The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Autism, a brain disorder, is a life long developmental disability that prevents individuals from properly understanding what they see, hear and otherwise sense. This results in severe problems relating to social relationship, communication and behaviour.

The exact cause of autism is not known. Research shows that genetic factors are important. Autism may indeed result from a combination of several causes.

The scenario of autistic children of Bangladesh is very dismal. Most of the children are not diagnosed. Many diagnosed cases are totally ignorant of any training or education programme to educate autistic children.

Many older children with autism are diagnosed as mentally retarted and attend school for the mentally retarded. These children are not given any special curriculum. Many children are not given any training at all. They are kept at home and become burdens for their families.

To promote the talents of the autistic children the Autism Welfare Foundation (AWF), a voluntary and non-profitable NGO, organised a 10-day long different type of Eid fair at the AWF Office premises at the PC Culture Housing Society in Mohammadpur in the city. The fair was inaugurated on September 14.

Different types of Eid cards, handicraft and ceramic items including potteries, toys and flower-vases which are made by the autistic children, are on display at the different stalls in the fair. The participant autistic children are presenting their works at the fair.

Dr Rownak Hafiz, Chairperson of AWF and autistic expert, said, "There are some autistic children who are functioning normally or with very high IQ. Their verbal communications is quite good and are attending normal schools. Ultimately these children are rejected by their friends and school authorities due to many unacceptable behaviour or due to their inability to cope with increasing academic pressure. For this reason we have organised the fair to encourage them to express their talents."

The education policy of Bangladesh is not concerned about the physically challenged children much less children with autism. There is no educational or training programme in the national or regional level for children with autism. There is no awareness even at the professional level and the general people do not know about autism, said Dr Rownak.

From this realisation to meet the demands of the autistic children, the AWF established on April 4, 2004 with the aim to give training and education to the autistic children to perform their maximum strengths and interests to making them able to support themselves.

The fair will remain open till September 23 from 10:00am to 2:00pm except Friday and Saturday.