Government Expands Autism Support as Registered Cases Reach 93,000 | KiddyNews

Around One in Nine Registered Persons with Disabilities Are Autistic

About 93,000 of the 850,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) as of June 2026 are autistic, according to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying shared the figures in the Dewan Negara, noting that the growing number of registrations has prompted the government to strengthen support for autistic individuals through early intervention, education and skills development initiatives.

RM1,000 Subsidy for Eligible Children with Autism

To help families access early support, Lim said the government has introduced a one-off RM1,000 subsidy this year for each eligible child with autism.

The financial assistance is intended to help cover learning and therapy fees, supporting children’s developmental needs during their early years.

New Autism Service Centre Opens in Bangi

The ministry has also established an Autism Service Centre in Bangi, designed as a one-stop centre offering quality, affordable and accessible services for autistic individuals and their families.

The centre aims to improve access to support services while making it easier for families to receive guidance and intervention in one location.

Partnerships with NGOs to Strengthen Support

Lim said the ministry will continue working closely with non-governmental organisations, including the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), to expand support for the autism community.

Through these collaborations, the government hopes to ensure that autistic individuals receive the services and opportunities needed to reach their full potential.

Growing Focus on Early Intervention

The latest initiatives reflect Malaysia’s increasing focus on strengthening support for children with autism from an early age.

Early intervention is widely recognised as an important step in helping children build communication, learning and daily living skills, while giving families greater access to the resources and support they need throughout their child’s developmental journey.

Source:

Asia News Network – “Around 1 in 9 registered PWDs are autistic: Malaysia’s welfare department”

Thoughtfully adapted by KiddyNews. Keeping parents and educators informed with the latest ECCE developments from Malaysia and beyond.