KLIA’2024: New Frontier In Autism Awareness And Support

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The Early Intervention Sustainable Carnival 2024 (KLIA’2024) is poised to be a vital platform for connecting the community with early autism intervention methods, showcasing the potential and abilities of children with autism.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said this inaugural event, organised by the PERMATA Kurnia Centre under the PERMATA Division of the Ministry of Education (MoE), aims to enhance advocacy through public engagement, particularly involving parents and the broader community.

"I hope this programme will be conducted regularly to build confidence and trust while further strengthening both humanistic and special needs education for our children, especially those under the MoE," she told a press conference after the launch of KLIA’2024 at the Alpha Angle Shopping Centre in Wangsa Maju here today.

Themed “My Dream World” and featuring the slogan “A MADANI Community Empowering Sustainable Early Intervention,” KLIA’2024 will take place over two days, starting today from 10 am to 6 pm.

The programme also aims to create a positive perception among parents and the community, illustrating that individuals with autism can contribute to society through the skills they acquire in their chosen fields of employment.

For further information, the public can visit https://iautism.my/permata-kurnia.

Yesterday, when tabling Budget 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the importance of students with special educational needs (MBPK). He announced the construction of 11 new PERMATA centres to ensure that every state has educational facilities for children with autism, including in Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak.

In addition, RM300 million has been allocated for building two special education schools in Johor and Sabah, along with RM200 million set aside for the Special Needs Student Allowance (EMBK).

-- BERNAMA