Autism Services Non-existent in Cambodia

In Cambodia, only one in ten of all children and youth with disabilities receive any form of education, according to a 2009 report by Handicap International.

Among these children are the Cambodian autists, unrecognised, misunderstood, their families unable to make a living in their communities because of the burden of looking after their autistic child.

Autism is a developmental disability of communication and social functioning which is often severe and without intervention and support often leads to family breakdown and social exclusion. There is widespread misunderstanding of the condition, even in more developed countries. Without early recognition and intervention, children with the condition remain in a 'shut-in' state, unable to communicate or engage with the world around them. Their behaviour often becomes bizarre and destructive, and they become an immense burden on their families, not to mention the terrible suffering they are going through. Before awareness grew in America and Europe, autists were misdiagnosed, mistreated or overlooked by the care system. Adults with the condition often end up in mental health facilities where there condition is not understood. They are now considered to comprise 1% of the total childhood population in most western countries.

The following message was posted on an Autism message board :

"Very few people in Cambodia are aware of what is autism, even among high educated people. I met a number of kids who have signs and trail of autism behaviors such as non-verbal communication, repetitive behaviors, difficult with social interaction etc. My son 2 year old is diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). I have been trying to find a resource in Cambodia to help him for early intervention which I understand is very important. So far there are no appropriate resource including Speech Therapists and Occupational Therapists in Cambodia who can support. I would very much appreciate if someone can help me to guide where I can find a support for the intervention. Thank you very much."

In an effort to move this situation forward, we are engaged in an Autism Awareness Campaign. We are contacting Disability Charities and other agencies in Cambodia to try and convince them of the importance of identifying autism at an early age, and providing appropriate treatments and family support.

We are also trying to establish a local NGO in Cambodia to develop a treatment and family center here. If you have any help to offer, with information, contacts, or knowledge of families in Cambodia with an autistic child, we would like to hear from you. We are:

Active Learning Center,
Sihanoukville, Cambodia


 References:
http://www.tacanow.org/about-autism/