Kota Kinabalu: Nominated assemblyman Datuk Chin Shu Ying
(pic) has proposed the establishment of a Sabah Autism Database to enable the State Government to better plan and provide services for children with autism across the state.
Speaking during the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill 2026 at the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, he said the database should be developed through collaboration between the Health Department, Education Department, Social Welfare Department, hospitals, schools and intervention centres.
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Chin said the lack of comprehensive data has hampered planning for schools, teachers, specialists, treatment centres and financial allocations, adding that many children have yet to undergo screening, receive an official diagnosis or register as Persons with Disabilities.
He also called on the State Government to formulate a comprehensive Autism Action Plan for Sabah, expand autism centres to other regions, strengthen support for special education, and provide greater assistance to non-governmental organisations, families and caregivers.
Chin said long-term planning should also include skills training, employment opportunities, independent living programmes and daily activity centres for adolescents and adults with autism, stressing that parents and caregivers should not be left to shoulder the responsibility alone.
