Autism Society to Hold First Meeting

The Love Autism Society of Korea, a group that brings together family members of autistic developmental disability sufferers, therapists, and corporate benefactors, will hold its inaugural meeting in the auditorium of the Milal School in Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on January 12.

Parents of children with autistic disorders, therapists such as Ahn Dong-hyun, the current president of the Korean Association of Persons with Autism, and prominent figures from the business sector, including Kim Shin-bae, the CEO and president of SK Telecom, will take part in the event as trustees who made donations to the group.

Kim Yong-jik (51, lawyer), president of the society, told reporters, “Because of ‘Malaton’, a movie based on a child with autism, awareness of the illness has increased, but most of the burden is still left on the shoulders of parents,” adding, “Public interest and support is vital to integrating autistic disorder patients into society.”

Kim, who has a 22-year-old autistic son, knows the hardships faced by parents with autistic children. It was not an easy task for him to accept his child’s illness when he was first informed of the fact 20 years ago.

He sought numerous welfare facilities and therapists. He even founded a welfare association with other parents.

Parental love had its limits in diagnosing the problem; 24-hour care of the child was required.

“Based on his outside appearance, nobody could tell he was disabled,” said Kim. “My biggest wish was to know what my child was thinking about.”

Kim gave up his job as a judge four years ago to spend more time with his son. His son graduated from a special school and is now taking a job-training course at a welfare center.

“While the cost and effort required to diagnose autism are not small, treatment is possible to a certain extent, which is why commitment and support from society is needed,” said Kim.

Including the autistic among those considered to be disabled only came after the reform of the Welfare of Disabled Persons Act in 2000. But despite the establishment of firm grounds for support based on laws and institutions, an analysis of the present state of the condition hasn’t even taken place yet.

Yoo Kyung-ho, the director of the Love Autism Society, said, “The number of registered individuals linked with autism is around 9,000, but the estimated actual number of sufferers is about 20,000 to 30,000. Registering as a person with autism does not ensure support; registering as a victim of mental retardation does.”

Committee executive director Goh In-suk, added, “The biggest wish that parents have is to be able to rest in peace without concern for their children. With the exception of Bae Hyung-jin and Kim Jin-ho, who have already made great strides in overcoming autism, more national support for the remaining 95 percent of patients who suffer from severe autistic disorder is vital.”

The committee plans to publish a report on the present status of persons with autism and raise funds for their welfare.