World Autism Awareness Day today

The 15th World Autism Awareness Day is being observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe today (Saturday).

The theme of the day this year is 'Emon Bishwa Gori, Autism Boishishto-somponno Bektir Protiva Bikoshito Kori'.

In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2 as the World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the needs to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the eve of the day urging all concerned to come forward for welfare of the disabled.

In his message, M Abdul Hamid said to ensure the constitutional rights of persons with disabilities, the government has already enacted Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013, Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust Act-2013, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council Act 2018 and Integrated Special Education Policy, 2019.

He said the Autism Resource Center has been set up under the Ministry of Social Welfare which is a landmark initiative of the government.

He hoped that the launch of the Autism and Neuro Developmental Disabilities (NDD) Service Center will further improve the quality of life of children and individuals with autism and other NDD children and individuals.

People with autism are not a burden to society, he said, adding that it is possible to turn them into skilled human resources through proper education, training, guidance and inspiration.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ensured the equal rights of all citizens in the constitution of independent Bangladesh.

The present Awami League (AL) led government is committed to protect the rights of all in the country, the premier said.

The government has already provided online training to 390 parents or guardians in 190 upazilas of 53 districts of Bangladesh amid COVID-19 situation to give home-based care and take care of mental health of children and persons with autism, she said, adding that the government has formed the Neuro Developmental Disability (NDD) Protection Trust to this end.

Marking the day, the Ministry of Social Welfare has chalked out various programmes at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the capital.

However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's daughter and school psychologist Saima Wazed's relentless efforts have raised awareness about autism nationally and internationally.