Subarna Chakma :
Today, I want to tell you a special story. It’s a real story on special children. It was 19 years back, in 2000, five mothers gathered in Dhaka to provide educational facilities to their children with autism. Initially, they didn’t have any idea, specific target or even training how to raise their children as other independent human beings.
With their effective involvement very soon they along with their children started facing the challenges in a bid to survive with the mainstream society with limited resources and knowledge. Though sometimes they became upset to minimize the different types of need like equipment, training and other facilities for their kids; they did never quit the fight. It was a fight against nature; it was a fight against own fate.
The journey of the mothers was not smooth at all. However, the five mothers were the first planners and designers to form a body named- SWAC (Society for Welfare of Autistic Children). From the very beginning and till now it is a non-profit, non-government, non-political and voluntary organization, which is registered with the Department of Social Services under Societies Act of Bangladesh. Now SWAC operates a well-equipped intervention, education and training centre named SWAC School for Autism in Dhaka.
During research on autistic children, I have found that each child with autism is an individual; therefore, each child’s need is unique. So, keeping this in mind, an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) is needed to take carefully for each student based on his interests, talents, skills, abilities, differences and limitations. Each student also needs his individual schedule.
To raise the autistic children properly, it needs teachers and staffs who are very dedicated, caring, experienced and enthusiastic. It will be very helpful, if they get training in Evidence Based Practices by experts from foreign countries like India, UK, USA, Finland, Switzerland and Germany. Side by side, it is essential to keep psychologists, occupational therapists and speech & language therapist to work with special educators.
For the betterment of the autistic children, here are some suggestions for the government: (1) Mass awareness campaign through newspaper, radio, TV and other media in order to create better understanding about autism among the public and professionals throughout the country.
(2) Organizing surveys all over the country to collect data about the number of individuals with autism. (3) Provide diagnosis, assessment and clinical services to individuals with autism. (4) Arrange parent counselling. (5) Arrange international standard training programs for teachers, professionals, parents and caregivers. (6) Provide special education and training to individuals with autism starting from pre-school age with planned growth up to adulthood. (7) Provide vocational training to adolescents and adults with autism. (8) Inclusion of children with autism into mainstream schools. (9) Provide daycare facilities for children with working parents for after school hours. (10) Establish contact with local, national and international organizations working with autism and other disabilities. (11) Provide sponsorship to individuals with autism coming from low-income families. (12) Provide free treatment and special education to underprivileged disabled children. (13) Provide speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, sensory therapy, music therapy, art therapy, play therapy and water therapy to the individuals with autism. (14) Take steps in order to establish the rights of the individuals with autism.
I do believe there are a few things in life more devastating than having a child diagnosed with a disorder; and autism is one of the most challenging among all disorders. With early intervention for children from the age of 2-5 years, specialized schooling from 5-15 years and appropriate therapy many of the symptoms of autism can be reduced considerably.
Need of a special education and training centre:
Due to sensitivities and hyper mentality in children with autism, particular care is needed to maintain a safe, healthy and modified indoor environment, where students may function at their very best. The teaching methodologies should be on Evidence Based Practices. Special attention must be given to the factors that motivate each individual to learn. Through the practice of daily measurement of progress towards individual goals, teachers should keep track of the students’ progress. Data analysis will further help to make changes in each student’s program in order to achieve maximum progress.
In my long experience, I’ve seen that one-on-one interaction between student and teacher is highly effective to provide continuous opportunities for the students to communicate and learn new skills. In addition, there must be adequate facilities so that students could spend quality time each day in group activities such as music, art and games. As part of the individualized plan for each student, opportunities also should be created to teach them to interact with peers in order to acquire, practice and generalize appropriate social behaviours.
In the case of autism, parental involvement and cooperation in their child’s education and training is considered as pivotal. Usually, parents are considered as collaborative partners in the whole process. They must be kept abreast of their child’s progress through regular parent teacher meetings. They should also attend parent training sessions on building their knowledge and capacity. Parents also can spend some time in their child’s classroom to observe firsthand the teaching techniques and setting up an effective home rehabilitation programme.
We must set a goal for the special students; that is — they should learn how to communicate effectively, become increasingly independent, behave and interact appropriately with others in their homes, schools and communities along with enjoying their learning experiences. Besides, art, music, games, cooking and physical exercise are essential for the development of children with autism. Therefore, these should be included in the daily routine of all the students.
I feel proud that SWAC was awarded by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a successful organization working with autism on 2 April, 2019, also one of the students Sumaiya Tasnim Karim Arpa as a successful person with autism.
I am hopeful, some of adult persons with autism will find suitable employment in the community one day but for most autistic persons the chances are slim due to lack of awareness, acceptance and understanding about autism in the society. Even though there is a 10% job quota for persons with disabilities in the job market the employers are not accommodating, flexible, willing or prepared to implement this.
(Subarna Chakma, Chairperson, SWAC)
