Every year on 2nd April, World Autism Awareness Day is being observed for creating awareness about this neuro-developmental disorder. These days, many people living in Bangladesh are familiar with the term "Autism". Even, we see mothers not living in urban areas bringing their child when they find a bit unusual about their child.
Children with autism find it very difficult to express their feelings, communicate the way they would like to and sometimes are associated with some odd behaviours. When parents bring their child to a physician to know what is wrong with their adored child, it is hard to unveil the news that their child is suffering from Autism.
But these children need special care and education, which will help them to grow in a better way. We usually refer them to the newly developed "Autism Center" in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) where they find other parents and feel that they are not only parents having children with autism. These parents can share their feelings, talk about their distress and feel better in some extent.
There are many schools are now developed in Dhaka city for these special children. Every year, BSMMU arranges a workshop for the parents having child with autism. It helps them to learn ways to deal with their children. Above all, parents are indeed the best teacher for their children in every way.
Many parents do not know where to go first with their child. For proper diagnosis, a psychiatrist can help. There is no specific investigation that can confirm autism. Managing children with autism is a multi disciplinary teamwork including psychiatrist, child neurologist, paediatrician, nutritionist, special education teacher, clinical psychologist and the school with special education.
One can get puzzled with this team approach? We suggest — when you think that your child is different from other children, you go for a consultation to a psychiatrist first. Then s/he will provide you other information. Sometimes children with autism develop some hyper-activities or some odd behaviour and need regular consultation from a psychiatrist as they can prescribe some medicine, which may reduce the hyper-activities and behavioural problems.
Being in a third world country like Bangladesh with limited resources, we have strong family bonding comparing with that of western countries. Along with the available services, we can use this well built family support to deal and manage our gifted children. Let us work hand in hand and make a secure future for these children.

The writer is a Psychiatrist working at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
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