SIBU: Individuals diagnosed with autism possess unique talents and abilities but societal support plays an important part in nurturing these potentials further, said political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Joshua Ting.
He said that through community backing and existing interventions, children with autism could significantly enhance their quality of life.
“This Autism Awareness Carnival event is very special because it can help us understand that everyone is unique. Let’s use today to learn more about autism and how we can support each other.
“Through this awareness carnival, I hope that the participants, especially the parents, would become even closer to their children with autism,” he said in his speech at the carnival held in conjunction with Worldwide Autism Awareness Day at Agape Centre here today.
The carnival featured a range of activities, including sports, games, aerobic exercises, and sales stalls, enriching the experience for all attendees.
Ting also hoped that through this carnival, the general public and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would become more aware of families with autism and lend their helping hands in whatever form.
Meanwhile, president of the Sibu Autism Association (SAA), David Ngu, in his speech, said that statistics have shown that for every 100 kids, there will be one autistic child in the world.
“According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 36 children is diagnosed with having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This means that at least 9,000 babies are diagnosed as having ASD every year. In schools, there would be around one ASD child in every single class.
“Furthermore, in Sibu alone, before the year 2020, on average, around 70 children with autism have been identified every year. But starting from 2020, the figures have reached more than a hundred cases every single year, and it has never dropped.
“We can see that autism can be present everywhere. As such, creating and promoting public awareness of autism is very important in our community to better understand those who are affected by the syndrome.
Also present was chairman of the Special Olympics Sarawak Sibu Division, Pemanca Datuk Jason Tai.
