1 in 160 children with autism spectrum disorders

Figures from the World Health Organisation state that 1 in 160 children has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) while other studies have however reported substantially higher figures, some stating that 1% of the population has ASD, Maltese MEP Alfred Sant told a seminar on “An EU Autism Strategy to Leave No One Behind” at the European Parliament, Brussels.
Dr Sant referred to conclusions from the three-year EU funded project “Autism Spectrum Disorders in the European Union” (ASDEU) which shows the need of care is constantly increasing. People with ASD are still too often subject to humiliation and discrimination, including deprivation of opportunities to participate in the life of their communities.
The Maltese MEP refered to the conclusions from the ASDEU studies on developing a public health plan at an EU level. Dr Sant supported the observations on the needed actions, including those asking for coordination between Member States that would lead to a series of cross-sectoral national strategies based on common guidelines, and harmonised practices.
Dr Sant lauded Maltese Parliamentary Secretary Anthony Agius Decelis’ efforts in Malta to move away from the exclusion concept, and move towards the idea of a holistic society based on inclusion.

Maltese Version – IL-ĠIMGĦA 28 TA’ SETTEMBRU 2018

Figuri mill-Organizzazzjoni Dinjija tas-Saħħa jgħidu li 1 minn kull 160 tifel u tifla għandhom sinjali ta’ Awtiżmu filwaqt li studji oħra rrapportaw ċifri ogħla minn hekk, u jisħqu li 1% tal-popolazzjoni għandhom sinjali ta’ Awtiżmu, qal Alfred Sant f’seminar dwar ‘L-Istrateġija tal-UE dwar l-Awtiżmu Biex Ħadd ma Jibqa’ Lura’ fil-Parlament Ewropew fi Brussell.
Dr Sant semma l-konklużjonijiet tal-programm ta’ tliet snin iffinanzjat mill-UE ‘Autism Spectrum Disorders in the European Union’ (ASDEU) li juru l-ħtieġa ta’ kura kostanti. Persuni b’sinjali ta’ awtiżmu għadhom soġġetti għall-umiljazzjoni u d-diskriminazzjoni, u għadhom imċaħħda milli jipparteċipaw fil-komunitajiet tagħhom.
L-Ewroparlamentari Malti rrefera għal konklużjonijiet tal-istudju tal-ASDEU dwar l-iżvilupp ta’ pjan ta’ saħħa pubblika fuq livell Ewropew. Dr Sant tkellem favur il-ħtieġa ta’ azzjonijiet, li jinkludu koordinament bejn l-istati membri li jwassal għal numru ta’ strateġiji nazzjonali fil-pajjiżi tal-UE bbażati fuq linji gwida komuni u prattiċi armonizzati.
Dr Sant faħħar lis-Segretarju Parlamentari Anthony Agius Decelis għall-isforzi biex Malta timxi minn kunċett ta’ esklużjoni, għal wieħed ta’ soċjeta` ħolistika bbażata fuq l-inklużjoni.