Boosting Autism Support: Experts Urge Qualified Staff for New Centres in Malaysia
PETALING JAYA – As Malaysia looks to expand dedicated autism education centres, leading academics and experts are stressing a critical prerequisite: ensuring a sufficient number of highly qualified personnel. The rapid growth in awareness and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has understandably led to calls for more specialised support services. However, without a parallel commitment to training and recruiting skilled professionals, these new centres risk falling short of providing the quality care and education that individuals with autism deserve.
“Simply opening more centres isn’t enough,” explains Dr. Aisha Rahman, a renowned developmental psychologist at Universiti Malaya. “We need to ensure that each centre has a team comprising experienced special education teachers, therapists (occupational, speech, and behavioural), and trained support staff. These individuals need specific expertise in autism interventions and a deep understanding of the diverse needs within the spectrum.”
The current landscape in Malaysia faces a significant shortage of qualified professionals in the autism field. Many existing centres grapple with high staff turnover and a lack of continuous professional development opportunities. This impacts the consistency of care and can hinder the progress of individuals receiving support.
Addressing the Staffing Gap: A Multi-Pronged Approach
Experts suggest a comprehensive strategy to address this gap, including:
- Increased Training Programs: Expanding university programs and vocational training courses focused on autism education and therapy is crucial. Scholarships and financial aid should be offered to attract more students to these fields.
- Professional Development: Providing ongoing training and mentorship opportunities for existing professionals is essential to keep them updated on the latest research and best practices.
- Attractive Compensation and Working Conditions: Offering competitive salaries and benefits, along with supportive work environments, will help retain qualified staff and attract new talent.
- Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing: Fostering collaboration between centres, universities, and international experts can facilitate knowledge sharing and improve the overall quality of services.
- Raising Public Awareness: Increasing public understanding of autism and the importance of qualified professionals can garner greater support for these initiatives.
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health have a vital role to play in coordinating these efforts and ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to support the growth of autism services in Malaysia. Investing in qualified personnel is not merely an operational requirement; it is a fundamental investment in the future of individuals with autism and their families.
“We need to shift our focus from simply providing a place for children with autism to go, to providing them with the highest quality support that empowers them to reach their full potential,” concludes Dr. Rahman. “This requires a dedicated and skilled workforce, and a long-term commitment to building capacity in this vital area.”
The expansion of autism centres in Malaysia holds immense promise, but its success hinges on prioritizing the recruitment, training, and retention of qualified personnel. Only then can we truly ensure that individuals with autism receive the support they need to thrive.