On December 18. 2007, The United Nations General Assembly

designated April 2 as the 'World Autism Awareness Day1. To mark the day — for the first time in Bangladesh - and to create awareness on autism among the masses,

Society for the Welfare of Autistic Children (SWAC) in cooperation with ActionAid Bangladesh and NFOWD arranged a daylong programme at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture on April 2. The programme featured an arts and crafts fair, general discussion and a cultural programme.

Young artist Aadil Haque inaugurated the arts and crafts fair. Several numbers of sketches, paintings, and potteries by the children with special needs were included in the fair.

National Professor and Chief Advisor of SWAC, M. R. Khan was the chief guest at the discussion. He said, "A decade ago people in our country were not well aware of autism. But at present we are able to arrange programmes on autism day, with the UN taking initiative to mark the day, which itself is a positive step.

Mansur Ahmed Chowdhury, managing director, Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation; Professor Naila Zaman Khan; Farah Kabir, country director, ActionAid Bangladesh and Khandaker Zahurul Alam, president, NFOWD were special guests.

President of SWAC, Anwar Hossain presided over the programme.

Later, children took part in a cultural programme, performing songs, recitation, dance and a short play.

The short play featured the obstacles autistic children face at home and in the community.