GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is looking at ways to create and strengthen a comprehensive and coordinated approach for supporting people with autism and their families.
State social development and welfare committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the government recognised that many non-governmental organisations carry out autism-related initiatives.
"We will build closer partnerships with them to continue organising awareness programmes and developmental training.
"We are looking into engaging companies in Penang to be part of an adopt-a-family programme to help ease the needs of families caring for a person with autism," she said in reply to A. Kumaresan (PH-Batu Uban) at the state assembly on Wednesday (Nov 4).
Kumaresan wanted to know the state's plans to improve support for people with autism and their families, as well as how many people with autism are registered as persons with disabilities (OKU) in Penang as of this year; and also the early intervention centres, therapy centres and training centres available for people with autism.
Lim said the state Social Welfare Department (JKM) runs a community-based rehabilitation programme, which provides rehabilitation, early intervention and skills training for people with disabilities, including those with autism.
"The programme aims to help people with disabilities develop their abilities, improve their daily living skills, become more independent and take part in community life.
"Provided through community-based rehabilitation centres, it involves families and local communities.
"There are currently 24 such centres across Penang providing services to people with various disabilities, including autism," she said.
Lim said the state JKM does not have any dedicated therapy or training centres for people with autism as yet.
"The state Education Department has a Special Education Service Centre in Kampung Telok, Alma, Bukit Mertajam, to provide support for students with special educational needs.
"The centre has four officers with specialised skills who support students with various special needs, including those with autism.
"This is one of the Education Ministry's efforts to meet the learning and support needs of students with such needs," she said.
She added that the state government works with NGOs to raise awareness and provide autism-related support.
"These NGOs help people with autism develop their abilities, improve their communication and social skills, and become more independent.
"The National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom), an NGO registered with JKM, provides services and programmes to support the development and learning of people with autism according to their individual needs," she said.
Lim said that a total of 4,850 people with autism were registered as OKU in the state as at Sept 30, most of them (4,021) aged below 18.
There are 727 between 19 and 35, 97 between 36 and 59, and five aged 60 and above, she added.
"The North-East district has the highest number with 1,605 people, followed by Central Seberang Perai (1,104), North Seberang Perai (1,028), South-West (576) and South Seberang Perai (537)," she said.
