Low Mei Yee said staff working in these public spaces should also be educated about autism and trained in how to handle adults and children who are on the autism spectrum, and how to assist families when meltdowns happen.
“Our biggest concern for children with autism is the insensitivity they may face from society, especially in places where the child requires services – places such as schools, restaurants and workplaces,” she said.
“If people are not sufficiently aware about autism and their characteristics, they may misunderstand and mistreat people with autism who go out in public,” she said.
One safe space is in Sunway Putra Mall, which in 2019 installed features catering to autistic individuals such as low sensory stimulation shopping days and calm rooms.
The mall plans to work with the government this year to assist four families with autistic family members by providing them with life skills, daily necessities and education.
Ai Vee Tan, the head of marketing for Sunway Putra Mall, says the goal is to teach people and organisations to be understanding, accepting and inclusive of the autistic and neurodiverse community.
“This reduces anxiety and triggers as well as helps the neurodiverse communicate, thus easing the challenges they face as well as the people around them,” she said.
“Autistic individuals have a wide range of needs, challenges, and abilities. Their differences in communication and learning are different from person to person.”
People with autism spectrum disorder have problems with communicating and relating to other people and the outside world and are often misunderstood as being naughty, defiant, or rude.
The National Autism Society of Malaysia says autism is often detected by the age of three. Those with autism may display atypical patterns of activities and behaviours such as a focus on details, unusual reactions to sensations, and difficulty transitioning from one activity to another.
Although some people with autism require lifelong care and support, others can live independently or with minimal assistance.
The World Health Organization estimates one in 100 children have autism, with four times as many boys being diagnosed with autism than girls.
The United Nations has declared April 2 as world autism awareness day.