Page 24 - Mainstreamer Volume 1 Issue 2 Feb 2023

Summary of
“Autism at a Glance
he Asia-Pacific Development Center on
Disability (APCD) initiated the “Autism
TMapping Project in the ASEAN Region.” This
project aimed to contribute to data collection,
policy recommendations, and awareness raising,
all of which are critical for building evidence-
based interventions that can remove barriers
encountered by autistic persons. One of the
primary outcomes of that project is the publication offered by ASEAN member states for persons with
of a document titled “Autism at a Glance in
ASEAN.”
This report compiles the region’s accessible
data on autism, with a focus on the number,
education, employment, health, and social welfare
programs for persons with autism. So far, APCD
has published two sections: “Autism at a Glance in
ASEAN Part I: Summary” and “Autism at a Glance
in ASEAN Part II: Country Profiles.” This summary
focuses on the former.
The first section of “Autism at a Glance in
ASEAN” consists of five chapters. Chapter 1
23 Vol. 01, Issue 2 | February 2023
in ASEAN: Part I”
Report
Summarized by Dr. Alias Abd Aziz
describes the methodology used in data collection
and analysis. Chapter 2 addresses the commitment
of ASEAN countries to protecting the rights of
persons with disabilities through international and
national legislations. Chapter 3 focuses on facts
and statistics on the number of autistic individuals,
as well as education, health, and employment.
Chapter 4 highlights the programs and services
autism in early intervention, and their education
and employment, as well as social and health
services. Chapter 5 discusses the challenges that
ASEAN members face in empowering autistic
people..
The “Autism at Glance in ASEAN” report is based
on data collected from stakeholders, including both
government and non-government organizations
from all ASEAN member states (AMS). The data
consists of primary and secondary data collected
from relevant ministries and NGOs through various
means such as workshops, interviews, and reports.
.