Executive Summary

The “National Consultation Meeting on the Laws and Policies Related to Autism in Viet Nam” was held at the Army Guest House, Ha Noi, Viet Nam on 2 December 2014. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) and the Viet Nam Autism Network (VAN) with the support of the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The meeting, participated by more than 70 individuals unanimously agreed for the adoption of the “Ha Hoi Recommendations” that called the Government of Viet Nam to particularly consider autism in developing the laws and regulations for persons with disabilities, and policies related to developmental disabilities. The recommendation also includes the involvement of individuals and organizations representing persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in the process of developing and amending laws, policies and related legal documents, as well as the desire of the Viet Nam Autism Network (VAN) to become a social organization with full legal status.

Participants

• Representatives of the Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam

• Representatives from the Viet Nam Federation on Disability

• Parents from the Viet Nam Autism Network (VAN) and from its different clubs

• Representatives of the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD)

• Representatives of United Nations agencies, local and international NGOs

• Individuals

Session 1: Opening

• Ms. Ha Thi Minh Duc, Deputy Director General, International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs, on behalf of H.E. Mr. Nguyen Trong Dam, Deputy Minister of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs; Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability; and Ms. Dang Huynh Mai, Chairwoman of Viet Nam Federation on Disability, delivered the opening speeches for the Meeting.

• The opening speeches expressed deep concerns and solidarity with the parents having children with autism. The speakers cited the Workshop on the Road Map for the Establishment of the Viet Nam Autism Network (VAN) from 29 to 30 August 2013 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam as a crucial step in the recognition of this emerging group and in bringing autism into the mainstream of society. The speakers mentioned their respective initiatives in support of VAN and the autism community in Viet Nam through policy advocacy, recognition of VAN as an association of autism and through technical guidance. Lastly, the speakers reiterated their commitment to VAN and to all persons with autism and their families in Viet Nam.

Session 2: International Policies and Laws Related to Autism

• Recent Measures by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for Persons with Developmental Disabilities in Japan by Mr. Masafumi Hizume, Senior Specialist for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Department of Health and Welfare for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Welfare of Japan. Mr. Hizumi shared the history of the laws and policy making for persons with disabilities in Japan since the 1950s. He also shared useful information and definition of developmental disabilities for parents of persons with autism and for policy makers. Based on studies conducted, the Government of Japan established comprehensive programs and support systems for persons with disabilities in Japan.

• Recent Measures by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for Persons with Autism in the Philippines by Mr. Ranilo Sorongon, Expert on Autism, APCD and Secretariat of ASEAN Autism Network (AAN). Mr. Sorongon mentioned some major laws on disability in the Philippines that serve as the legal basis for the creation of programs and services for Filipinos with disabilities. The laws are also the foundation for the active involvement and participation of persons with disabilities in all matters affecting them. Mr. Sorongon also shared Presidential Proclamation 711, the only autism-specific law at present in Southeast Asia, the law that mandates every third week of January in the Philippines as the Autism Consciousness Week. He strongly urged parents to actively participate as representatives of their children with autism in all matters affecting these children, and also serve as advocates of autism.

Session 3: Sharing Policies and Laws on Persons with Disabilities Including Autism and the Implementation in Viet Nam

• Policies on People with Disability and Orientation to Autism by Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Deputy Director General of the Department of Social Protection, Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs of Viet Nam. Mr. Toan shared studies and statistics on the status of persons with disabilities in Viet Nam as well as the implementation of policies for persons with disabilities. He stressed that all current laws and policies on persons with disabilities also apply to persons with autism. But in the current practice, the subsidies and support are determined and prioritized according to the level of disability rather than the category of disabilities. Mr. Toan mentioned his plan to give priority to children with disabilities in general, and children with autism in particular.

• Implementation of Laws and Policies on Autism in Viet Nam by Dr. Vu Song Ha, MD, Vice Director, Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population. Dr. Ha shared the study she conducted to determine the real situation on the enforcement of laws and policies for children with autism. The study revealed that the number of children with autism is increasing but there are no adequate statistics on the number and levels of autism. There is even a lack of a uniform checklist to diagnose and assess children that exhibit symptoms of autism. The services of assessment, diagnosis, intervention, treatment, education and care are very short term and weak. There is limited coordination among the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Training and Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs (Welfare Bureau). Almost all expenses for children with autism, which is often very expensive, are shouldered by the family. Children with severe autism and poor families are at a very disadvantaged situation. They find it difficult to get access to any health services and public education. There are some children with severe autism who need to be provided with disability certification and social welfare allowance and other children with autism who also need specific policies and support but were not given adequate attention. Parents of children with autism are always worried about their child’s future and are hoping that appropriate policies to help their children will be available soon.

