KUALA LUMPUR: About 93,000 of the 850,000 persons with disabilities (OKU) registered with the Social Welfare Department as of June 2026 are those with autism, the Dewan Negara has been told.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying said the increase in registrations had prompted the government to enhance various initiatives on early intervention, education and skills training for the group.
"Beginning this year, a one-off subsidy of RM1,000 will be provided to each eligible child with autism (for learning and therapy fees).
"Recently, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry established an Autism Service Centre in Bangi with the primary objective of providing a one-stop centre offering quality, affordable and easily accessible services," she said when replying to a question from Senator Dr A. Lingeshwaran on Thursday (July 30).
Lim said under the initiative, collaboration between the department and non-governmental organisations such as the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom), would continue to be strengthened to ensure that people with autism were not left behind and were able to realise their full potential. – Bernama
