Virtual Booth

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a growing global public health concern, with prevalence rising by nearly 300% over the past two decades. In the United States, 1 in 31 children is now diagnosed with ASD (CDC, 2023). In Malaysia, although national prevalence data remain limited, the Department of Social Welfare reported an 815% increase in children registered with autism over the last ten years (MOWFCD, 2024). This surge highlights an urgent need for scalable early intervention solutions. However, Malaysia faces a severe shortage of qualified Speech-Language Therapists (SLTs), with only one SLT per 250,000 people, leaving many families, especially in rural areas, without timely support. Existing models are often adapted from Western contexts, lacking relevance to Malaysia’s cultural, linguistic, and systemic realities. In response, PICA2Home was developed independently under the auspices of the Ministry of Health (MOH), making it the first locally developed, parent-implemented social communication intervention model within MOH settings. The model trains SLTs to coach parents in delivering evidence-based social communication strategies at home using daily routines. It is rooted in Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Interventions (NDBI) and adult learning principles, ensuring cultural and contextual appropriateness. Evaluated by 27 Malaysian SLTs, over 90% agreed on its clinical suitability. Thematic feedback affirmed its flexibility, parent empowerment, and usability. Distinctly novel, PICA2Home was co-designed with Malaysian SLTs and families, includes multilingual resources, and was validated through expert consensus (Fuzzy Delphi Method) and usability testing (Modified Nominal Group Technique). Its sustainability is supported by modular toolkits, train-the-trainer strategies, and digital platforms. By embedding care in the home, PICA2Home enhances access, reduces therapist dependency, and aligns with national priorities and SDGs 3 and 4, offering a transformative, equitable model for early autism intervention in Malaysia.

Keyword: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Parent-Implemented Intervention, Speech-Language Therapists, PICA2Home Model, Early Intervention