“Don’t turn children with autism into a business,” urged Many Phok, director of the Growing Special Education School (GSES), as she delivered a heartfelt message to over 1,000 attendees during the World Autism Awareness Day event at Jesus Child Parish in Boeung Tumpun on April 2 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Speaking under the theme “Celebrating the Diversity of People with Autism to Promote Inclusion,” Phok, who is also a mother of a child with autism, highlighted the financial struggles many families face.
She criticized the high tuition fees imposed by some private schools, which prevent children with autism from accessing education.
“Parents shouldn’t be charged double or triple just because their children are considered ‘special.’ The term ‘special’ should mean that the child deserves support and a discounted tuition rate, not financial exploitation,” she emphasized.
She called on the government and relevant ministries to implement policies that facilitate the inclusion of children with autism in private schools by promoting affordability and accessibility.
Autism is a developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction, varying from person to person.
Ms. Sophal Somali, a parent of an autistic child, shared her struggles with discrimination, recalling an incident where her child was refused entry into a shop.
“As long as discrimination exists, children with autism will struggle to be part of society,” she said, urging for more significant support in education, healthcare, and social integration.
Chamroeun Mak, another parent, echoed similar concerns, emphasizing the daily challenges families face due to a lack of societal understanding.
“Community support is vital. Parents, schools, and the government must work together to ensure inclusion and support for our children,” he stated.
The Growing Special Education School, founded in 2017 and supported by the Catholic community, currently operates in two rented buildings near the Child Jesus Church.
It serves 350 students with the help of 116 staff members. In recent years, the school has successfully transitioned 59 students into mainstream schools, marking significant progress toward inclusion.
Looking ahead, the Catholic community plans to construct a 10-floor educational facility by 2024 to provide comprehensive academic and life skills training for children with autism. “This modern building won’t just serve academic needs—it will help children grow with life skills and independence,” said Phok.
The school is currently seeking donations from philanthropists to support this ambitious project.
During this year’s event, the school awarded certificates of excellence to outstanding students with autism. The celebration also featured a motivational talk by Buddhist monk Dr. Ku Sophap and concluded with a symbolic balloon release in honor of autism awareness.
The United Nations designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in 2008, and Cambodia has observed the occasion annually since 2014.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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