THE number of diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Malaysia has been steadily rising over the past decade with a total of 589 children aged 18 and below being diagnosed with ASD in 2021.
According to Ministry of Health (MOH) data, this is a five per cent increase from 562 children in 2020, while in 2010, only 99 children under 18 were diagnosed with ASD.
World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated annually on April 2, and in conjunction with this, the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) in Klang got together parents and experts to help create greater awareness.
Their goal was to enhance awareness and deepen understanding of autism, showcasing the realities faced by parents and children affected by it.
More than 120 participants from various faiths attended the event, sharing their ups and downs in dealing with autism.
Three speakers provided their perspectives on autism - Ruth S. Arunasalam, an acclaimed authority with over 25 years of experience in autism education, Joel Antony, a certified Autism Fitness Coach and the visionary behind J8 Autism Athletics, and Ivy Philip, the Founder of EmployAble Malaysia.
The event also featured an inspiring musical performance by autistic brothers, She Jun Wei and Aidan She Jun Yuen, on violin and keyboard, a Q&A session and a testimony by Matthew Thomas about life in the spectrum. - The Vibes, April 20, 2024
