Autistic children can be the nation’s assets

KUALA LUMPUR: They like to be left alone. Some are unique in their methods, but at times their ways may make you unsettled or sad. There are also times when it feels like they are testing your patience.

However, despite that, you will find parents of autistic children determined to give them the best of education, no matter the challenge that may arise.

They understand that what they do may not help their children gain admittance into universities. They are even at peace with the idea that their children may not do well in their studies. But what they want is for their children to at least learn the skills to manage themselves and survive in the world.

Maisara Husim, 37, is the mother of four-year-old Qaisara Ilham, an autistic child. She understands that she and her husband have their work cut out for them, particularly when Qaisara enters the school going age. Their main concern is her ability to adapt in the school environment, and how others are going to treat her.

"I'm always worried about other people's acceptance of Qaisara's condition. How will her teachers and friends treat her? How will she fare in a foreign environment, or when she has to communicate with others?" said the mother of four.

Maisara had left her job to focus on caring for Qaisara, her second child, upon learning of her condition.

Her sentiments are not alien to other parents with autistic children.

It is a dilemma to find a caregiver or a daycare centre that understands the needs and temperaments of autistic children and caters to their condition.

However, early intervention can do wonders for their learning and development.

It is for the very purpose that many of such centres have been set up in Malaysia, both private and government-funded.

Learning difficulties 

The Director of the Special Education Division under the Education Ministry, Bong Muk Shin, said children under the Special Education Programme are those who have difficulty learning in the mainstream environment.

The special education stream is divided into three based on the difficulties in learning, hearing and seeing.

Autistic children are classified under those with learning difficulties. This is based on the general characteristics of autism such as the difficulties in focusing, communicating and socialising. Autistic children also tend to be hyperactive or prone to sudden aggression, which can at times harm themselves or others.

"We know that autism is not a condition that can be cured. However, the symptoms can be minimised. Think of how many autistic children who have done well in their PMR and SPM examinations of late? All the credit is due to the commitment and effort of the parents and teachers.

"I believe they can contribute to the nation's economy and become an asset to the country," said Bong.

Early intervention and transition 

Bong advocates early intervention programmes for autistic children. He said such programmes could help them immensely in preparing and adjusting to the schooling environment.

Many autistic children who undergo early intervention show significant changes in their behaviour, enabling them to eventually join the mainstream schools.

Early intervention also allows them to enter the special education programme.

Bong said the children would learn to become self-sufficient and independent through the programme.

"This will help them manage themselves when they enter school, such as communicating with their peers and handling toilet breaks," he explained.

Parents and teachers also need to equip themselves with knowledge of easing autistic children into different environments and phases of their lives.

They need to help the children with the transition from the home environment to the pre-school, and from kindergarten to primary school and onwards.

For example, the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) would pick a day to bring children from their early intervention centre to school. This is so the children could have a look around and ease themselves into the environment before starting school.

"This transition phase is crucial and teachers would be taught about it via in-service courses," Bong explained.

He also advised parents to arms themselves with the knowledge so that they could help manage their children better.

Besides scouring the internet for the latest research and development on the condition, parents can also join NGOs to help widen their scope of knowledge on the subject.

 

Integration programme 

Until March this year, 3,264 children have registered as disabled people at 925 schools nationwide. Of the figure, five percent are autistic children.

Bong said the ministry was aiming for 75 percent of mainstream schools to be implementing the integration programme by 2025.

The integration programme has been implemented at selected schools for three years now and has shown to affect the disabled children positively, he said.

Bong said autistic children had every right to an education as other children and it was the parents and teachers' responsibility to help them attain it.

"It may be a bit difficult, but the ministry is working towards providing related courses and training for the teachers. There also needs to be awareness a shift in the minds of the teachers to help make this happen," he said.

He said teachers also needed to specialise in the teaching of at least one type of disabled student.

In teaching autistic children, for example, the teachers would not only be teaching but also helping them improve their socialising skills.

Although they are the minority, there are those among autistic children who are high functioning. It would be a great loss to the nation if these children with rare and special abilities were not aided to help them realise their full potential. - Bernama