Session 4: Adoption of Ha Noi Recommendations on Laws and Policies Related to Autism in Viet Nam

• Ms. Dang Huynh Mai, Chairwoman of Viet Nam Federation on Disability, facilitated the drafting of the “Ha Noi Recommendations on Laws and Policies Related to Autism in Viet Nam”. The recommendations were unanimously adopted by the participants.

Session 5: Closing

• The Chairperson of VAN, and representatives of MOLISA, VFD and APCD delivered their closing messages. They conveyed their gratitude to all the participants and the supporters of the Meeting. They also reiterated their commitment to Make the Right Real for persons with autism in Viet Nam.

Key Outcomes of the Consultation Meeting

• Overview of legal framework on disability and autism in Japan and the Philippines

• Overview of legal framework and policies on persons with disabilities and autism in Viet Nam

• Adoption of Ha Noi Recommendations on Laws and Policies Related to Autism in Viet Nam by the participants

Ha Noi Recommendations

On the Laws and Policies

Related to Persons with Autism in Viet Nam

We, the participants of the Consultation Meeting on the Laws and Policies Related to Persons with Autism in Viet Nam on December 2, 2014, from Viet Nam Autism Network (VAN), relevant national and local government organizations, Vietnamese and international organizations and individuals.

Recognizing the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the World Health Assembly Resolution 67.8 of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the “Comprehensive and Coordinated Efforts for the Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders”, the Bali Declaration on the Enhancement of the Role and Participation of the Persons with Disabilities in ASEAN Community, Mobilization Framework of the ASEAN Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2011-2020) and the ASEAN Strategic Framework on Social Welfare and Development (2011-2015), the Bandar Seri Begawan Recommendations on Autism, and other international documents related to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD);

In view of the stated perspectives, we recommend the following:

1. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) need to be considered by the Government of Viet Nam in developing the laws and regulations for persons with disabilities, and policies related to developmental disabilities. ASD needs to be included in the classification of disabilities and legitimated by legal documents to lay down the foundation for solving issues related to ASD in Viet Nam.

2. Individuals and organizations representing persons with ASD should be actively involved in the process of developing and amending laws, policies and related legal documents.

3. The Viet Nam Autism Network (VAN) should be supported to become a social organization with full legal status.

We deeply thank the organizers of the consultation meeting: The Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Viet Nam Autism Network (VAN), and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD). We also thank the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) for their support to this event.

Above are our consensus at the Consultation Meeting on the Laws
and Policies Related to Autism in Viet Nam
December 2, 2014

Programme

08:00-09:00

- Registration

- Performance by Persons with Autism in Hanoi

09:00-09:30

Opening

- Welcome Remarks by Ms. Ha Thi Minh Duc, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs of Viet Nam

- Opening Remarks by Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

- Opening Message by Ms. Dang Huynh Mai, Chairwoman, Viet Nam Federation on Disability

- Group Photo

09:30-10:45

International Policies and Laws Related to Autism

- Recent Measures by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for Persons with Developmental Disabilities in Japan by Mr. Masafumi Hizume, Senior Specialist for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Department of Health and Welfare for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Welfare of Japan

- Recent Measures by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for Persons with Autism in the Philippines by Mr. Ranil Sorongon, Expert on Autism, Secretariat of ASEAN Autism Network/APCD

- Q & A

10:45-11:00

Refreshment Break

11:00-12:00

Sharing Policies and Laws on People with Disabilities Including Autism and the Implementation in Viet Nam

- Policies on People with Disability and Orientation to Autism by Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Deputy Director General, Department of Social Protection, Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam

- Implementation of Laws and Policies on Autism in Vietnam by Dr. Vu Song Ha, MD, Vice Director, Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population

- Q & A

12:00-13:00

Lunch Break

13:30-15:00

Draft Ha Noi Recommendations on Laws and Policies Related to Autism

- Discussion / Q & A

15:00-15:15

Refreshment Break

15:15-16:30

- Discussion / Q & A

16:30-17:00

Closing

- Adoption of Recommendations

- Closing Remarks by Ms. Pham Thi Yen, Chairperson, Viet Nam Autism Network

- Closing Remarks by Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

- Closing Remarks by Ms. Ha Thi Minh Duc, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs of Viet Nam

