CAKNA AUTISME PROGRAMME TO BENEFIT 800 FAMILIES OF ATM PERSONNEL

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence is targeting 500 to 800 families of Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel to benefit from the Cakna Autisme ATM Programme this year.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that of the total, between 150 and 300 children would undergo early autism screening.

“We are implementing the ATM Cakna Autisme Programme in collaboration with Pharmaniaga, a subsidiary of the Armed Forces Fund Board, as autism is a condition that affects social interaction, particularly among children.

“During our visits to provide welfare assistance nationwide, we have found that many children of Armed Forces members have autism. We cannot let our members face this challenge on their own, which is why intervention is necessary,” he said at the ministry’s breaking-of-fast event with members of the media today.

Mohamed Khaled said the programme was implemented to raise parents’ awareness of the early signs of autism, while also providing voluntary early screening and referral pathways for timely intervention, thereby strengthening family institutions.

According to him, the programme is being implemented in three phases, with the first phase focusing on awareness and education, the second phase involving initial screening and professional assessment, and the third phase emphasising referrals and further support.

“Through this programme, we hope to ease the burden on families caring for children with autism,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled said the initiative was also in line with the ATM’s focus on the welfare and well-being of its members.

“Welfare and well-being are among the key pillars emphasised to ensure that members can focus fully on their duties, knowing that their families and their welfare are being well taken care of,” he said.

--BERNAMA