Broader Support for All Children with Disabilities, Not Autism Alone | KiddyNews

Calls to expand autism services are welcome, but experts say Malaysia must take a broader approach to supporting all children with disabilities, as autism represents only one part of a much larger picture.

In a commentary published by The Borneo Post, the authors responded to recent parliamentary figures showing that 93,000 of the 850,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) are autistic. While the numbers highlight growing demand for autism services, they argue that many more children with other disabilities remain unidentified and underserved.

Most Children with Disabilities Are Not Registered

According to JKM data, 230,775 children with disabilities were registered as of June 2026.

However, citing UNICEF 2025 estimates, the commentary noted that 12% to 13% of children are likely to be living with some form of disability. Based on Malaysia’s child population, this suggests that more than 850,000 children with disabilities may not be registered.

The authors said voluntary registration may not reflect the true scale of need, as some families hesitate to register due to concerns about discrimination in education, insurance and future employment opportunities.

They added that many unregistered children may have conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities.

Early Intervention Still Difficult to Access

The commentary highlighted longstanding challenges in accessing healthcare and early intervention services.

Children often face waiting periods of more than six months to see developmental paediatricians or allied health professionals such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, audiologists and child psychologists. Therapy sessions, once accessed, are also often limited.

The authors argued that early identification and intervention are especially critical during the first two to three years of life, when children’s brain development is most rapid.

While many non-profit organisations provide early childhood intervention (ECI) services, demand continues to exceed capacity, with long waiting lists. Families from lower-income and rural communities, particularly in Sabah, often face additional barriers to accessing support.

Calls for Stronger National Planning

The commentary recommends that Malaysia use international disability prevalence estimates, rather than voluntary registration figures alone, when planning services and allocating funding.

The authors also urged policymakers to plan for the full spectrum of childhood disabilities instead of focusing solely on autism.

Other recommendations include strengthening disability training for healthcare professionals, expanding the number of therapists in the public healthcare system, increasing access to professional early intervention services, supporting community-based rehabilitation programmes and improving access for children in rural and underserved communities.

Every Child Deserves Early Support

The authors stressed that children with disabilities benefit most when support begins as early as possible.

They concluded that strengthening early identification, expanding early intervention services and ensuring equitable access across Malaysia would help more children reach their developmental potential, regardless of the type of disability they live with.

Source:

Borneo Post – “Leaving no disabled child behind: Autism numbers are only part of the story”

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