Presentations

Recent Measures by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for Persons with Developmental Disabilities in Japan

By Mr. Masafumi Hizume

Senior Specialist for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Department of Health and Welfare for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Welfare of Japan

Slide 1

Recent Measures by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for Persons with Developmental Disorders

Masafumi Hizume

Senior Specialist for Persons with Developmental Disorders

Welfare Division for Persons with Disabilities

Department of Health and Welfare for Persons with Disabilities

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Slide 2

Community Develoment that Persons with Disabilities Can Live Ordinary Lives

An illustration showing the many different ways persons with disabilities can live ordinary lives by having accessible environments, consultation support systems, and a well-established network among persons and organizations.

Slide 3

History of Measures on Persons with Disabilities

A chart showing the various Disabilities-related laws that have been passed and ratified in Japan beginning in 1949 to present

Slide 4

Purport of the Services and Support for Persons with Disabilities Act 2006

A detailed explanation of the disability situation before and after reforms by law, which included the resolution of differences among systems for three kinds of disabilities, the reorganization of facility systems into 33 types, the establishment of new programs of support for employment, the enforcement of the responsibility of the state, to name some.

Slide 5

Purport: Basic Guidelines on the 4th Phase of the Plan for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities (2015-2017)

A diagram showing the Introduction of the PDCA cycle, which reviews and clarifies ‘targets to be achieved’ and ‘activity indicator’ results for each fiscal year, as well as the specific measures for the process. Specific measures include:

- the promotion of transfer from social welfare institutions to community life

- the promotion of transfer from mental hospitals to community life

- the establishment of local support bases for community life

- the promotion of transfer of work settings from social welfare institutions into enterprises

- the establishment of systems for support for children with disabilities

- the enhancement of cooperation and trainings of consultation for support plans and prevention of abuse

Slide 6

2012 measures against abuse of persons with disabilities (local authorities)

A chart showing how home visit care services expanded for persons with severe disabilities who were exposed to various kinds of abuses and the number of trainings established about persons with profound behavioral disorders from 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013

Slide 7

Subsidy for employment development of designated persons with developmental disorders and intractable diseases patients

A detailed description of the difficulties persons with developmental disorders experience in social interactions and communication, and other limitations they face when working. In order to promote employment of persons with developmental disabilities, subsidies are given employers who employ them.

Slide 8

Case examples of preferred orderigns from Central Government Ministries

A listing of the commodities (books and office supplies, food and beverage, others) and services (printing, laundry, cleaning, etc).

Slide 9

Outline and Aims of the Act on Support for Persons with Developmental Disorders

A detailed description of the history of the facilities assisting persons with developmental disabilities from 1980 to 2010, plus an explanation of the aims and definitions of what comprises the Welfare Act

Slide 10

Definition of Developmental Disorders

A detailed explanation of various developmental disorders and learning disabilities, and the laws established for the support of such disabilities, including the Basic Act for the Disabled Persons, Services and Support for Persons with Disabilities Act, Child Welfare Act, Persons with Disabilities Abuse Prevention Act, Act for Prohibition of Discrimination against Disabled Persons, and the Disabled Persons’ Employment Promotion Act.

Slide 11

Research findings on the prevalence of developmental disorders and the changes from 2008-2010 and 2011-2013 supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare fo Japan

Slide 12

Establishment of support system for persons with developmental disorders in Japan’s prefectures, designated cities and municipalities, including the dissemination of assessment tools, special needs education related programs, support for families, to name some.

Slide 13

Information and support center for persons with developmental disorders

A screenshot of the website of www.rehab.go.jp/ddis. Features on the site include:

- information on laws and measures, and researches relevant to Development Disorders (DD)

- an information center on Education for persons with DD

- accessibility features in its fonts, display and colors, plus voice browser and apt translations

- organized information by target groups, beginners, persons with DD and their families, supporters, as well as by age, infants and school periods, adolescenes and adulthood

Recent Measures by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for Persons with Autism in the Philippines

By Mr. Ranil Sorongon

Expert on Autism, Secretariat of ASEAN Autism Network/APCD

Slide 1

Recent Measures by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for Persons with Disabilities - Philippines

Ranilo Sorongon

Secretariat APCD/AAN

Slide 2

- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

- Ministerial Declaration on the Asia and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022, and the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific

- Presidential Proclamation 688 - 2013-2022 Philippine Decade of “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities

Slide 3

A diagram showing the major Philippine laws on disability, which translate national policies into local programs and services.

