Autistic kids need more gov’t support: experts

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a lack of qualified facilities and government support policies, while parents lack sufficient knowledge about the disorder, experts said at a conference held in HCM City on August 29.
Autistic kids need more gov’t support: experts ảnh 1A conference on autism spectrum disorder was held in HCM City on August 29. (Source: VNA)

HCM City (VNS/VNA) - Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)face a lack of qualified facilities and government support policies, whileparents lack sufficient knowledge about the disorder, experts said at aconference held in HCM City on August 29.

The conference, with the theme “Autism: a Matter of Family and Society,” wasorganised by the Vietnam Fatherland Front of HCM City underthe attendance of professionals, experts and parents.

Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that generally appearsbefore the age of three, according to the National Autism Association. Autisticchildren often have unusual responses to sensory inputs, and struggle withlanguage, speech and sensory skills.

Nguyen Thanh Tam, Director of the city’s Integrated Education Support Centrefor Children with Disabilities, said hospitals with pediatricdepartments, health centres and educational psychology facilitiescould test children for autism.

However, the test results may not agree because they depend on the type ofdiagnostic technology used at different facilities.

A lack of coordination among the testing facilities can affect the initialsupportive therapy for autistic children.

“Interaction is an indispensable activity in the interventionand supportive therapies for children with ASD,” he said.

Caring and creating equality in health care, as well as access tobasic social services such as education and social security, arethe best ways to approach autistic children and adults, according to Tam.

The issue concerns families and society, but it is also the responsibility of theentire community, and commitment and enthusiasm are required.

"A society that accepts and respects diversity will provide the best waysand better opportunities for children with ASD to integrate intosociety,” he said.

He said the education sector should create a friendly,safe, inclusive and equitable academic environment forautistic children.

Ngo Xuan Diep from the Psychology Department at the HCM CityUniversity of Social Sciences and Humanities, said that,according to the department’s recent surveys, there are more than 100 methodsof interventions and occupational therapies to fight autism in the US,while Vietnam has about 30.
Doctors and scientists have still not been able to identify theexact cause of autism and the best ways to deal with it.

Analysis shows that each method can solve only one problem in autism spectrumdisorders.

For caretakers and parents, “it is necessary to provide treatment focused onpsychological intervention related to the field of educationalpsychology, not only the medical field,” Diep said.

"More effective results occur if children diagnosed with ASD receive anintervention before they are four years old. The earlierthe child gets professional intervention, the better the outcomewill be,” he said.

HCM City has numerous service facilities and centres for autisticchildren, including about 10 legally recognised facilities.

However, many of the facilities face a lack of officials withreal expertise, and are not strictly controlled by authorised agencies.

The city should lead the country in developing a support policy for autisticchildren and their parents, conduct more research, and compile statisticsrelated to autism, Diep said.

He also proposed developing a model that would combine family andspecialised schools for children with ASD in HCM City.

Pham Hong Nhung of Binh Thanh district, who has an autistic child, said herchild faced problems accessing education and health care.

She hopes the Government will offer more training courses for parents and giverecommendations about the best schools and service facilities for theirchildren.

“Stigma and discrimination against autistic childrenput great pressure on both kids and parents,” she said.

She said the Government should help changethe community’s mindset about children who are autistic.-VNS/VNA
VNA

See more

A screenshot. (Photo: bnews.vn.png)

Vietnam’s digital map updates 34 provincial-level administrative units

An 1:1,000,000-scale administrative map of Vietnam online and in digital *.pdf format will be released once the National Assembly’s Resolution on the reorganisation of provincial-level administrative units in 2025 takes effect in oder to promptly support the Prime Minister’s direction and administration, support state management by ministries, sectors, and localities; and meet requirements of organisations and individuals.

The China Higher Education Exhibition convenes in Hanoi on June 12, with the participation of 28 top Chinese universities. (Photo: vnu.edu.vn)

Vietnam, China foster academic cooperation

VNU Hanoi held a signing ceremony for a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between VNU Hanoi, Nanjing University, and Sunwah Group, as well as an MoU between VNU Hanoi, Shandong University, and Goertek Group.

The Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Security Agency initiates a bribery investigation targeting former Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan. (Photo: VNA)

Legal proceedings launched against ex-official for taking bribes

The Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Security Agency has initiated a bribery investigation targeting former Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan and three other other officials, in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC (Hoang Long CMS) and several affiliated units.

Vietnam is working to ensure children's right to a fulfilling childhood. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam works to end child labour

Over the past decades, Vietnam has made strides in protecting children’s rights, especially efforts to reduce child labour, one of the most daunting challenges in developing countries.

PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Sweden on June 11. (Photo: VNA)

PM meets with Vietnamese community in Sweden

PM Pham Minh Chinh said that efforts by the Vietnamese community in Sweden to contribute to their host society are also acts of patriotism, and that all contributions are deeply appreciated.