Mr. Mohiuddin Anwar
In Autism issue, the public awareness is a very important factor.
Saima Wazed Putul has taken a lead role for which she should
be appreciated.
No where in the world there is a Ministry for Autism Control...just tell us
why Bangladesh should be an exception?
This issue of Autism and other disablities among the population
has many aspects. Learning disabilities due to autism is primariliy
falls within the realm of education ministry..... whereas the health
ministry and social welfare ministry has to play their roles in the
appropriate cases.
Importantly, public attitude towards the disabled persons in general,
and autistc persons in particular are also very important.
In any case, Saima Wajed Putul has expressed clearly
""I have no interest in politics; I have no ambition to engage in politics,"
So keep her out of the question for a "ministry" for now.......
Her current initiative on autism issue is very positive and let her continue
on that ...Your appreciation on her dedication for the Autistic childrens of
Bangladesh is praise-worthy.
Thanks
Syed Aslam
PS:
Autism Speaks Goes to Bangladesh:
On Sun, Jul 31, 2011 at 1:47 PM, Mohiuddin Anwar <mohiuddin@netzero.net> wrote:
Mr. Aslam,Why you taking my comments personally.I am just expressing my opinion. Please see white as white and black as black.In other developed nations, first ladies/first daughters engage in publc services. Sheikh Hasina appointed Putul's father in law in the Ministry, it was ok, he is running the Ministry effectively , than why if she creates a MInistry to improve the condition od Autistic childrens of Bangladesh and appoints her daughter as Minister, what is wrong ? Afterv all first daughter Putul dedication her service for the Autistic Childrens of Bangladesh, no doubt about it.While Hasina and Khaleda won't be in this World, who will represent the party and government ?
Do you think other senior leaders will lead the party ?
This was my personal observation and requesting Hasina to appoint her daughter . They can accept it or not, that's their choice.If Hasina's political opponents give her good constructive advise, what's wrong to accept that for the greater interest of the rerpublic and its peopole ?
I think I explained my position.If Hasina does any good I will appreciate it, but if she does wrong I will oppose it, that's my intention..Many thanks,To: Mohiuddin Anwar <mohiuddin@netzero.net>
Subject: Re: Fw: Saima Wazed enters public life for raising Autism Awareness
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 13:19:25 -0400
Mr. Mohiuddin AnwarAre you using your sarcasm to express your life-long anti-Hasinagrudge and prove your pro-BNP-Jamaat dedication(by proposing Ministry of Autism Control)..?Perhaps you have not read the news just showing your intolerancebased of the headline of the news.The news item clearly says"NO-NO TO POLITICSTalking about a possible foray into politics, she said she has no intention."I have no interest in politics; I have no ambition to engage in politics,"said Saima, the granddaughter of Bangladesh's founding fatherBangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.She said, "My family is with me…a political family. So, if I can help ourchildren in disability and families with disability using the political influence,then I am hundred percent with them (the political family)."She encouraged everybody to 'come forward' and 'reach' her."Those who help me, I will also help them." ....."Undoubtly, Saima Wajed has brought new awareness about the Autismand related disability issues in the media that was hitherto had a verylow prirority in Bangladesh. This is very positive initiative that shouldbe well appreciated .....Autism Speaks Goes to Bangladesh:Thanks for your patience.Syed Aslam
On Sun, Jul 31, 2011 at 11:48 AM, Mohiuddin Anwar <mohiuddin@netzero.net> wrote:
Hasina administration should consider creating a new MInistry call Ministry of Autism Control and appoint her daughter and Autism Activist Saima Wazed Putul as a full Minister. Nation needs her service as she is the only internationally known Bangladeshi Autism activist.Autism is a life long disabilty and needs to be taken careearly by the government as well as private sector.If intervened and diagnosed and treated earlier much improvement can be done and those Autistic childrens could became almost nearly a regular person. Curently USA has the best treatment for this disease. Experts from USA's service could be taken to introduce latest Autism management in BangladeshAutistics childrens arenot a burden of the soiciety rather could become an asset and active part of the soiciety with proper management.I wish Mrs Putul will initiate Autism awareness as well as visionery Autism Management program in Bangladesh with active support of the Hasina admnistration.---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: Syed_Aslam3 <syed.aslam3@gmail.com>
Subject: Saima Wazed enters public life for raising Autism Awareness
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 08:35:25 -0400
Sun, Jul 31st, 2011 12:57 am BdST
'Bangladesh a role model in autism care'
bdnews24.com senior correspondentDhaka, July 30 (bdnews24.com) – 'Creative' utilisation of resources can bring smiles to the autistic children in Bangladesh where family bonding, robust healthcare facilities and IT infrastructure-like 'important tools' are in place for helping those gifted kids.