Slide 4

Major Laws on Disabilities

Batas Pambansa 344 - Accessibility Law

Republic Act 7277 - Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities

Republic Act 9442 - Discounts and Privileges for Persons with Disabilities

Republic Act 10070 - Creation of Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office

Republic Act 10366 - Accessible Polling Places

Republic Act 10524 - Positions Reserved for Persons with Disabilities

Republic Act 10372 - Copyright Law

Slide 5

Major Recent Measures

Slide 6

Disability Sensitivity Orientation/Training

Visuals and diagram showing how trainings change the public perception towards disability from being objects of charity to citizens with rights, which leads to inclusion in society.

Slide 7

Promoting Inclusion and Participation at the Local Level

1. Strengthening of Regional Council on Disability Affairs as a link to field offices of national government agencies, local government units, disabled people’s organizations and NGOs working on disability issues in every region as partners in monitoring and evaluation of disability policies and programs at the local level

Slide 8

2. Promoting the establishment of disability structures (persons with disability affairs offices, committees on disability, project teams, etc) as a venue of participation with persons with disabilities in local governance

3. Community-based disability inclusive development - promoting community-based rehabilitation as a strategy to include persons with disabilities in planning, development and implementation of services with support from their families and community members

Slide 9

Photo referrring to the Conduct of the Second Philippine CBR Congress - Organized network on community-based inclusive development

Photo referring to the organization of disabled people’s organizations and capacity-building participation in the local development process

Slide 10

Participation in Policy Formulation - Consultation, Review of Existing Laws and Evaluation

1. Involvement of DPOs representatives in consultations of national laws and programs

2. As members of inter-agency committees - 10 sub-committees of NCDA has DPOs and NGOs

3. Leading the review and amendments of Philippine Accessibility Law

Slide 11

1. Capacity Building

- Participation of persons in policy formulation - consultation, review of existing laws and evaluation

- Advocacy training of persons with disabilities - youth, women and parents of children with disabilities

- Policy forum for local stakeholders to aid in translating national policies into local programs and services for PWDs

Slide 12

2. Promoting the Establishment of Disability Structures (Persons with Disability Affairs Office, Committee on Disability, Project Team, Etc) as a Venue of Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Local Governance

- 200 PDAOs created RA 10070

- DILG Re-Issuance of Memorandum to organize Committee on Disability in every LGU

- Participation of local DPOs in local poverty reduction action team

- Representation of DPO representatives in local development council

- 8 local government units implementing non-handicapping environment projects and 2 provinces funding their own NHE

Slide 13

Advocacy Training of Persons with Disabilities - Youth, Women and Parents of CWDs

-Advocacy training for 60 young women from Mindanao region as advocates of gender equality and women empowerment

- Youth with disability forum on inclusion, anti-discrimination and media monitoring

- Partner with parents association of visually impaired children for the general assembly and leadership development

- Training of local PWD leaders in advocacy for disability inclusive disaster risk and reduction management

- Training of stakeholders in development of framework on technical vocational education training

Slide 14

Program and Policy Forum for Local Stakeholders to Aid in Translating National Policies into Local Programs and SErvices for PWDs

More than 1,000 stakeholders directly participated in at least 85 local policy forums conducted in 2014 - local government policy makers, DPO leaders, parents and professionals

10 national forum on Incheon goals, disability inclusive DRR, employment, political participation and community based inclusive development

Slide 15

Measures on Persons with Autism

Enactment of Presidential Proclamation 711 declaring the third week of January as National Autism Consciousness Week

- Department of Social Welfare and Development

- Department of Health

- Department of Interior and Local Government

- Department of Education

- Non Government Organizations like Autism Society Philippines

- Other Government Departments and agencies like the National Council on Disability Affairs

Slide 16

Autism Week Activities

Photo showing the more than 5,000 angels who walked for autism in the SM Mall of Asia last January 16

Slide 17

More photos of Autism Week activities

Slide 18

Photos related to the celebration of the World Autism Awareness Day

Slide 19

Department of Health

- survey of the incidence of autism in three selected areas

- National Health Program for Persons with Autism

Slide 20

Bills at the Philippine Legislature

A list of the Bills related to autism:

- SBN-2191: Global Autism Assistance Act

- SBN-1991: Vaccine Safety Study Act

- SBN-1434: Autism and Immune Deficiency Disorders in Infants and Toddlers

Slide 21

- SBN-1116: Autism Prevention, Early Detection, Diagnosis and Treatment Act

- SBN-992: Philippine Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders Act

- SBN-881: Center for Autism

- SBN-241: Comprehensive Autism Intervention Act of 2013

Slide 22

Acknowledgment

- Department of Social Welfare and Development

- Carmen Zubiaga, National Council on Disability Affairs

- Autism Society Philippines

Slide 23

Thank You!

