Autistic kids must have early support

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: These children can see, smell and hear the world but make no sense of it – they are autistic children who live in a world of their own.
According to National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) executive director Liew Yoon Loy, many children suffer from autism but are not given appropriate help because their parents are unaware of their needs.
“Parents who do not understand autism cannot provide early support for their children. These children look normal but have special needs and it takes a lot of patience to care for them,” she said yesterday.
“Autistic children show symptoms within 36 months of their life, and parents should be aware of these symptoms so that they can bring their child for diagnosis. If their child is confirmed to be autistic, they can seek help early.”
Children with autism usually have communication and behavioural problems, and are unable to relate normally to other people. However, they can possess extraordinary abilities in a particular field such as mathematics or music.
Liew added that some parents were ashamed of their autistic children, as outsiders would judge them as being “lousy parents.”
“Autism is not about poor upbringing. It’s actually a neurobiological disorder that causes lifelong development disability, and early detection is essential to give the child special help he needs,” she told a press conference after a cheque presentation.
“A study in Britain shows that one in every 110 children suffers from autism, but there are no figures in Malaysia.”
Carrefour Malaysia/Singapore presented RM90,000 to Nasom to establish a bakery and launderette programme at two vocational centres for autistic children.
Two groups of 15 teenagers each will train at the vocational centres to enhance their employment opportunities.
Also present at the presentation ceremony were Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen (who is Nasom’s patron), Nasom president Megat Ahmad Shahrani Megat Sharuddin and Carrefour Malaysia/Singapore managing director Shafie Shamsuddin.
For more information contact Nasom at 03-4023 6698/7698 or visit www.nasom.org.my