Majhar Mannan :
Autism Day is celebrated worldwide on April 2 and on this day the United Nations announces various programs to its member countries to raise awareness about people with autism. The day was nominated by the UN General Assembly under Article 62/199, and the resolution was passed in 2007. Autism is a developmental problem in children and children with autism usually cannot communicate normally with others.
Children with autism are usually very stubborn and prefer to isolate and wrap themselves up, but researchers believe that genetic, non- genetic, environmental influences are responsible for autism. However, experts claim that such problems can be controlled by adequate care and awareness raising. Autism was once a neglected public health issue and there was a negative perception of society about autism but over time that perception has changed and today there is a lot of data available on autism.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s daughter Saima Wazed Putul’s relentless efforts have raised awareness about autism at the national and international levels. She started working in the country with autism in 2007. Many children in Bangladesh have autism and various care and medical facilities are being ensured for these children. The number of children with autism is on the rise worldwide but awareness has not yet reached a sufficient level. Different behavioral changes are seen in a child as he or she grows older, but when these behavioral changes are not observed, the child is assumed to be suffering from a mental disorder. Autism is a complex neuro-developmental disorder and there are still many opportunities to work globally with this Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
According to a survey, 1 out of 58 children in the country is born with autism, and boys are four times more likely to be infected than girls. A child with autism has some symptoms and these are: 1. Children with autism do not get along well with everyone 2. Learn to speak much later in life. 3. Children with autism cannot speak eye to eye 4. They repeat the same thing over and over again 5. They do not easily understand body language and gestures 6. They are very stubborn and have extreme indifference to the outside world 7. They are very sensitive to the outside world 8. They are usually incapable of making social relation and unable to express their feelings through physical gestures 9. Children with autism usually do not develop friendships with peer children and they cannot share their joys and sorrows with each other, even if someone caresses them 10. They are accustomed to the same behavior and prefer to continue with the routine and feel very uncomfortable with a few exceptions.
There are many superstitions and misconceptions about autism and many believe that it is not possible to get rid of it but autism can be cured if proper care and treatment are ensured. Many scholars, including Albert Einstein, Mozart and Bill Gates have overcome such obstacles and they have reached the pinnacle of success.
Problems like autism can be easily controlled through patience, proper care and awareness. If a child has autism, it can be detected within three years and can be cured with proper care and proper treatment and timely intervention. About 10 to 20 percent of children with autism recover fairly well between the ages of 4 and 6. 60 per cent of children with autism cannot live alone or independently due to various reasons and have to depend on others. Children with autism need to be trained very carefully and patiently because without proper counseling these children can not be freed from autism. Children with autism need to be trained to do things that are essential to their survival. Since children with autism are hypersensitive, there is a need to adjust the sensitivity.
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy work well to relieve children with autism. There has already been a lot of research on how we should treat children with autism. Family members need to talk a lot with the child with autism and they should give them time and must work to improve their language skill. Children with autism need to be taught a subject first and repeat it over and over again so that they can learn it. If a child cannot speak, he should be taught to do something through gestures or body language. Children with autism should be allowed to play more with their peers so that they can upgrade themselves. These children should not be neglected in any way and should be cared for at all times. Children with autism need to be taken to a variety of family social and religious events. Children with autism can easily get rid of autism if adequate counseling, nutritious food and adequate sports and beautiful environment are provided.
(Mr. Mannan is Assistant Professor, B A F Shaheen College Kurmitola,
Dhaka Cantonment).
