State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin. Photo: BSS

Mushtaq Ahmed

DHAKA, May 13, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin has said the government has taken multi-faceted initiatives to bring back the country's autistic children to normal life by providing them with proper treatment. 

At the same time, the government has several projects for the development of people with autism and their inclusion in the mainstream society, she said in an interview with BSS at her office at the Secretariat here.

Sharmin said autism is a congenital neurological disorder, but it is never seen as a disease. 

Children and people with autism in the country are considered as specially abled, she said, adding that the government and the concerned agencies are taking multi-faceted initiatives to involve them in normal life.

The state minister said: “Children with autism have the right to education and services like normal life. Education, physiotherapy, parent counseling and other support programmes are being provided according to their special abilities. 

We want them to not only get the benefits of education and treatment, but also to be economically active and be involved in the country's economy.” she added.

She said the number of children and individuals with autism in the country is constantly increasing, so the government is increasing grants and other assistance for them under various projects. 

The state minister mentioned that the government wants those with autism to get employment opportunities according to their special skills so that they can make themselves self-reliant and actively participate in the society. 

She said the government's education system for people with autism is already effectively in place. However, she said, various steps are being taken to further improve the quality of education. 

Sharmin said some 800 teachers have been trained in the 2023-24 fiscal year and 220 teachers have received training in the fiscal 2024-25. Through this training process, the quality of student learning is being improved and teachers are able to ensure effective teaching according to the needs of special students, she said.

In addition, she said, training (activities of daily living) is ongoing for children with autism and other mental or physical disabilities. “In the current fiscal, 500 children and family members have participated in this training. Through this training, they are learning to do the basic tasks of daily life independently, which is playing an important role in their social and mental development.”

The state minister said special training programmes have also been taken up for doctors. In 2023-24, 51 doctors and 53 doctors in 2024-25 received training on the treatment and care of people with autism and other mental/physical disabilities, she said. 

Through this training, she said, it will be possible to provide autism-related services in a more organised manner at various district and upazila levels of the country.

Stating that the mental health of families of children with autism is also under the government's watch, Sharmin said the families of children with autism are often under mental stress and they may develop long-term mental health problems. 

“Therefore, we have taken a special project so that the family members can receive counseling and psychological support." 

She further mentioned that through this project, the families will feel that their children can live a normal life and this will help them maintain relationships with society and remain mentally healthy.
 
“This government initiative is being provided at a lower cost than the private sector, so that everyone can avail of this service,” she said. 

Noting that the government is taking various service activities not only for autism but also for all people with special needs, the state minister said educational, service and employment opportunities are also being ensured for physically challenged, hearing impaired, visually impaired and other mentally challenged people in different districts of the country.
 

“This is an integrated plan through which people with special needs can become self-reliant through education, health and employment.” 

Citing government data, she said 14 Autism and Individual Development Centres are currently operational in the country, and 260,196 people received various services from these centres and there is a total record of providing 12,39,820 services.

The state minister said educational programmes, physiotherapy, vocational training, rehabilitation programmes and cultural activities are being conducted in these centres.

Sharmin said the government is expanding opportunities for people with autism and other disabilities through development projects.
 
Two main centres are operating in Dhaka, where occupational therapy, language therapy, social coordination and health-related programs are being conducted for children and youth, she said. 

In addition, she said, assistive devices and supports are being provided to the concerned families.

Under the government projects, children with disabilities are able to participate in various training and activities, including vocational skill development, daily living skills and cultural activities, the state minister mentioned.

Stating that the government has also taken initiatives in the field of international cooperation, she said more emphasis is being put on disabled sports and paralympics  games, which increase the physical capabilities of disabled people and improves their self-confidence. 

Sharmin said children with autism should be accepted like normal children, and families and society should be aware and not to create any kind of social stigma.

The state minister further mentioned that the government has also launched various projects for the development of people with autism and other disabilities. 

“This is a comprehensive plan that ensures quality education, healthcare and employment opportunities. In addition, government initiatives continue to increase family mental health and social awareness.”

She said it is the responsibility of all to give the children with autism a chance to live a normal life and remove social stigma. With the government's initiatives and the support of society, they will be able to become independent, capable and a full part of the society, she added.