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TAWAU: The State Government is providing a monthly subsidy of RM350 to parents who send their children for treatment and therapy at registered autism intervention centres in the State.

Assistant Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Rina Jainal said the subsidy is aimed at easing the financial burden on parents.

She said fees at autism centres can exceed RM600 per month, making the assistance crucial for affected families.

“With the subsidy, parents will only need to pay about RM350, which helps reduce their financial burden.

“The State Government is mindful of the needs of parents with autistic children and hopes this assistance will help them obtain the best treatment,” she said.

Rina said this when met after officiating the World Autism Day celebration programme at Tawau Hospital auditorium on Monday. She said the initiative is in line with efforts to expand early intervention services through the establishment of the Sabah Autism Centre (Paus) under the State Welfare Department.

She said the centre is expected to be officially launched in May.

Meanwhile, the Paus Tawau centre, operating at Sri Stella Air Panas since early March, has enrolled more than 30 children.

Rina said autism cases among children are on the rise and the subsidy, together with the establishment of Paus, is important in expanding access to therapy and increasing public awareness.