AN MCA leader has applauded Putrajaya’s plan to establish autism-focused preschools across Malaysia, saying the initiative offers hope to families and individuals with learning disabilities who have historically been marginalised.
However, while this is a commendable step towards inclusivity and accessibility in education, MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the government must also expand its efforts to benefit the wider community.
“The targeted support for B40 families addresses critical barriers to accessing specialised education, such as financial constraints and social stigma,” he remarked.
“This initiative serves as a lifeline for not only the children with autism, but also empowering families to better support their children’s development. Because of this, this lifeline should also be extended beyond the autistic community to include other neurodivergent children.”
Neurodivergence, a term increasingly recognised across Malaysia, refers to individuals who have neurological differences that are often seen as divergent from the typical or “neurotypical” brain function.
These differences can include conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia and other cognitive variations.
According to Mah, children with conditions such as ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome are often overlooked in mainstream educational settings, and like autism, these conditions often go undetected or are misdiagnosed, leaving affected children on the spectrum without the necessary support.
“ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome are two of the many others; education systems should extend to the neurodivergent community as a whole,” he continued.
Mah said another vital area for consideration is the training required to support specialised education, adding that teachers must also be incentivised to pursue training in a wide range of neurodivergent conditions.
He noted that a well-trained workforce is essential to ensure these children receive the quality education they deserve.
“Equally important is collaboration between schools, parents, and communities to foster an environment of understanding and acceptance. Awareness campaigns, parent support groups, and partnerships with NGOs can play pivotal roles in building an inclusive culture,” he stated.
“This preschool initiative marks a significant beginning, but it must form part of a broader commitment to inclusivity and equality in education.
“Every child, regardless of their abilities, deserves the opportunity to thrive amongst the neurotypicals, raising them to the heights that they can achieve with proper support.”
The initiative to establish autism-focused preschools across Malaysia was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Thursday (Jan 9).
Zahid, also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, stated that the initiative, Tabika Berkeperluan Khas or Tabika Autisme, is part of a broader effort by the ministry through the Department of Community Development (Kemas).
He revealed that the first Autism Preschool is set to begin operations in Melaka this year, prioritising children with autism from B40 households. – Jan 10, 2025
