MINDEF Launches IA-ATM To Boost Support For Children With Autism Of Military Personnel

LUMUT, April 7 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has launched the first Malaysian Armed Forces autism initiative - Ikhtiar Autisme Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (IA-ATM) - as a new effort to strengthen support for children with autism among members of the armed forces community.

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said that, as a start, the IA-ATM programme is being implemented at two locations, namely the Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre (PPDK) Lautan Kasih at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Base in Lumut and the PPDK at Kem Terendak, Melaka, involving a total of 20 children.

“We know this programme is part of the needs at the Ministry of Defence level through the Defence White Paper, where part of the responsibility is to safeguard the well-being of personnel, and in the context of autism, this involves their family members.

“Therefore, therapy training (under the IA-ATM programme) for these children with autism is very important, as their welfare must be given attention because it also affects the quality of service of defence personnel,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after officiating the launch of IA-ATM at the PPDK Lautan Kasih, RMN Base, Lumut, here today.

Also present were Western Fleet Commander vice-admiral Datuk Baharudin Wan Md Nor, the Armed Forces deputy assistant chief of staff (Personnel Services )(TAKSPA) Brigadier General Mohd Sam Mohd Yusof, and Lumut Base Commander First Admiral Jamaludin Sairi.

Also in attendance were Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) Group Syariah head Imran Mohamad Khayat and patron of the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) Datuk Megat Ahmad Shahrani Megat Sharuddin.

Adly said that the programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Social Welfare Department (JKM), and the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), while funding is supported by the TH as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“So far, the initiative is not limited to just 20 students, as there are about 55 children involved in total. However, at this initial stage, we are focusing on 20 children selected by NASOM and the PPDK itself.

“At the same time, we will also review our experience from the therapy conducted, identify areas for improvement, and enhance collaboration with GLCs (government-linked companies) and GLICs (government-linked investment companies),” he said.

The IA-ATM focuses on children with autism aged between three and 15 years old among the children of defence personnel, particularly those living in military camps.

Among the main objectives of the programme are to obtain input from parents and teachers regarding the welfare needs and well-being of children with autism, as well as to raise public awareness of social responsibility towards this group.

The IA-ATM programme is being implemented at the PPDK Lautan Kasih at the RMN Base Lumut from July 14, 2025 to May 7, 2026, and at PPDK Umi, Kem Terendak, Melaka from Aug 4, 2025 to June 4, 2026.

A total of 10 children with autism at each PPDK are undergoing Learning-Therapy sessions comprising 12 new modules specially designed by NASOM for the programme.

-- BERNAMA