Arya News - Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said early screening is crucial to ensuring affected children receive timely intervention and support.
GUA MUSANG – The Education Ministry is urging parents to enrol their children early in screening programmes designed to detect learning difficulties, including autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said early screening is crucial to ensuring affected children receive timely intervention and support.
“We are observing the ministry’s intervention preparations to facilitate the early detection of learning difficulties,” she said after attending the 2026 Parliamentary Follow-up Programme at SK Gua Musang yesterday.
“Conditions such as autism and ADHD can be identified through these vital screenings.”
Fadhlina encouraged parents who notice developmental delays to seek free ministry assessments, which include speech therapy and psychological evaluations.
“Psychologists will assess the children’s overall development and offer recommendations to guide their learning process,” she explained, inviting parents to utilise available specialists.
She stressed the importance of parental involvement, adding that the government provides the screening services free of charge.
“It is important for parents to take an active role, as the government provides these services for free.
“We invite all parents to participate in these screenings so that our children can continue to receive the support they need,” she said, Bernama reported.
Fadhlina also said the ministry is prioritising literacy and numeracy proficiency among pupils, with efforts being strengthened through interventions and support from teachers and parents.
“We do not use the term ‘illiteracy’. Instead, we focus on strengthening literacy and numeracy proficiency at various levels,” she said.
She said the approach also covered Orang Asli children to ensure they do not fall behind and continue to receive priority and attention in education.