KUANTAN, Oct 27 — Access to appropriate early education and guidance is essential for autistic children, particularly those from low-income families and rural communities, to help them develop their potential early on.
Against this backdrop, plans under Budget 2027 to build two Permata Kurnia centres in Pahang and Melaka and open 130 new Tabika Tunas Istimewa classes in rural areas nationwide are expected to give more children access to education and support suited to their individual needs.
Malaysian Childcare Centre Association founder and chairman Ng Chun Piew said the initiatives could widen access to early guidance, but their success would hinge on appropriate facilities, trained teachers and quality services.
He said stronger cooperation among the government, experts, parents and childcare providers was essential to ensure autistic children received the support they needed for their development and well-being.
“We hope the new centres and classes will be equipped with trained educators, appropriate facilities and quality services, with due consideration given to the needs of families requiring assistance.
“Children are the future of the country, and every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and reach their full potential,” he told Bernama recently.
Kindergarten operator Lim Suh Yin, 42, who has three children with special needs, also welcomed plans for dedicated centres for autistic children, noting they require specialised knowledge, skills and tailored teaching methods.
She said teachers must understand that each autistic child has distinct characteristics, behaviours and needs to ensure their learning and development are adequately supported.
“Caring for and understanding these children requires specific skills, as each child has different characteristics and needs and responds to different approaches.
“Those without specialised training may struggle to understand autistic children’s behaviour and identify suitable learning methods for them,” she said, stressing the importance of dedicated centres or classes with trained educators and professional support to promote the development of autistic children.
Mulya Aina Mohamad, 43, whose 12-year-old child is autistic, said plans to open more specialised classes would give parents hope, especially those from low-income households who face financial barriers to accessing private education services.
She said suitable early childhood education would enable autistic children to participate in learning activities, receive training and access support suited to their needs before starting school.
“Not all families can afford private education, while rural parents struggle to find suitable education and guidance for children under seven,” she said, adding that more specialised classes would help parents and raise awareness of autistic children’s needs and available support.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced in Budget 2027 that two Permata Kurnia centres would be built in Pahang and Melaka to provide education, support and training for autistic children, while more than 130 new Tabika Tunas Istimewa classes would open in rural areas nationwide to improve access to early support for autistic children from low-income families. — Bernama