BY ALEXANDRA LORNA & ANNABELL NAJA TOMMY
KUCHING: The Ministry for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development is planning to set up another One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) in a rural area in the state.
According to its minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, it is important to set up OSEIC in rural areas, too, so that special needs children in such places are diagnosed and have access to early intervention and rehabilitation programmes.
“Thus for a start, we plan to set up an OSEIC in Dalat before extending similar services in other rural parts of Sarawak,” she said.
She revealed this during the Kuching Autistic Association (KAA) Autism Awareness Event and Book Launch cum Fund Raising Programme at the Sarawak State Library here today.
Fatimah said the OSEIC at Metro City, Matang offerrf diagnoses, early intervention and rehabilitation to autistic, down syndrome and learning-disabled children aged seven and below under one roof to prepare these children to enter formal education.
“The overwhelming response from parents in enrolling their children at OSEIC which stood at 257 as at March 31, 2022 and the 100 percent success of its 26 graduated students joining mainstream education or special classes under the Ministry of Education bear testimony to the effectiveness of early intervention programmes,” she stressed.
Fatimah emphasised that acceptance and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was crucial for every member of society.
She said society should empathise with autistic individuals and their families and reach out to them to extend their care, love and understanding.
“On the other hand, parents and family members should accept their ASD children for who they are and bring them for early diagnosis, proper treatment and training as soon as possible.
“They must understand that there is nothing to be ashamed of in bringing their ASD children to mingle with others in society. What the autistic individuals need is understanding and acceptance to be a part of the society in which they live,” she said.
Fatimah stressed that inclusion for autistic individuals was important –like those with other forms of disabilities.
“With proper diagnosis, early intervention and therapies, autistic children can progress faster and meet their milestones earlier than if they are not given any form of help and support.
“Individuals with autism respond well to a highly structured, specialised education and behaviour modification programmes tailored to the individual needs of the persons.
“I would like to stress that as a caring and inclusive society, we should always work towards understanding and reaching out to every autistic person. Show autistic individuals our love, care and understanding so that they can integrate and contribute to our society too,” said Fatimah.
