200 educators complete ABAT training with EAP Malaysia, complementing SALAM Autisme YSD’s broader effort that has trained 448 special education teachers through IAC, expanding early intervention and capacity building supported by the MADANI Government 

SALAM Autisme Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), the autism-focused flagship initiative under Program SINAR YSD, today celebrated key milestones in advancing autism support through the successful completion of Applied Behaviour Analysis Technician (ABAT) training for 200 educators and caregivers. This effort is supported by the Ministry of Finance under Belanjawan 2025.  

Launched in April 2025 by YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II, SALAM Autisme YSD—Sentuhan Autisme Lestari Anak Malaysia—stands as a flagship initiative under Program SINAR YSD (Sokongan Inklusif Autisme, Remaja, dan Komuniti Rentan). The programme is designed to expand access to early intervention and build capacity, particularly for B40 families and underserved communities. In collaboration with Early Autism Project (EAP) and IDEAS Autism Centre (IAC), SALAM Autisme YSD provides community scholarships for ABA training and delivers specialised upskilling for special education teachers and district education officers nationwide. 

As the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad, YSD works with partners to widen access to quality support for children living with autism and their families. Through the SALAM Autisme YSD programme in collaboration with EAP Malaysia, the initiative successfully reached all states in Malaysia, ensuring nationwide access to autism support. Held at SD Guthrie Tower, the SALAM Autisme: EAP ABAT Training Completion Ceremony at SD Guthrie Tower celebrated scholarships awarded to teachers, NGO practitioners and parents nationwide. From 317 applicants, 200 participants were selected, representing 57 NGO centres and organisations, and are now supporting over 800 children in schools, community centres and homes. 
 
Through the SALAM Autisme YSD grant, all 200 participants received full sponsorship for the training, while 20 selected candidates are now receiving supervised practice to prepare for the international ABAT certification exam, further strengthening professional standards in autism support. The ABAT course is a 40-hour foundational training in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) delivered by EAP Malaysia. It meets the credential requirements of the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA), with EAP serving as an approved Coursework Provider. Importantly, the programme successfully covered all states in Malaysia, ensuring nationwide access to quality autism support training. 

In addition to ABAT training, SALAM Autisme YSD also reinforces inclusive education through a collaboration with its long-term partner IDEAS Autism Centre (IAC). Under Program SINAR YSD, IAC has trained 448 Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI) teachers and officers across six states, with 99% reporting increased confidence in supporting students with autism. This effort will benefit more than 8,000 students through improved teaching strategies and inclusive classroom practices. These training modules are currently under review by the Ministry of Education for nationwide rollout via the DELIMA portal, ensuring sustainable impact in classrooms. 

Building on these achievements, IDEAS and IAC have released a policy brief titled Advancing Outcomes for Children with Autism through Educator Training. The brief consolidates insights from Program SINAR YSD and highlights strategies to scale specialist teacher training nationwide. It also calls for sustained investment in research, advocacy, and inclusive practices to ensure equitable learning opportunities for children with autism. 

Y.A.M. Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz; Chairman of the Board of Directors, IDEAS Autism Centre, said: “The results of the policy brief are definitive: we’ve increased educator knowledge and equipped hundreds of teachers with practical skills to transform their classrooms. This programme, supported by Yayasan Sime Darby and the Ministry of Education, is institutionalising quality autism education. We should expand this successful model to reach more vulnerable communities and educators across the nation.”  
 
Dr Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin, Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan Sime Darby, said:  
“When we launched SALAM Autisme YSD earlier this year, our priority was clear: to invest in the people who stand beside children with autism every day—their teachers, caregivers, and families. These are the champions who shape futures, and by empowering them, we ensure that every child receives support that is structured, respectful, and filled with empathy. Our investment is opening doors for inclusive education, so children with autism can thrive in classrooms and communities. With the backing of the government under Belanjawan 2025, this is just the beginning—a movement to build a network of dedicated practitioners who will help children learn, communicate, and belong.” 

Jochebed Isaacs, Director of Early Autism Project Malaysia, said: 
“Since EAP started almost 20 years ago, we have seen significantly effective results with the children we have worked with, many being able to speak fluently, close their developmental gap, and transition to mainstream schools. We have hoped to reach many more families and NGOs across Malaysia and through 200 scholarships for the ABAT®️ course, we have seen teachers, parents and NGO staff from every state learn how to use effectively teach children with autism utilising ABA strategies such as positive reinforcement, break down skills into smaller steps, the use of visuals and managing challenging behaviours. Their willingness to learn and apply ABA strategies gives us great hope that more children living with autism – including those in rural and lower-income communities – will have access to quality autism support.” 

For participants, the training has translated quickly into classroom practice. Darren, an ABAT supervision participant from Kuching Autistic Association, shared that the course has strengthened the team’s skills and made it easier for teachers to manage challenging behaviours among their students. 

He said: “We currently have 170 children at our centre. The ABAT course by EAP has opened our eyes to better ways of supporting them, especially in managing challenging behaviours. We’ve shared these insights with other teachers, which has made a big difference. I hope more ABA trainings can be organised for technicians, teachers, parents, and even the wider community, so that everyone can learn the right approaches to help children with autism in Malaysia thrive and reach their fullest potential.” 

 
Program SINAR YSD is supported by a RM5 million allocation from the MADANI Government under Belanjawan 2025, enabling YSD to collaborate with partners and build a comprehensive network of care across 11 states. Since its introduction in December 2024, the programme has reached over 20,000 individuals—including teenage mothers, girls at risk, children with autism, and vulnerable families—through 14 impactful initiatives. SALAM Autisme YSD forms the autism focused component of this wider effort, equipping educators, especially those serving B40 families, with practical skills so that children living with autism can learn, grow and belong in their communities. 

 
SINAR YSD partners include Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak (PPIS), which operates Sarawak’s first transit shelter for pregnant teenagers, Good Shepherd Services (GSS) in Sabah, EAP Malaysia, IAC, One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) Sarawak, and Persatuan Autism Terengganu (PAUT) for early intervention and autism inclusive support; I-Medik, OrphanCare Foundation, and Jabatan Kesihatan Bahagian Miri for reproductive health awareness and teenage pregnancy prevention; and Rumah Perlindungan Bayt Al-Rahmah, GenerasiKu Sayang (GKS) and ReHAK in Kelantan to create safer spaces and improve access to sexual and reproductive health education.