KUCHING: A new autism-friendly playground, the first of its kind in Sarawak, will be ready by December to provide a safe place for autistic children to play.
Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the RM485,000 project would be built within the grounds of the Kuching South City Council's headquarters here.
"This playground is a symbol of our commitment to every child in our community," he said when handing over the site to the contractor on Thursday (Aug 22).
Wee said the playground was designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children with autism could play, explore and grow in a space that meets their needs.
He noted that autistic children who experienced sensory processing disorders may be sensitive to loud noises, bright lights or certain textures and smells.
"For many children with autism, the typical playground can be a place of overwhelming sensations and difficulties.
"It is with this understanding that we have created this special space, a playground designed not just for fun but for inclusivity, acceptance and support," he said.
Kuching Autistic Association president Dr Catherine Chen said the playground's design was based on the "safe" concept of sensory-rich, autism-friendly, fun and engaging.
"By playing in a playground that is friendly, our children and adults with autism will be able to boost their self-esteem, engage their senses during play, explore their surroundings in a safe place and learn to adapt to changes," she said.
Dr Chen said the autism-friendly features included a perimeter fence for safety and a quiet area where children can rest and calm down.
"We also have different types of balancing activities as well as climbing, crawling and jumping activities to help them build their gross motor skills in a fun and safe place.
"We hope that through this playground, our children with autism will have a nice place to come and relax, learn some skills and play with one another," she added.
