Wong (centre) and SAA president David Ngu at the launch of the autism workshop.
THE Sibu Autistic Association (SAA) needs financial support from the Sarawak and Federal governments to build a home for adults with autism.
SAA founder Wong Ching Yong said countries like the United Kingdom and Australia had such homes but not Malaysia.
“Adults with autism need a home to live in because it is highly unlikely their siblings will look after them after their parents pass away,” he said at the launch of “Intensive Workshop of Autism for Parents and Teachers”.
Without a proper home with professional care, he said, adults with autism would have an extremely challenging life ahead.
However, the biggest challenge for SAA and parents, he added, was finding funds to build such a facility.
Wong, who is also Sibu Rural District Council deputy chairman, said SAA started in 2000 without any funds, but raised RM150,000 by organising a classical singing event at Wesley Methodist Church in Jalan Lily.
At that time, it had only two teachers and three students in a semi-detached house in Lane 15, Brooke Drive.
Wong urged parents to never give up on their children with autism, and to continue encouraging them to discover their talent as they could be great in arts, music or science.
