The Society for the Welfare of Autistic Children (SWAC), a nongovernmental organisation, launched its website yesterday.

The website, www.swacbd.org, will provide detailed information about the activities of the organisation and autism, said Anwar Hossain, chairman of the SWAC, at the launching ceremony at its Lalmatia centre in the city.

BNP lawmaker Fazlul Haq Milon attended the ceremony as chief guest.

The website was developed by Farhana Rahman, mother of an autistic child, and Dr Sirazi Munira, principal secretary of the centre.

Addressing the ceremony, the speakers said the centre needs a large open space for the autistic children and a workshop to train them on self-help skills.

They also sought financial support from the government, nongovernment organisations and affluent members of the society to carry out their activities for the welfare of autistic children.

The SWAC was formed on February 3, 2000 by a group of parents of autistic children with only six children. Now it has 54 students of different ages.

The centre puts emphasis on developing communication and social skills, functional education, acceptable behavioural patterns and selfhelp skills.