By DayakDaily Team
KOTA SAMARAHAN, July 6: The placement of a 19-year-old autistic teenager who was previously seen chained at a care centre was carried out under a court order and with the consent of his parents, following an assessment of his condition.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the decision was not made arbitrarily, but after the Social Welfare Department (JKM) explained to the parents the challenges in managing the teenager, who has exhibited aggressive behaviour.
“However, before any action was taken, they obtained a court order and the parents’ consent for an alternative placement.
“The parents also could not continue caring for him due to his aggressive behaviour. The child is autistic but aggressive. So the parents agreed for him to be placed at our care centre for now,” she was quoted by TVS as saying after officiating the Sarawak Orchid Association (SARORSO) Third Graduation Ceremony here today.
Nancy added that no action would be taken against the care centre involved, as investigations found no wrongdoing, with the measures taken linked to the teenager’s behavioural condition.
However, she said JKM has reminded the centre’s management to continue prioritising the safety and welfare of residents, and to seek medical advice on the best approaches to manage individuals with aggressive tendencies.
“Counselling sessions have also been provided to the teenager, his family, and the care centre. The centre will also carry out more frequent monitoring with the involvement of the child protection team,” she stated.
Nancy said a Sarawak General Hospital report confirmed that the teenager has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) accompanied by intellectual disability and challenging behavioural issues.
She added that the report also recorded a history of multiple psychiatric ward admissions.
The teenager’s condition is currently stable at the care centre, but he still requires close monitoring.
As a result, the centre has limited his father’s visits to once a month, with each visit required to be spaced more than three weeks apart from the previous one. — DayakDaily