Saima Hossain Putul, the chief architect of the just-concluded mega conference on autism in the capital, feels there is no need of additional investment in autism care. What is needed is to be 'creative in utilising the existing resources'.
"We are not setting up anything new. We want to develop what already exists. I want cooperation, collaboration and partnership."
She also suggests incorporation of autism into the existing government programmes.
BANGLADESH SHOWS THE WAY
The USA-licensed school psychologist and daughter of prime minister Sheikh Hasina Saima, in an exclusive interview with bdnews24.com said the conference was 'the biggest boost for those who work on disability'.
Global research organisation Autism Speaks in collaboration with Bangladesh government organised the high-profile event that heard Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi, prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and Ilham Hussain, the wife of the Maldivian vice president.
Representatives from the Middle East countries and the United Nations also attended the conference.
"We garnered support from regional political leaders, experts and international institutions to generate greater awareness of autism."
According to Saima, Bangladesh has become a 'role model' for autism awareness after the successful completion of the first-ever international conference in the region.
"It's just the beginning…larger tasks lie ahead," she said.
The conference helped garner global support for the disability, she said. "We have given a direction to autism care. Those who came (to the conference) stand solidly behind us…hundred percent."
CALL TO PARENTS
She advised the parents of 'special kids' to come forward. "They are the best advocates. They can put forward the issue."
"I am with you," she told parents, "please let me know how I can help you. You are my guide and you are my teacher."
"It's (autism) such an issue that everyone is directly or indirectly affected. There is much about it we still do not understand. It's a complex (neuro) disorder."
The soft-spoken psychologist said every child is individually affected. "It's a specialised issue."
"No one can diagnose it considering a single trait," she said, "It has multiple factors."
"You have to see their language skills, mannerism, intellectuals, gross and fine motor skills and social skills to diagnose."
She said even medical professionals sometimes cannot understand the disorder.
"This is because they lack understanding and lack of knowledge. They (doctors) should not only be aware of it, but also understand it."
She said autistic children need support to function in the society. "They need support in the education system. They need medical support for many complications."
She called upon all for 'cooperation, collaboration and partnership'.
"We will work to make autistic children more functional, adaptive and productive members of the society…we want to help children. They are our future."
SOCIAL STIGMA
She termed disabled people in Bangladesh 'victims' of the society. "They are the victims. When you go outside, how many disable people you see? And why you don't see, is that they don't exist?
"We see disable people out of the streets in many countries. They come out, go for shopping, and even use public transport. But here you will not see them in shops or outside. They are social victims."
So the need of the hour is greater awareness. "Everyone must speak about it."
She urged media to highlight the special kids' achievements. Despite all challenges, one cannot even imagine how much they can achieve if they get proper attention, she says.
SOUTH ASIAN NETWORK
Saima said they had already formed a South Asian Autism Network. "It's a high-level political and professional alliance."
But it needs some formalities to come into action.
She said those who participated in the conference came with the full support of their respective governments.
"We have adopted Dhaka Declaration which was also unanimous," she said, "Of course it will be a challenge to implement them all."
"The UK has one of the best and most comprehensive support systems, but still they have challenges."
"We are a populated country. Majority of our people are poverty-stricken. We must target them. They do not have financial resources to seek support from other countries."
Putul said she had talked 'personally' with various ministers, including the health and social welfare ministers. "They are committed to work together."
COMMUNITY CLINICS
She said they have community clinics where there will be a community healthcare provider.
"What we need is to train them. They (community healthcare providers) could work as the first line of screening and also as the first line of professionals to get information."
If they are able to tell parents what to look for soon after giving birth, it will help identify the problem right in the beginning, she said.
"We already have a good IT infrastructure. It's a great help particularly in training.
"We cannot train all physically. We cannot even train all doctors. We must be judicious in this regard, too."
PARENTS' ROLE
Citing researches she said doctors do not do the necessary all the time.
"Parents and caregivers should be trained. If they are informed, they can take care of their kids constantly."
For instances, she said, establishing eye-to-eye contact is vital for autistic children.
"They miss social queue, unless. They face problem later when social issues get complicated. During early age, it's (eye-to-eye contact) not a problem."
A therapist can come once a day, but that will not suffice, she said. "It's the family members who have to take care of them."
"We are fortunate that we have joint families and closely-knit families. So our family structure can help parents manage those kids."
But they need to be taught, Saima says. "They are the best tools for autism. At the same time, they are also strong 'advocates' of the disability."
