About one percent of the world’s population has been identified with autism. It is estimated that around 6 million persons with autism live in the ASEAN region, which is home to more than 625 million people. However, there is no accurate data source at the ASEAN level to validate the above estimate. In addition, a mapping of organizations of and for persons with autism, as well as support services and interventions available for persons with autism, is not yet existing at the ASEAN level. The above information are vital as a basis for developing laws and policies to protect the rights and promote the empowerment of persons with autism in ASEAN.
The proposed project aims to contribute towards the promotion and protection of the rights and empowerment of persons with autism in the ASEAN region. This will be done through a mapping of the situation of persons with autism in ASEAN and developing country profiles, which will include compiling an accurate data source on the prevalence of autism; developing a mapping of organizations of and for persons with autism to facilitate exchanges and cooperation between these organizations; and establish a directory of support services and interventions, which may include the newest trends and innovations available to persons with autism in the ASEAN region. The data and information generated by the mapping exercise will inform policy and program development that purposively targets persons with autism. Such data and information will be cascaded to the relevant government agencies and civil society organizations. This will be done through the conduct of workshops and events at the regional and national level to increase the awareness on autism in ASEAN.
The proposed project will be implemented for a period of two years by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), as the Implementing Agency, under the guidance and oversight of the Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) and ASEAN Secretariat.
The project outputs and corresponding indicators are as follows: An ASEAN profile on autism is developed; Developed policy recommendations by the ASEAN Autism Network and its members; and A mechanism for celebrating an annual Autism Awareness Day is developed at the ASEAN level.
