needs and demand in the areas, its chairman, Teh Beng Hoon, said Thursday.
"There is a need in Alor Setar, Kelantan and East Malaysia to set up centres there," he told Bernama.
NASOM would conduct training for teachers to manage the new centres as well as help the autistic children, he said.
Currently, NASOM has 14 centres nationwide to train autistic children to communicate and be independent.
The society started a programme last year to prepare these children to enter the mainstream schools, Teh said.
Eight of the children entered the mainstream schools last year and six more would join them this year.
"Basically, it is proven that autistic children can be integrated into the mainstream school," he added.
The centres charged RM200 to RM250 per month for each child but parents could appeal for reduction of fees.
NASOM spent about RM1.8 million annually for its operations and as a non-governmental organisation depended on contributions from the public and corporate bodies, he said.
The society expected to increase the number of children at its centres to 450 by early next year, from the current 350, he added.