Twelve Children at Little Aresha Daycare Experience Developmental Disorders

The Jogja City Government through the Health Department (Dinkes) disclosed the condition of children who were previously placed in the Little Aresha daycare. It emerged that a number of children experienced developmental deviations.

Aan Iswanti, head of the Public Health Section of Dinkes Jogja, explained that the department conducted developmental screening carried out by clinical psychologists to determine whether a child’s development matched their age, in line with the Stimulation, Detection, and Early Intervention for Growth and Development guidelines (SDIDTK).

‘153 children underwent developmental screening; of these, 12 showed developmental deviations, 19 were in the ’questionable’ category, and 122 were developmentally normal,’ Aan said at a press conference at Jogja City Hall on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.

Aan continued: the 12 children with developmental deviations and the 19 in the ‘questionable’ category were referred to puskesmas for comprehensive developmental assessments.

‘Indeed, the deviations span several categories, including speech delay, autism-spectrum signs, and ADHD—characterised by higher activity and hyperactivity compared with peers, which necessitates referral,’ he said.

Governing undernourished: In addition to psychological assessments, Dinkes Jogja also conducted nutrition screenings by nutritionists using anthropometric measurements.

‘From the screening results, 149 children underwent growth screening, and 18 had nutrition problems—underweight or undernutrition. This is not malnutrition per se; it’s an early-stage condition,’ Aan explained.

‘If we look at physical appearance, some do not visibly appear undernourished, but based on anthropometric growth measurements we can identify those with underweight or undernutrition.’

The 18 children found with nutritional disorders were referred to the Puskesmas for validation of their nutritional status by the Puskesmas nutrition team. The team includes doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and clinical psychologists.

‘A among those 18 referred to Puskesmas, 9 have already attended. The other 9 are still waiting, possibly because some are undergoing growth and development checks or psychology sessions; hence not all have completed the process yet,’ he said.

Aan emphasised that the authorities would accompany and coordinate with health facilities to ensure the Little Aresha daycare victims receive optimal treatment.

‘If at the Puskesmas a referral to a higher-level facility is required—for example, a hospital—we have prepared arrangements with Primary Hospitals (Rumah Sakit Pratama), RSUD Kota Jogja, and if needed a higher-level referral to RSUP Dr Sardjito, ready to serve,’ he asserted.

‘We have already coordinated with those hospitals, particularly for psychologists and paediatricians.’

Earlier, 13 people had been named as suspects and detained in connection with alleged child abuse at Little Aresha daycare. Jogja City Police Chief Kombes Eva Guna Pandia revealed that all 13 suspects were women. They are: DK (51), AP (42), FN (30), NF (26), Lis (34), EN (26), SRm (54), DR (32), HP (47), ZA (30), SRj (50), DO (31), and DM (28).

‘The first is the initial DK, the Foundation Chair. The second is AP, the head of the school. The remaining eleven played roles as carers,’ Pandia said at a press conference at Mapolresta Jogja, on Monday afternoon, 27 April.