KUALA LUMPUR: The government should establish a dedicated department for autism to improve facilities and increase the hiring of occupational therapists, says Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman (pic).
She said securing an appointment for therapy under the Health Ministry for autistic people can take months.
“It is better for the government to form a special department with additional allocation to improve facilities and appoint occupational therapists on contract to address the current issues,” she said when debating the 2025 Supply Bill at the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 28).
Young Syefura said the number of children diagnosed with autism had increased from 183 cases in 2013 to 1,681 cases in 2023.
With such a number of cases, she hoped the government would improve public awareness of autism, especially among parents.
While commending the move to establish 11 new Pusat Permata autism centres in each state in the Peninsula, she said there is a need to also increase certificate courses at local colleges.
“I would like to propose that the Higher Education Ministry increase certificate courses at selected colleges to boost the number of occupational therapists in the country,” she added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when presenting the 2025 Budget on Oct 18, announced the construction of two new schools for students with special needs, one in Tuaran, Sabah and the other in Johor Bahru, Johor, involving a cost of RM300mil.
Budget 2025 also earmarked RM200mil to extend the Special Needs Student Allowance of RM150 per month, including for children with autism.
A RM15mil special fund will also be created to provide financial support for children with autism, expected to benefit 30,000 children, while an autism service centre will be developed with a budget of RM5mil.
According to the Social Welfare Department (JKM), the number of autistic children has shown a drastic increase over the last 10 years, with 53,323 people diagnosed with autism last year.