Policies on People with Disability and Orientation to Autism

By Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan

Deputy Director General of Department of Social Protection

Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam

Slide 1

Presentation Contents

- Current situation of children with disabilities (CwD)

- Policies for CwD (including autism children - AC)

- Direction for policies for CwD and AC

Slide 2

1. Current Situation

1.1 Some characteristics are based on:

a. Age and sex structure of PWDs

- 16-below: 10.69%

- 16-18: 3.3%

- 19-60: 59.35%

- Over 60: 26.66%

Boys with disabilities: 62.43%

Girls with disabilities: 37.57%

There is a trend of having more number of girls with disabilities and less number of boys with disabilities by higher ages.

b. Types of disabilities

- Movement disability: 19.34%

- Hearing disability: 13.26%

- Visual disability: 14.92%

- Mental disability: 8.29%

- Intellectual disability: 20.99%

- Other disabilities: 23.20%

c. Self-care capability

- Able to provide self-care themselves: 30.12%

- Can care partly for themselves: 34.37%

- Cannot make care for themselves: 19.5%

- Cannot make self-evaluation: 16.02%

Slide 3

1.1 Some characteristics

A chart showing the causes of disabilities

Slide 4

1.1. Some characteristics

Educational levels

A chart showing various levels of literacy, namely:

a. Elderly

- Illiteracy: 34,39

- Didn’t graduate from primary school: 21,24

- Finished primary school: 9,26

- Didn’t graduate from lower secondary school: 14,01

- Finished lower secondary school: 9,07

- Didn’t graduate from higher secondary school: 2,80

- Higher secondary school graduates: 9,22

b. 6-16 years old

- Illiteracy: 65,15

- Didn’t graduate from primary school: 18,69

- Finished primary school: 5,56

- Didn’t graduate from lower secondary school: 9,60

- Finished lower secondary school: 1,01

- Didn’t graduate from higher secondary school: 0,0

- Higher secondary school graduates: 0,0

Slide 5

1.1 Some characteristics

a. Attendance

- Don’t attend school: 64.7%

- In school: 32.24%

Among those in school:

- Attend inclusive education/partly inclusive education: 83.75%

- Attend specialized education: 16.25%

b. Reasons for not going to school

- Inability to learn: 63.95%

- Class is not accessible: 2.72%

- Distance to school: 1.3%

- Poverty: 2.04%

- Other causes: 44.9%

c. Regarding livelihood

- Provided by family and relatives: 44.66%

- Social assistance: 34.4%

- Concessional assistance for persons with social work: 5.54%

- Other sources (i.e. social insurance benefits, donation, charity): 15.86%

Slide 6

1.2 Household’s Characteristic

12.2% of households have two or more PWDs

a. Housing

- Households with permanent houses: 11.8%

- With semi-permanent houses: 57.6%

- Living in the interim: 30.5%

- Full access housing: 63.8%

- Partially accessible new housing: 26.2%

- Inaccessible housing: 10%

b. Daily necessities

- Motorcycles: 44.5% households

- Television: 84.2%

- Washing machines: 4%

- Refrigerators: 13%

- Separate utensils for PWDs: 12.8%

c. Household difficulties

- Difficulties with health care: 90%

- Rehabilitation: 80%

- Daily living assistance: 71.2%

- Education support: 53%

Slide 7

2. Policies

1.1 System of Policies

- Policies are defined in the Law on Disability, 19 specialized laws, guidelines under the law

- Priority policies are based on the degree of disability, regardless of the policy on the type of disability

Slide 8

1.1 System of Policies

- Main contents of policies include health care, rehabiliation, education, vocational training and job creation, tourism, access to information technology, social protection, among others.

