Permata Kurnia Centre best solution for autistic children

Its director, Assoc Prof Dr Hasnah Toran said all the teachers at the centre had undergone the relevant training, and were certified to handle children with Autism, with collaboration from the Skills Development Department under the Ministry of Human Resources.

"The teachers here are all young, they are very 'energetic' and day-by-day show encouraging improvements, which positively impacts the children under their care," he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, Mohd Hafiz Maszron, 31, a father of one of the students at the centre, said he had tried many ways to provide the best care for his child previously, but failed.

However, after joining the centre, his five year-old has shown much improvement, the most prominent of which was he no longer required to wear diapers, and had started 'toilet training'.

"Luth (his son) also knows how to adapt to the environment now. Before, he did not care (about about those around him) and just screamed when he wanted something.

Zareena Shamarudin, who enrolled her son Muhd Ziyad, five, at the centre last December, said he had shown great improvement.

"It's unbelievable, previously, it was difficult for my son to even sit still, let alone study like other children. However, after nearly six months, he has gained the interest to learn, and can understand the instructions given to him," she said.

The Permata Kurnia centre located in Sentul, which specialises in the education and development of children with Autism, is the brainchild of Permata's patron Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who is the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.