Prof MR Khan addresses a workshop at the Autism Welfare Foundation office in the city yesterday. On his left is Dr Rownak Hafiz. Photo: STAR

With a view to creating awareness about autism and its management among the parents, a two-day workshop began in the city yesterday.
Some 50 parents from in and outside Dhaka are taking part in the workshop organised by the Autism Welfare Foundation in association with the Dutch Bangla Bank Limited.
The workshop will help participants understand the difference between autism and mental retardation, how to diagnose autism, the ways to help autistic children at home and the necessity of special education for them.
At the inaugural session of the workshop at the Autism Welfare Foundation, National Prof MR Khan said there are only a few schools for autistic children in the country and these are mostly based in Dhaka.
People should think about spreading these centres outside the capital so that not a single autistic child is left out from education and treatment.
" Autism is a neurological and behavioural problem and if the autistic children get proper training and cooperation, their conditions can improve much," said Foundation Chairman Dr Rownak Hafiz.
Early diagnosis and intensive behavioural intervention can have a significant and lasting positive impact on autistic children, she said, adding that as the people are now becoming aware of autism gradually, and taking their children to doctors and specialists, the rate of autism diagnosis has increased considerably.
She said the preconditions for good autism programme are teachers having good knowledge of autism, autism-friendly environment, provision for enough teaching material and good parent-teacher partnership.
“As the home is the first school for every child, the parents also should know how to manage the autistic children properly. It is important for the parents to find child's strength and weakness, form a support group within the family, make list of problems and solve them step by step,” she added.
Consultant of Dutch Bangla Bank Limited Dr Mozammel Hossain Khan also spoke at the inaugural session.
Some 140 students are now studying at Autism Welfare Foundation, but as the authorities cannot arrange seat for more students, its service is being provided through a package programme.