Proper care, nurture and ensuring necessary opportunities can be the crucial means of flourishing latent talents of the autistic and mentally retarded children.
Simultaneously, utmost emphasis should be given on creating adequate awareness among the pregnant mothers and parents for building a healthier society through reducing the risks of autism and physical disability of newborn babies.
The observation came at a participatory discussion here at the office conference hall of Deputy Conference (DC) today. District administration and the Department of Social Services (DSS) jointly organized the discussion to mark the World Autism Awareness Day-2023.
Theme of the day this year is "Transformation: Toward a Neuro-Inclusive World for All'.
DC Abdul Jalil and Additional DC Kolyan Chowdhury addressed the discussion as chief and special guests respectively with DSS Deputy Director Hasina Momtaz in the chair.
Civil Surgeon Dr Saiful Islam and Assistant Director of DSS Dr Abdullah Al Firoj also spoke on the occasion disseminating their expertise on the issue.
The present situation on autism and disability in the country as well as in the district, and the globe as a whole was discussed elaborately in the meeting.
It has also cited various government steps for ensuring welfare of the autistic and physically challenged children.
DC Abdul Jalil said all government and non-government entities concerned should come forward and work together to ensure fundamental rights of the people with special needs through using modern technologies.
The present government has been working relentlessly for ensuring rights of people with disabilities including autism and their access to socio-economic activities like education and employment.
He thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul for taking various steps in establishing rights of the autistic children and disabled people to ensure their education, treatment and other requisite facilities.
A total of fourteen ministries of the government are coordinating the issue of ensuring rights of people with disabilities, he added.
Besides, education programmes for the disadvantaged group, parent meeting, training for doctors, field-level health and social workers are being implemented in a coordinated way.
Abdul Jalil said people with neuro developmental disabilities deserve the service and support to help them lead normal and happy lives.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha