Parenting is a journey filled with joys, challenges, and unexpected costs.
When raising a child with special needs in Malaysia, those costs can often be significantly higher and can take a toll on a family’s finances.
While the love and care for a special needs child are immeasurable, it’s essential to shed light on the hidden financial burdens that many families face in this situation.
Financial Demands of Raising a Special Needs Child
Medical Expenses
One of the most significant financial challenges is the cost of medical care.
Special needs children often require regular visits to specialists, therapists, and various medical professionals. Medications, medical equipment, and assistive devices add to the expenses.
In Malaysia, while healthcare is relatively affordable compared to some countries, these costs can still accumulate over time.
Just the medical costs for raising a child with cerebral palsy, for instance, could easily reach upwards of RM 15,000 a year.
Specialised Education
Accessing quality education for special needs children is essential. Specialised schools, tutors, and therapists may be necessary, and they come at a considerable cost.
While Malaysia offers inclusive education, not all schools are equipped to cater to the diverse needs of special needs children.
For many Down Syndrome kids whose parents decide to send to a private education facility, monthly tuition could reach anywhere between RM1,000 and RM4,500.
Therapies and Interventions
Occupational therapy, speech therapy, and behavioural therapy are essential for the development of many special needs children.
These therapies can be ongoing and require significant financial commitments.
Private therapy sessions are often the only option, as public healthcare services may have long waiting lists.
One typical ABA session (which is effective for many forms of learning disabilities and developmental delays) could cost anywhere between RM50 to RM100.
Assistive Technology and Equipment
Depending on the nature of the child’s disability, they may need specialised equipment such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, communication devices, and sensory tools.
These devices are not only expensive but also require maintenance and replacement over time.
A hearing aid could cost anywhere between RM3,500 to RM14,000. And a single cochlear implant could easily cost upwards of RM50,000 at a private hospital.
Travel and Accessibility
Special needs children often require extra assistance and accommodations when travelling.
This includes accessible transportation, accommodation, and sometimes even the need to travel abroad for specialised treatments or therapies, which can be financially straining.
A wheelchair could cost you somewhere between RM300 to RM500 depending on the type and functionality.
Cheaper wheelchairs can definitely be acquired but these may have a shorter shelf life in the long-run.
Disability Care
Caring for a special needs child can be physically and emotionally demanding.
Families may need to hire caregivers or seek home help services to take a break. These services come at an additional cost.
The same could be said for parents who send their kids to live in OKU facilities long-term.
These require weekly payments between RM500 to RM2,500 depending on the severity of the disability.
Lost Income
One of the most significant hidden costs is the potential loss of income when one parent has to reduce working hours or quit their job to care for the child full-time.
This not only affects the family’s current financial situation but also their long-term financial security.
In Malaysia, there are government support programs and NGOs dedicated to helping families with special needs children.
These initiatives provide some relief, but they may not cover all the costs associated with raising a special needs child.
Families often find themselves in a constant struggle to balance their child’s needs with their financial resources.
The Cost of Raising A Special Needs Child
As there are too many special needs conditions, we won’t be covering all of them in this article.
So, we’ll only be giving estimates for the most common disabilities faced by children in Malaysia.
These are the ones we could find:
- Down Syndrome: RM20, 000 (per year)
- Cerebral Palsy: RM30,000 (per year)
- Cancer: RM40, 000 (per year)
- Austism: RM 20,000 (per year)
It’s important to note that these estimates are not representative for all disabled children.
You will see disparities in these numbers simply because the sample groups come from vastly different socio-economic backgrounds.
Some enjoy medical insurance and government benefits, which significantly reduces the overall cost.
Where you get your treatment and care also plays a role. Private centres are significantly more expensive, whereas public ones are more affordable.
Wealthier parents or caregivers may naturally go for specialised treatments and therapies.
On the other hand, there are also families who do not spend anything on conventional disability care and prefer to do it themselves at home.
This may often be the case with some families with autistic children.
The general rule of thumb is that the cost for raising a special needs child is double or triple the cost of raising a regular one.
CBR Programme
Aside from conventional methods, there is also something called CBR or Community-Based Rehabilitation.
This 2019 study revealed the average cost for both centre-based and home-based cost for disabled children who participated in CBR programme for disabled persons.
The characteristics of disabled children are any types of disability (hearing, visual, physical, learning and children with multiple disabilities), registered with CBR (Community Based Rehabilitation) programmes, holding a disability card (OKU card) and aged from 0 to 18 years were sampled.
These costs include direct and indirect costs as well as medication and supplements:
- Home-based care: RM 2,826 (per year)
- Centre-based care: RM 1,928 (per year)
What’s CBR?
Community-based rehabilitation programmes are fully or partially non-profit initiatives started by a community for the community (usually in rural areas, villages or small towns).
They can be and are often funded by government or private organisations but this is not a requirement.
Here’s what you need to know about CBR:
- Local Helpers: People in the community, like volunteers or trained workers, help the person with a disability. They might teach them skills, provide therapy, or assist with daily tasks.
- Accessible Services: Services and support are made available in the community itself. This could include things like accessible transportation, healthcare, education, and job opportunities.
- Inclusion: CBR promotes including people with disabilities in everyday community activities. It’s about breaking down barriers and making sure everyone can participate fully in society.
- Empowerment: The goal is to empower people with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives, right where they live.
If you want to enrol your special needs child in a CBR programme, you can look for on this list for a centre nearest to you.
Give them a call to inquire on their rates and services.
Providing Your Special Needs Child the Best Care
Raising a special needs child is undoubtedly a labour of love, but it can come with substantial financial challenges that may lead to stress, debt, and financial instability for many families.
It is crucial for the government, healthcare system, and society at large to recognise these hidden costs and work towards providing more comprehensive support for these families.
Financial assistance, improved access to therapies, and inclusive education can all help alleviate some of the financial burdens and enable these families to provide the best possible care for their special needs children.
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