WEB-BASED TRAINING
Saima had also invited 13 USA-based international experts, who imparted post-conference training in BSMMU in the last three days (July 27 to July 29). Said she could organise more trainings, but that would have been 'sustainable.'
"They were ready to train more. They are with us. But we must build up our skills here to make it sustainable."
She says one can take trainings online as well. Citing researches, she said both web-based training and training with physical present are equally effective.
"We have that IT infrastructure that many countries do not have. The Maldives do not have internet facilities in all of its islands. But we have even in many of our villages."
She said there is no need of additional funding, if the existing programmes are utilised properly and creatively.
"Many of the government's development activities are overlapping, but nothing is related to autistic kids. We need to prioritise it. We have to be creative to get 'more bang for the bucks'."
GAPH INITIATIVE
"We launched Global Autism Public Health (GAPH) initiative. It was an initiative by the Autism Speaks to form global partnerships and learn from one another," Saima, also the Bangladesh envoy of research-based global organisation Autism Speaks, said.
They are launching the initiative in developing countries. "But we (Bangladesh) could make the biggest impact. We had four high-profile politicians of the region during the conference.
"I personally talked with them all. They will support us."
Even the World Health Organisation's director general sent their representative from the regional office, she said. "And they also vowed to support us."
"We cannot change anything over night. We have to work slowly and effectively for 'lasting effective change'."
NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Saima Putul, also chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism, says, "It's made up of international experts apart from few Bangladeshi experts.
"It's a small body. But there will be four task forces that will work on advocacy and awareness, education, service delivery and research."
She went to add, "We have also discussed it during the conference. The task forces will be independent, broader and more inclusive."
The task forces would monitor the overall activities of autism care. "They (members of the task force) are also experts. They will work on (the issue) and give feedback."
Asked about the availability of modern appliances for autism detection and care, she said, "We (Bangladesh) have tools and appliances that need to diagnose autism and help those children in developing their communications and behavioural skills.
"We can also bring more tools if necessary. I will do what whatever I can."
NO-NO TO POLITICS
Talking about a possible foray into politics, she said she has no intention.
"I have no interest in politics; I have no ambition to engage in politics," said Saima, the granddaughter of Bangladesh's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She said, "My family is with me…a political family. So, if I can help our children in disability and families with disability using the political influence, then I am hundred percent with them (the political family)."
She encouraged everybody to 'come forward' and 'reach' her.
"Those who help me, I will also help them."On Sat, Jul 30, 2011 at 9:24 PM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:____________________________________________________________Is Saima Wazed entering public life?
The international conference onAutism in Dhaka with high profile
participants like the Indian National CongressPresident and chief of
the UPA government Sonia Gandhi as chief guest with someother special
dignitaries saw in the sidelines the presence of another new facein
the person of Saima Hossain Wazed ( Putul) last week
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinapresented her daughter to the audience as
a social worker and specialist onautistic disorder who, she said, as
an organiser of the conference from behindthe scene has inspired her
to make arrangement.
But political analysts in thecapital wonder something that may have
bearing beyond the conference, ended atthe week-end after three-day
technical sessions with the adaptation of theDhaka declaration to set
up a joint platform to fight for the cause at regionallevel.
But they wonder at the same timewhy Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the Prime Minister's son
and her sister Sheikh Rehana weremost conspicuous by their absence
from the floor.
It may be part of a strategy,they said to allow Saima Wazed a singular
demonstrative outreach from theconference floor not be overshadowed by
any other family member.
It may be a good explanation ofthe absence of Joy. But how can one
explain the absence or lack of visibilityof Sheikh Rehana from the
floor, they said wondering is it also an agreeddecision or part of a
unilateral decision of the Prime Minister to go alone.
The high profile projection ofSaima Wazed at the opening of the
conference, her intensive interactions withSonia Gandhi on the floor
and the constant presence on the conference flooruntil it ended
brought her time and again on the TV camera lance portraying
heractivities as an emerging face to public life.
But analysts wonder how to lookinto the absence of Rehana from the
scene. Is it that she is going into thesideline in the way Ms Manika
Gandhi, widow of Sanjoy Gandhi disappeared fromthe center of politics
of the Gandhi family?
In India Rahul and Priyanka arenow dominating the political thinking
as the future heir of the Gandhidynasty.
The Prime Minister may also bepromoting her daughter to public life,
the Autism conference may have promptedit and there is nothing wrong,
analysts' say. But it looks like an excitingnews to many, they say.
http://www.thenewnationbd.com/newsdetails.aspx?newsid=13207
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