Raising awareness about autism

Now-a-days, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a burning issue all over the world. It is a lifelong developmental disability that affects in the way a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. Autism is a condition that was identified in 1943 but it still remains much unknown in Bangladesh.
Recently, Bangladesh is also trying to create awareness about autism and autistic children, as it has become a social issue. There are a few trained parents of autistic children, who learn about autism and know how to deal with the autistic children.
Apri 2 is the World Autism Awareness Day. This year the slogan is: AUTISM AND WORK. TOGETHER WE CAN. In Bangladesh, the government and various NGO's will observe this day through an array of  programmes.
HISTORY OF WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar, which declares April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, supported the campaign for a World Autism Awareness Day through the current 62nd UN General Assembly Session, garnering consensus support from all United Nations Member States.
This UN resolution is one of only three official disease-specific United Nations Days and brings the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions. World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism and encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the high prevalence rate of autism among children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges.
AUTISM IN BANGLADESH
Researchers in Bangladesh often term Autism more of a human rights problem rather than a medical problem. The reason behind this is the social conundrum that many have to face due to the neurological disorder. Children can not go to school, families prefer locking the members suffering from ASD within the corners of the house and at one point of time they become complete outsiders in the society.
Since the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the constitution mandates  equality, non discrimination and creation of equitable measures for all those who are underprivileged. According to reports, the government has been taking initiatives to work on the issue through various development projects. One such report states that during the 2010-2011 fiscal year, TK 89,45,000 were distributed through the development programme called Protibondhi Sheba O Sahajya Kendro (organization for the assistance and services of the disabled) created in 2009. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counseling, assistive devices and other related services are being provided to nearly 15,000 individuals in five districts. It is scheduled to be expanded to 10 more districts.
ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON AUTISM AND NEURO-DISABILITY IN BANGLADESH
 Number of organisations working on autism in the country is increasing. Some of these are:
l    Dhaka Shishu Hospital
l    Institute of Child and Mother Health (ICMH)
l    Centre for Neurodevelopment and Autism in Children (CNAC)
l    Bangladesh Jatio Protibondhi Unnoyon Foundation (JPUF)
l    Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP)
l    Society for Assistance Hearing Impaired Children (SAHIC),
l    National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH)
l    Medical College Hospitals
l    Combined Military Hospitals
l    Institute of Child Health & Shishu Swasthya Foundation Hospital
l    ILO (international Labour Office)
l    World Health Organization, (WHO) Bangladesh
SCHOOLS FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN
There are many specialised school where autistic children get educational, medical and therapeutic support, such as:
l    Proyash
l    Autism Welfare Foundation (AWF)
l    Society for the Welfare of Autistic Children (SWAC)
l    Autistic Children's Welfare Foundation, Bangladesh (ACWF)
l    Beautiful Mind
l    Bangladesh Protibondhi  Foundation (BPF)
l    School for Gifted Children
l    Unique Gift
l    Kidzee
WHO research suggests disability can comprise 15 per cent of a country's population. They have right to medical, psychological and functional treatment, including prosthetic appliance, medical and social rehabilitation, education, vocational training and rehabilitation, aid, counseling, placement services and other services to enable them to develop their capabilities and skills.
On this day, it is a grim reminder for all of us to be aware of the hazards that autism causes to our fellow beings. We should do all we can, in our respective capacities, to help the sufferers.  
The writer is occupational therapist, Proyash, Savar Cantonment. rabeya1988@gmail.com