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Nishpap: Ray of hope for the autistic

Pranabesh Chakraborty
Shubhanil from his childhood is different from other children. He could not adjust with members of his family, including his parents. He was not interested in playing or other activities that children do as usual, as he is an autistic child. But the nine-year-old boy now draws pictures and is able to make others understand his necessity.
He is learning his vocational and other lessons in Nishpap, a school run by the guardians of autistic children in the port city.
Ribu and Mahi, students of the school, have drawn many pictures depicting nature. They respond to others through occupational therapy and other process. And, they are learning those in the school, a non-traditional, non-profitable and welfare institute in Chittagong.
Nishpap launched its journey in July in 2010 with only four autistic children in the Panchalaish residential area. Later it was shifted to Katalgonj residential area near Chawkbazar as number of students has
increased. It has now 22 students.
There are 17 teachers and four assistants who look after and train the children at the school. It has also 50 donors and over 200 life members.
With a view to training up the autistic children, to helping understand the characteristics of guardians and above all to making them self-reliant through vocational education, it continues its activities.
Autistic Children Development and Welfare Centre (ACDWC), Chittagong is one of the organisations which is running Nishpap for the autistic children. The school also trains the guardians how to behave with their autistic children.
Engineer Jhulan Kumar Das, secretary of ACDWC, said he was worried about his son when doctor confirmed that his son is suffering from autism. He took his son to Monobikash Kendra in Kolkata where doctors told him that there is no treatment for it. Only training the autistic children and understanding their behaviour are solution to those kind of cases, Jhulan added.
Doctors in Kolkata told him that two institutes in Chittagong are working on autistic children where he can admit his son.
He said he first tried his child to adapt with general school but failed as he was not able to receive the lessons.
Later, Taufiquel Alam Bablu, SM Ali Akbar and Jhulan established Nishpap, a special school for the autistic children.
Now many kind hearted men have extended their helping hands to the organisation. It is an achievement of the institute, he added.
The programmes in the school include creating awareness among guardians through counselling, training for the guardians and teachers, preparing the suitable students for the mainstream schools and arrange seminars, conferences to aware the people of the country.
Jhulan said they need a piece of land and own building as many guardians now want to admit their children in the institution seeking government's help in this regard.
Dr Basana Muhuri of Chittagong Medical College (CMC) who is working on the issue and also a guardian of an autistic child, told The Daily Star that in Chittagong autistic children need many special educations like occupational therapy and sensory therapy.
Dr Basana said through these therapies and processes, the communication skills and socialisation of the autistic children are developed so that they can adapt with the society.
Many guardians have come forward to establish such institutions in the country but government's support is needed for transforming the institutions into bigger ones, Dr Basana, also adviser of Nishpap, said.
“In our country, one in every 110 persons is autistic. So every conscious peerson should come forward and stand united for making a brighter future of the autistic children”, she said, adding that it is a matter of hope that present government is taking initiatives to reduce the problems of persons with autism.