THOUGH rights of autistic children are much discussed on the World Autism Day subsequent progresses made to ameliorate their conditions turns out to be little so far. A report in a national English daily on Wednesday said, nine out of ten children having autistic problems are deprived of special care and mainstream schooling facility in Bangladesh though the Disabled Persons Protection and Rights Act – 2013 ensures their enrolment at every educational institution. The 2013 BANBAIES data shows about 90,000 children of special needs of five types – physical handicap, poor eyesight, short of hearing, problem in speech, intellectual/mental – were enrolled in 59,770 government and registered non-government primary schools in 2012 while the total figure of autism affected children are so far no less than around 280,000. It is an unofficial estimate while the government has no nationwide statistics in this regard. According to WHO, the prevalence rate is 8 per 1,000 in Bangladesh, close to the global situation.
There are some traits related with autism that includes a complex neuro-developmental disorder defined by impaired social interaction, communication deficits, restricted interests, and repetitive behavioral patterns.
We hold the view that the autism factor should be given due priority at our administrative and socio-cultural levels in coordination with GO-NGO initiatives so that they can groom children overcoming the mental hindrance. Our Prime Minister is taking special care about the problem which is hitting hard many families. At every level, the rights of these disabled people must not be ignored. To destroy the social prejudices about autism and autistic children, education is a must. Only education can change people’s attitudes towards the social norms about autistic people and bring them to the mainstream of public life.
Children with disabilities have the right of equal opportunities according to the National Education Policy 2010. The physically or intellectually impaired children, therefore, have the right to be enrolled in any educational institutions without facing discriminatory treatment. But we are shocked to learn that some authorities refuse to enroll students with autistic disabilities to schools although the government has asked all primary schools to enroll them.
This negative attitude actually defies not only the human rights, but also the constitutional rights of the impaired people. Beside, special school arrangements for differently disabled children are very few and most of them are also expensive and out of reach of middle-class people. Admission fees for children in these schools is Tk 50,000 and more and the monthly tuition fee varies from Tk 3,000 to Tk 10,000. It is too costly to bear for a guardian. Moreover, there is hardly any special school facility for the children with disability in rural areas.
We share the view that awareness among teachers can play a vital role in enrolling disabled students with special needs. It is certainly a good initiative that early intervention in raising autistic affected children is important for their schooling. We must take all necessary steps including deployment of different learning tools for them in mainstream and specialized schools. We must also change attitudes to promote respect for them and to make them part of the working society without prejudice.
