New App 'e-Comel' Aids Early Autism Detection in Young Children

A new web-based application called e-Comel is set to revolutionize early autism detection for young children in Kelantan, Malaysia. This innovative system targets children from birth up to six years old, providing a crucial platform for early intervention. Developed collaboratively by the Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Kelantan (Maik), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), e-Comel represents one of the earliest such systems introduced in Malaysia.

Tan Sri Mohamad Rizam Tengku Abdul Aziz, the President of Maik, highlighted that e-Comel also gathers data on parents from underprivileged families (asnaf) with children aged zero to six. The application features a detection module that uses a series of questions to generate results and scores. These scores help assess a child's developmental stage, guiding whether further clinical assessment by medical professionals is needed. "This system is among the earliest in Malaysia for the purpose of early detection of children (autism symptoms)," he stated at the launch of the Asnaf Parents' Awareness Program on Early Intervention for Child Development 0-6 Years.

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This system is among the earliest in Malaysia for the purpose of early detection of children (autism symptoms).

Beyond detection, e-Comel offers an e-learning module designed to empower parents. This feature provides guidance on how to assist and enhance the capabilities of their autistic children, particularly in stimulating their learning and development. Tengku Mohamad Rizam expressed gratitude to USM, the UKM MBA Student Group, and the USM-Maik Center for Persons with Disabilities (OKU) for their contributions. He emphasized the importance of strengthening this collaboration to ensure that all children, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, receive the opportunities they deserve to develop and build their futures. "Aid to the asnaf should not be limited to financial assistance and zakat, but must also be an instrument for the development and empowerment of the ummah, especially in the form of education," he added.

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Aid to the asnaf should not be limited to financial assistance and zakat, but must also be an instrument for the development and empowerment of the ummah, especially in the form of education.