Nutrition must to cut number of children with autism
Speakers at a programme in the capital yesterday stressed the importance of creating awareness among people to reduce the number of children born with autism.
They said, during pregnancy, it is important for a woman to have proper nutrition for giving birth to a healthy baby. After the birth, the mother needs to gather knowledge about child nutrition for the baby's brain development, they added.
Autism is not a disease but a condition of children's brain development, the speakers said, adding that superstitious beliefs in the society had created a hindrance to overcoming the problem.
Nutrition And Autism Research Centre (NAARC) held the event at Dhaka International Trade Fair in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. NAARC inaugurated a care centre at the fair venue to create awareness among people. During the fair hours, a specialist will provide treatment to children with autism every day, said NAARC Chairman Arifur Rahman Ripon.
NAARC has been creating awareness among people over the last five years and providing treatment at the trade fair in the last three years, he added.
Attending as a chief guest, Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia said many parents in rural areas feel shy to talk about their children with autism.
He praised the NAARC initiative and said awareness building activities should be spread to the remote areas.
Public Health Foundation Chairperson Prof Fatima Ashraf, NAARC Executive Director Tamanna Sharmin, Export Promotion Bureau Director General AFM Manzur Kadir, and former director of Institute of Public Health Prof M Muzaherul Huq, among others, spoke.
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