World Autism Awareness Day observed

Bangladesh observed the 10th World Autism Awareness Day on Sunday to build awareness about autism and national inclusivity of autistic people. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged schools to not discriminate against differently abled children and deprive them of an education. “Some educational institutions do not want to enroll differently abled children and this needs to change” she said while inaugurating the 10th World Autism Awareness Day at Osmani Memorial Auditorium. “We always give the highest priority to education and that must be uniformly applied,” she added. The Ministry of Social Welfare arranged the programme in keeping with this year’s theme of “Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination”. The prime minister also distributed awards among successful autistic children and individuals and organisations working for the development of the children with disabilities. Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Social Welfare Ministry Dr Mozammel Hossain, State Minister for Social Welfare Nuruzzaman Ahmed and Secretary of the Social Welfare Ministry Zillar Rahman were present at the programme. Autism is a complex neurobehavioral condition that includes impairments in social interaction and developmental language and communication skills combined with rigid, repetitive behaviors. Because of the range of symptoms, this condition is now called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It covers a large spectrum of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment. ASD ranges in severity from a handicap that somewhat limits an otherwise normal life to a devastating disability that may require institutional care. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion. World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Southeast Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh on Saturday mentioned that rate of autism prevalence is estimated at 160 cases in a population of 10,000 or one in 62 children. Dr Poonam also said that in the low and middle-income countries, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) don’t get medical attention and necessary care. “Their life is a struggle, often marred by stigma, marginalisation and discrimination. Autism continues to be a public health challenge which needs to be addressed with more focused efforts,” she added. Autism, an ignored public health issue, came to the forefront in Bangladesh after Saima Wazed Hossain, daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a school psychologist, launched a campaign in early 2007.