MALANG, Tugujatim.id — Indonesia is facing an autism crisis. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, there are currently 2.4 million children with autism in Indonesia. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 1 in 100 children born is diagnosed with autism and this number is likely to increase over time.
In response to this significant and growing issue, the Malang Autism Summit 2024 (MAS24), an international event attended by approximately 3,000 participants, declared 10 resolutions on the last day of the summit on Saturday, October 5, 2024. The summit, which started on Thursday, October 3, 2024, aimed to address the challenges surrounding autism in Indonesia.
The 10 resolutions from the Malang Autism Summit 2024 were delivered during the event’s closing ceremony by Dr. Amelia A. Daeng, M.Psi, a psychologist and founder of the Beloved Kanti Therapy Center in Malang. She represented participants, activists, and parents of children with autism.
These 10 resolutions were presented as recommendations to the government, aiming to create a more inclusive environment for children with special needs, particularly those with autism. It is expected that the Indonesian government will adopt these resolutions to address the growing autism crisis.
Here are the 10 resolutions from the Malang Autism Summit 2024:
1. Expand Early Detection and Diagnosis Programs.
2. Integrate Autism Training into Medical Curriculums.
3. Increase Access to Specialized Education.
4. Broaden Teacher Training on Autism.
5. Call for Comprehensive Research and Development (R&D) on Autism.
6. Provide Early Intervention in Care.
7. Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Holistic Care.
8. Develop Long-Term Support Policies from the Government.
9. Increase Employment Opportunities.
10. Raise Public Awareness.
Dr. Ida Ayu Made Wahyuni, S.H, M.Si, Assistant for Government and Public Welfare at Malang City, symbolically accepted the resolutions on behalf of the local government. She committed to delivering the resolutions to Acting Mayor Iwan Kurniawan, S.T, M.M, and ensuring they reach the Provincial and Central Governments.
These resolutions will help the government of Malang City in creating a more inclusive society for its residents. “We will present these resolutions to the Acting Mayor of Malang as input for the government to make society more inclusive and supportive,” she said.
Ida also praised the success of the Malang Autism Summit 2024, recognizing the event’s contribution to increasing public knowledge about autism and proper care for children with special needs.
“This program (MAS24) is excellent because it provides insights on how we should guide and take care of our children appropriately, along with counseling and other supportive services,” Ida added.
The Malang Autism Summit 2024, or MAS24, is a collaborative effort between Penawar Special Learning Centre (PSLC) Malaysia and Tugu Media Group Indonesia as a local partner.
The event was supported by Spekix Special Kids Expo, Drisana, Motherland, Amazing Malang, Difabel Creative Community, Omah Gembira, Stifin Genetic, MCC, JCDC, MI AR Roihan Lawang Malang, Rumah Terapi Anton Metode, KIDABA, and the Association of Disabled Artists and Craftsmen from Karanganyar, Central Java.
Ruwinah Abdul Karim, Clinical Director of Penawar Special Learning Centre Malaysia, emphasized that the fight for equality for autistic and special needs children is far from over.
“I dream of a day when children with autism are given equal opportunities, valued, and loved unconditionally,” she said in her closing remarks.
She encouraged teachers, activists, medical practitioners, and parents to continue loving and supporting children with special needs, just as they would with other children. “They don’t need pity, they need the opportunity to shine and live with dignity,” she concluded.
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Reporter : Bagus Rachmad Saputra
Editor: Darmadi Sasongko
