26th October 2012

From Star Online

KOTA KINABALU: Tanjung Baru Assemblywoman Datuk Hamisa Samat said there is an urgent need for a school for children with autism to be built in Sabah.

She said there is a need for such schools to be built as the number of children with autism is increasing, with an estimation of one out of 600 children are autistic.

"Latest statistics show that about 47,000 children in the country are autistic," she said.

Thus, she hopes the Sabah Community Development and Consumer Affairs Ministry could play a bigger role in trying to create and built more special education schools, including in rural areas.

Hamisa said autistic children should be given another form of syllabus to ensure they are not left out in their education.

With the correct study method, autistic children can definitely identify their interests, skills and talents, and in future lead a better life.

"It is also hoped that preschools or kindergartens for the disabled will be opened in rural areas in Sabah," she added.

Apart from ensuring that children are cared for properly, parents can also focus properly on their jobs, Hamisa explained.