Lumut: The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has launched the first Malaysian Armed Forces autism initiative, Ikhtiar Autisme Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (IA-ATM), aimed at enhancing support for children with autism within the armed forces community.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari announced that the IA-ATM programme is initially being implemented at two locations: the Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre (PPDK) Lautan Kasih at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Base in Lumut and the PPDK at Kem Terendak, Melaka. This initiative currently involves 20 children.

Adly highlighted that the programme aligns with the Defence White Paper, which emphasizes the responsibility to safeguard the well-being of military personnel and their families, including those with autism. He stressed the importance of therapy training under the IA-ATM programme for these children, as their welfare impacts the service quality of defence personnel.

The launch event at PPDK Lautan Kasih, RMN Base, Lumut, was attended by several senior officials, including Western Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Datuk Baharudin Wan Md Nor and Lumut Base Commander First Admiral Jamaludin Sairi. Representatives from Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) and the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) were also present.

Adly elaborated that the programme is a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Social Welfare Department (JKM), and NASOM, with funding from TH as part of its corporate social responsibility. The initiative currently focuses on 20 children selected by NASOM and the PPDK, although there are about 55 children involved in total.

The IA-ATM targets children with autism aged three to 15 years old, particularly those residing in military camps. The programme's objectives include gathering input from parents and teachers about the needs of children with autism and raising public awareness of the social responsibility towards this group.

The IA-ATM programme at PPDK Lautan Kasih, RMN Base Lumut, runs from July 14, 2025, to May 7, 2026, and at PPDK Umi, Kem Terendak, Melaka, from August 4, 2025, to June 4, 2026. Ten children with autism at each PPDK are participating in Learning-Therapy sessions that include 12 new modules specifically designed by NASOM for the programme.