Help autistic children living outside Dhaka

By Mahmuda Khatoon and S. M. Masudul Islam Jessore
5 March 2006, 18:00 PM
It is a newly recognised truth that the parents of autistic children are facing the toughest challenges, yet there is no headway and the parents are continually frustrated with their children. We don't know the actual number of autistic children throughout the country, but we have learnt that there are some institutes in Dhaka that have been supporting autistic children and their parents are becoming a little more relaxed because of this. However a large number of parents and their autistic children living outside Dhaka city do not have any contact with these institutes.

It is our pledge to support and create opportunities for all the children equally as a nation that is a signatory to UNCRC, but in reality we find discriminations everywhere. To reduce this discrimination and for ensuring the rights of children we have to think with more empathy. We know our resources are limited, but our true and strong determination may solve these problems. We thank those who have taken the initiative to support the autistic children in Dhaka and at the same time we wish they would think about the children living outside Dhaka; the government should also pay attention and support these autistic children. Considering their limited resources, we would like to suggest that they arrange for a skilled team from Dhaka to visit outside cities/towns weekly to support the autistic children and their parents and gradually they can develop a professional team at regional level.

The government and the leading institutes may take the initiative and make plans to develop this kind of support. We think that through this process many autistic children and their families who are living outside Dhaka will be benefited. We trust that our appeal for help will be received with empathy.