World Autism Awareness Day today

The 10th World Autism Awareness Day will be observed in the country as elsewhere across the world today (Sunday) in order to raise awareness though events and raise funds for autism, a development disorder of children, characterised by impaired communication, excessive rigidity, and emotional detachment, reports BSS.
There is no known specific cause of autism but researchers suggest that autism develops from a combination of genetic and non-genetic or environmental influences. It develops at the early stage of child life and management is the only option so far.
Autism, an ignored public health issue, came to the forefront in Bangladesh after Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a school psychologist, launched campaign on it in early 2007.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have given separate messages for this year's awareness day hoping that the day's observation would help build further awareness on autism and improve the condition of autistic children.
Abdul Hamid said autistic children have the equal rights and privileges as well as abilities to grow and contribute to society. These children, he said, could be turned into skilled manpower provided they were given due attention to unfold their potentials.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message thanked all persons involved in the cause of autism and said she felt proud of her daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, who made tremendous efforts to bring smiles on the faces of autistic children and their families.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the main programme of the World Autism Awareness Day at Osmani Memorial Hall in the city today (Sunday) morning.
The BSMMU in a press release said they organised an art competition for the children with autism on its campus in the city on Saturday.