Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury today urged all concerned to make all-out efforts to bring children with special needs including those, who are suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), to the mainstream of society.
"As autism is a specialized matter, so a massive campaign has to be carried out across the country that children with autism need special attention," she said while inaugurating "Blu Sky", a school for children with special needs run by Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) here.
Air Chief Marshal Sheikh Abdul Hannan and Chairman of Dhaka Mercantile Co-Operative Bank Limited Group Captain Abu Jafar Chowdhury (Retired) spoke on the occasion as the special guests.
President of Bangladesh Air Force Women's Welfare Association (BAFWA) Central Council Tahmina Hannan was present, among others.
Shirin Sharmin said the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly to build a prosperous Bangladesh for future generations. She also has taken various pragmatic programmes for the welfare of children with special needs.
In this connection, she referred to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had promulgated a number of laws and preserved the rights of children for their welfare.
"All development programmes have to be taken attaching special emphasis on children with special needs for flourishing their latent talent," Chowdhury said, adding that everybody has to come forward to build an inclusive humanitarian society.
She thanked Saima Wazed, daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Bangladesh Air Force for working for the development of children with special needs.
Later, the speaker unveiled the cover of two books-- "Kobitay Mujib (Mujib in Poetry) and "Bangamata". She also witnessed a cultural function presented by the students of the school.
Senior officials of the Air Force, teachers, students of the school and guardians, among others, attended the function.
