Mainstreaming of autistic, intellectually and mentally retarded children is possible through turning them into human resources by taking proper care and extending supports to flourish their inherent talents.
Nilphamari-1 MP Aftab Uddin Sarker said this while launching academic activities in the Autistic School at Dangapara area in Domar upazila town of Nilphamari yesterday.
Society for Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled (SWID), Bangladesh extended assistance in establishing the school for educating the autistic and mentally retarded children of the area to make them able and worthy citizens.
Councillor of Domar municipality and General Secretary of Domar municipality unit of Awami League (AL) Moynul Haque Manu presided over the ceremony.
Mayor of Domar municipality Alhaj Mansurul Islam Danu, President of SWID Bangladesh Zaoaherul Islam Mamun, General Secretary of Domar upazila AL Toaffael Ahmed, Upazila Social Service Officer Abdul Hannan Sarker, addressed among others.
Appreciating the authorities of SWID Bangladesh for extending support in launching the school, the speakers said it would play vital role in turning the autistic and mentally retarded children of the upazila into worthy citizens.
They said the autistic, mentally retarded and disabled children deserve their proper constitutional rights, but not mercy, and they must get all privileges and human rights, as they are the integral parts of the whole society.
The chief guest said the autistic and intellectually retarded children must not be considered as burden of the society and they must be provided with opportunities for education in congenial atmosphere, normal mental and physical growths.
He put special importance on ensuring all necessary supports and facilities for the autistic and intellectually children to turn them into worthy human resources with an ultimate goal of mainstreaming them with the process of building a developed Bangladesh.