The visiting delegation had the opportunity to tour a school for intellectually disabled and autistic children in Manikganj, a branch of SWID Bangladesh. The children being taught there are not only wonderful but also spontaneous. Many of them showcased their talents through dance, singing, acting, and various cultural activities that captivated the audience.
The teachers, along with the managing committee, are exceptionally cordial, managing the school through their own initiatives and voluntary contributions from local individuals. Luna Sharmin, the dedicated Principal, has been passionately and voluntarily working since 2006. However, the school requires more support moving forward.
The institution is in dire need of increased investments and funding in the field of Neuro-developmental Disabilities. There’s a significant scope of work, including advocacy for the disability movement, raising social awareness about disabled children, addressing their education, socialization, social security, legal rights, entertainment, employment rehabilitation, and social dignity, among others.
Appropriate measures, such as providing special education, vocational training, and integrated school & inclusive education through parental and social cooperation, are crucial to achieve normalization of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (PWID) and Autism.
Additionally, arranging clinical and therapeutic services, including assessments, counseling for parents, speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and intensive care for children with Down syndrome and Cerebral palsy, could significantly enhance the well-being of the special-needs children at the school and across Manikganj gradually.