Malaysia’s Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) will review the types of assistance and grants channel to autism centres run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or the private sector.
Deputy minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff said no special grant has been granted, but this could be discussed at the ministry level for consideration, reports Bernama.
“I will look into this matter first…we encourage NGOs to set up more autism centres to help diagnose autism spectrum disorder as early as possible,” said Yusoff
“The ministry only provided grant assistance to 562 community-based rehabilitation centres (PDK) through the state Social Welfare Department (JKM),” she added.
“Special grants are channelled to all PDKs, and staff are given a monthly allowance,” she said.
She added the assistance extended to Welfare Voluntary Organisations (PSK), which provide care, protection, and rehabilitation services to JKM’s target groups, namely the elderly, persons with disabilities, and children, would be continued.
“This assistance is to cover part of the cost incurred by PSK in providing services to JKM target group,” she said, adding that the aid was in the form of food and drinks, administrative grants, special allowances for students with disabilities, per capita and repair grants.
