Our Story - IDEAS Autism Centre and Ideas Academy

IDEAS Autism Centre (IAC) was established in 2012 in Rawang, Selangor, by the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) Berhad (940689-W) as part of our effort to provide care for those in need, and at the same time to research and develop a sustainable non-profitable model that can be replicated to help underprivileged children.

IAC aspires to fulfil the primary objectives in maximising important benefits to society. We believe good quality care should be accessible to everyone and we provide Early Intervention Programmes that serve young children with autism. Early intervention may change the trajectory of a child’s development where they are more likely to have major long-term positive effects on symptoms, helping them assimilate themselves into mainstream primary schools, and for a greater chance, later in life, of living independently and participating in society.

Our main centre in Rawang is purpose-built and customised to suit the needs of children with autism and it caters to families with per capita of less than RM1,500.

With the generous support we have been receiving from our main partner, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), and 25 other organisations, we have been able to provide autistic children from low-income families with quality care, education and therapy services at the centre, allowing parents to remain in or return to employment.

Our new centre in Nilai was opened in January 2022. This centre offers quality care and education for autistic children at affordable rates. Some of the funds will be used to help children from an underprivileged background in our centre in Rawang.