Focus directly on persons with disabilities, their families, and indirectly through projects and programs on promoting non-handicapping environment

Slide 9

2.2. Results

- Social protection resulting in 640,000 PWDs getting social assistance in 2012

- Policy on education support, training and vocational training with PWDs getting tuition assistance (17.5%), scholarships (10%), textbooks and school supplies (10.83%), and other support (71.7%). Of those getting support, 65.8% got education support; 20.83% are supported to continue their schooling; and 13.3% are given economic support.

- Funding matters: 69.17% of children with disabilities must pay tuition; 67.5% to fund school construction; 70% must contribute to parents’ fund; 38.33% to other revenues due to school requirements.

1.4 million per year: average total premiums in general education

Slide 10

2.2 Results

- Policies on health care support and rehabilitation: 60.04% of PWDs have health insurance; 77.5% of them used health insurance cards; 45% get medical health care by insurance cards without any other expenses

- Household support: 43.6% of households receive social assistance for PWDs; 15% receive assistance on home repair; over 10% are entitled to preferential loan policies

Slide 11

3. Policy Direction

3.1 General Policies

- Accelerate the process of implementing the provisions of the Law on Disability, the guidelines and programs on disability schemes, priority to children with disabilities, children with autism;

- Study and Recommend to the Government to amend the policy to become more appropriate

- Implementation of determining the degree of disability, certify to the PWDs, documentation management on disabilities

- Encourage the participation of PWDs on education and vocational education, creating a firm basis to create jobs and promote social inclusion for PWDs

- Capacity building for staff

- Minimize the causes of disabilities and overcome disabilities’ consequences

- Raise awareness on social issues and disabilities in order to ensure effective implementation of the Law on Disabilities

Slide 12

3.2 Direction for Policy for CWDs

- AC is defined as one other types of disabilities and must be fully implemented policies for AC, families with AC

- Promote determine the degree of disability and provide certificate on the degree of disability for AC. Provide guideline on issues of autism, training for officials of labour, invalids and social affairs sectors, guiding for locals

Slide 13

3.2 Direction for Policy for CWDs

- Promoting the construction and expansion of the model of care and education of children with autism. Mainstream AC into the Scheme on Community based Caring for children with particularly difficulty (this scheme has been submitted to the Government) and into the Scheme on Community-based care replication objects of social protection (this is MOLISA’s Scheme)

- Promoting policy research and development specific to AC and support families with AC. In which focus on four policy priorities which includes social protection, education assistance, medical care and rehabilitation, culture , entertainment and sport.

- Promoting advocacy to raise awareness on social issues and AC

- Enhancing supervision and assessment, scientific research and training of staff

Slide 14

Thank you very much.

Policy Implementation to Support Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Finding from an Ethnography Study in Ha Noi

By Dr. Vu Song Ha MD, Ph.D

National Consultation Meeting on Laws and Policies related to Autism in Vietnam

Slide 1

Introduction

- First cases diagnosed in late of ‘90s and early 2000s

- The number of diagnosed children increases

- Needs for policy and services to support individuals with ASD

- Vietnam has advanced policies to support the rights of children and people with disability

- How is policy implemented for children with ASD?

Slide 2

Objective of the presentation and source of data

- To describe some challenges in accessing to services that individuals with ASD and their family have struggled Data came from:

- Research on ‘Understanding autism spectrum disorder in Hanoi, Vietnam’ carried out in Hanoi from 2011- 2012 (Observation, In-depth interviews with 27 parents, key informant interviews with 17 service providers and policy makers, online survey with125 parents)

- VAN data of intervention centers for children with ASD in Ho Chi Minh City

Slide 3

Inclusive education

Photo of children in the classroom

Slide 4

Inclusive Education

- An inclusive education policy was introduced in Vietnam since early 90.

- The implementation of inclusive education still has some difficulties:

- School managers and teachers are reluctant to accept children with ASD

- Lack of teachers, fix curriculum, emphasize on academic achievement

- Full inclusion for children with ASD is still a question

Slide 5

Inclusive Education

Online survey showed: Nearly 50% parents whose children are in school (45/93) believed that their children are ignored or excluded from class activities.

Slide 6

Inclusive Education

One mother said: For school excursions, e.g. trips to the temple of literature or Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, these children are forced to stay home. The principal states that they are not allowed to join since they will affect the school’s image. We feel hurt and feel pity for our children. [...] I do not understand why they do it, why do they worry about school images or appearance and do not think about the children as people? What we want is their support for our children to participate in these activities, not just giving a gift box. I do not want a gift box.

