Khairy: National registry of autism cases to be set up

KUALA LUMPUR: A national registry of autism cases in the country will be set up, enabling more effective interventions for autistic people, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The move would follow the inception of the National Autism Council by the end of the year, said the Health Minister.

He said the council would serve as a comprehensive, integrated focal point for all the relevant parties involved.

He added that the papers for the setting up of the council would be presented to the Cabinet soon.

“The council will develop integrated intervention and training for parents and act as a comprehensive platform with a range of information on autism.

“This will not just be for kids but also adults who are on the spectrum,” he said.

The integrated council will include other ministries such as Education, Human Resources, Women, Family, and Community Development, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and parent/patient advocates.

“Apart from that, a national clinical autism registry will be put in place with comprehensive information on autism cases in the country.

“It will help develop effective interventions for autistic individuals,” he said after closing the Empowering Autism Preparedness and Response Workshop here yesterday.

Khairy said the council could also look into insurance coverage for those with autism, but added that this would require Bank Negara’s input.

It will also look into support and interventions for adults on the spectrum in the form of job opportunities.

Earlier in his speech, Khairy said there was a need to move away from seeing autism as something that needed to be contained or controlled.

Instead, he said autism should be looked at from those on the spectrum and their neurodiverse perspectives.