“Jump. Come on, Danu, jump,” a therapist instructs Danu, 7, a child who suffers from autism, to jump inside Rumah Autis (Home for the Autistic) at Jl. Ganggeng in North Jakarta.

The activity was part of his sensory integration therapy at the small house, which offers treatment to children with special needs, especially those that suffer autism.

From the outside, there is very little that sets apart the house, which treats 34 children with varied needs, from others in the street.

Only a banner emblazoned with Rumah Autis lets passersby know that the house serves a special purpose.

The center, run by the Cahaya Keluarga Fitrah Foundation (CAGAR), also treats children with down syndrome, mental retardation, speech delay and epilepsy.

“There are several therapies that we conduct for these children with special needs,” Eka Yulianti head of Tanjung Priok branch of Rumah Autis told The Jakarta Post.

The therapies are among others; Applied Behavioral Analysis, sensory integration, speech therapy and occupational therapy.

All are supported by very limited facilities since the therapy center is aimed at reaching out to children from low-income families.

For example, Danu’s mother Nuraini, can afford a year’s worth of therapy as the fees are relatively inexpensive for her husband who works as a street busker.

Nuraini, 36, said she only paid Rp 50,000 (US$5.50) a month.

Danu is one of the children who received a part scholarship to attend therapy at Rumah Autis.

Nuraini said Danu has shown healthy progression since beginning the treatment and is now able to drink by himself and even ride a bicycle.

“He still often mimics what people say though,” she said.

Even though Danu tends to avoid eye contact with others and often seemed preoccupied and distracted him from those around him, he manages to follow instructions given to him by therapists at the center.

Eka said Rumah Autis relies on donations and payments from children’s parents. Those who are financially better-off can contribute more than those who have less.

“Most of tools used in therapy are contributed by parents of children who are financially settled,” said Eka while showing a bunch of hula-hoops, rubber balls and a tunnel toy.

Children from families of very low incomes are generally given scholarships for therapy at the center.

“For those who are able, we charge between Rp 25,000 and        Rp 50,000 per hour, three times a week, but for those who cannot afford it can pay in other ways, such as cooking lunches and helping us clean the house ahead of the children’s therapy sessions,” she said.

The average fee for therapy session for autistic children across Jakarta ranges from Rp 60,000 to       Rp 150,000 per hour.

Separately, Aulia Damayanti, 37, said she had enrolled her five-year-old son at a clinic in South Jakarta since he was around one year old. “I also arrange for him to have therapy session at home.”

She said that, so far, her son’s progress had been disappointing.

“At first I wanted to enroll him at a formal school but since his ability is still limited I am not placing my expectations too high.”

“I’m now focusing on how to give him a certain level of independence as he grows up,” she said.

Address:

Rumah Autis Jakarta Utara
Jl. Ganggeng IV no. 15, RT 07 / RW 01 Kelurahan Sungai Bambu
Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta

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