Slide 7

Health Care

- Medical insurance regulates that examination and treatment costs for children under 6 are fully covered

- However, most of existing intervention services for children with ASD delivered by private sector, in which medical insurance is not applied.

- Interventions for children with ASD are complex, and require long-term intervention

- Other costs also expensive (cost for accompanied persons, opportunity costs).

Slide 8

Health Care

- Intervention costs for children with ASD is a heavy burden for their family

- The online survey with parents shows that the average monthly intervention expense for a child with ASD in the last 12 months was 6,900,000 VND.

Slide 9

Health Care

- Health providers may also do not have adequate understandings to ASD and the children, thus children with ASD also face difficulties to access other health care services (e.g. dental care)

Slide 10

Social Welfare

Children with ASD in Hanoi have difficulties in access to welfare and social supports.

The Disability Law and the Guide on implementation of disability law regulate benefits that people with disability can access including a monthly pension, subsidies for public transportation and tickets to cultural events.

Nevertheless, ASD has not yet been recognised in legal documents. In addition, assessment for severity level in order to get a pension and subsidies is a big challenge since assessment instruments are not yet available, and the assessment committee at a local level needs capacity-building.

Slide 11

Social Welfare

A representative of Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), said:

At present, autism is a technical term only. There is no such term in legal documents. Social welfare work is based on disability criteria. Children with ASD could be categorised in the group intellectual disability or other disability. When a person needs welfare, he/she would be assessed to identify which group of disability they belong to and which level of severity. So, if a child with ASD meets the criteria of disability, they will get welfare. It is a challenge in assessment. It is easy for an assessment committee to evaluate cases that could not take care of themselves, which means they totally could not move, or schizophrenic (tâm thần) cases, who do not know anything. However, other cases are difficult to assess, and need appropriate assessment tools, and training for members of the assessment committees. So far, there is no official assessment tool to identify the severity of disability.

Slide 12

Social Welfare

To date, the number of children with ASD receiving welfare support is still limited.

A graph showing data from VAN about the number of children diagnosed with ASD in a number of schools, as well as the number of children accessing welfare.

Slide 13

Concerns of the Future

Worry about the future of their children is the greatest concern of parents of children with ASD.

Family will be responsible for their children’s future because they do not see other options. Limited services for people with disability, especially individuals with ASD. Existing services do not help them enough to maximise their capacities nor live independently. Parents do not have enough money in the long run for intervention.

Parents have many questions when think about their children’s future:

- Where their children will live in, with whom, who will take care them?

- Is it possible for their children to have a job?

- Can their children get married?

- What happens to their children when parent become old and pass away?

Slide 14

Concerns of the Future

Some parents report that they do not want to think about the future, because it is too hard and uncertain for them.

Nevertheless, some parents express the hope that their children’s future will be brighter, and wish the government had more policies and services to meet the various needs of their children. For example, one mother said:

My child is autistic, and has difficulty in communication and behavioural problems. Now he/she can read, write, do some math, but I am very concerned about his/her future. One person who cannot read and write still can survive, but how can children with communication, interaction disorders, how can they live independently? I hope that the society and the government of Vietnam will have better understanding on this condition, in order to have policies to support them to study and being included in society to eliminate burdens for families and society.

Slide 15

Summary

Vietnam has good legal framework for people with disability.

However, there are number of challenges in policy implementation in both education, health care and social welfare.

Family takes the main responsibility in care, paying for services and future orientation

Thus, more efforts are needed to ensure that individuals with ASD access services as stated in Law and policy for children and for people with disability.

Slide 16

Thank you very much!

Media Coverage

Screenshots of various Vietnamese-language newspapers that covered the Consultation Meeting

Photos

1. Over 70 participants including persons with autism and their families

2. Performances by persons with autism

3. Sharing technical inputs from international and domestic perspectives

4. Discussion on implementation of Laws and Policies Related to Autism in Vietnam

5. Discussion on Ha Noi Recommendations on Laws and Policies Related to Autism

6. Adoption of Ha Noi Recommendations on Laws and Policies Related to Autism

<Back Cover>

Accessible for Persons with Disabilities

Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs

12 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel: +84 4 627-036-45; Fax: +84 4 627-036-09

Email: lasic@molisa.gov.vn; Website: www.molisa.gov.vn

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

255 Rajavithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand

Tel: +66 2 354-7505; Fax: +66 2 354-7507

Email: info@apcdfoundation.org; Website: www.apcdfoundation.org