BUDGET: CONSTRUCTION OF PERMATA CENTRES OFFERS NEW HOPE FOR PARENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN

By Balqis Jamaludin

KUALA TERENGGANU,  Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The government's concern for children with special needs, translated by the announcement on the construction of 11 Permata Centres during Budget 2025, including in Terengganu, offers new hope to parents with autistic children.

Parents seeking guidance and support to raise children with special needs are facing challenges in accessing specialised education centres, as the limited number of doctors and therapists in government hospitals makes it difficult to meet the demand for services.

Terengganu Autism Association chairman Engku Mohd Hairul Nizam Tuan Ahmad highlighted that because of this issue, autistic children are only able to receive therapy once a month when ideally, therapy sessions should be more frequent to ensure effective progress.

"The therapists available are not only for autistic children as they also need to train and treat other patients with  Down Syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)," he said when contacted by Bernama.

Engku Mohd Hairul Nizam said currently, there are seven or eight therapists offering services at private premises in Terengganu, but not all parents can afford them as the cost is between RM80 to RM150 for a one-hour session

Engku Mohd Hairul Nizam, whose son, Luqmanul Hakim, 21,  has 'mild autism', suggested that the new  Permata Centres include a training module for parents, enabling them to continue their children’s training and development at home.

"I understand the challenges that parents of autistic children face. Relying solely on therapists means these children miss out on training during holidays and weekends, yet they need consistent, daily support.

“When my son was younger, I took him for therapy at a private centre in Shah Alam, Selangor, where I learned from the therapist how to train him myself...for example, teaching him how to hold a pencil,” he shared.

Meanwhile, Rosmiza Anuar, 40, suggested that the Permata Centres be equipped with facilities not only for young children with autism but also for therapy and skills training for autistic adults, especially on how to communicate. 

The mother of three said that her eldest son, Mohamad Rayyan Haikal Mohd Fauzi, 15, has 'mild autism' and has been attending mainstream school since last year.

However, she remains concerned for him as he struggles with communication, particularly with people he is not familiar with.

"Although he can be independent and take care of his younger siblings, he still has problems communicating with outsiders and is unable to look us in the eye, especially when talking," she said.

Md Yassin Embong, 5, who also has an autistic son, Fazli Azizi, 18, opined with Rosmiza on the need for  Permata Centres to provide training for autistic adults to equip them with the necessary living skills.

"If we want to send them to a normal training institution, it might be difficult for them because their way of socialising, speaking and development is not the same as other people,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling Budget 2025 announced the construction of 11 Permata Centres,  including in Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak as part of the government's commitment to ensure autistic children have access to quality education and support.

-- BERNAMA