Good news for the people with autism and their parents in Bangladesh. WHO’s mental health expert Saima Wazed Hossain announced the translation of Stephen Shore’s autobiography into Bangla language on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day on Friday.
Shore, a renowned self-advocate, was diagnosed with autism as a child. Despite that, he completed his PhD from Boston University. Currently, he is working as an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Adelphi University in the United States.
The autobiography, Beyond the Wall, gives a rare, detailed, and warm insight of his life. He always considers autism from a “strength-based model” rather than a disability angle.
Suchona Foundation published the book with Bangla title ‘Pracheer Periye’. Saima Wazed, daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is the chairperson of the Foundation.
“It was my great pleasure and honour when I learnt that Suchona Foundation wished to translate my autobiography into Bangla,” Shore said in a facebook and instagram message where Saima Wazed made the announcement about the book.
He expressed gratitude to the translators, and said in the book he described autism from the early childhood to an adult (himself), successful struggle of his parents, education strategies for teaching autism children and the important need to successfully navigate transition to adulthood in the areas of employment, continuing education and involvement in the community, friendship and intimate relations as well as effective skills in self-advocacy.
He said: “I believe by working together as parents, educators, professionals and allied field in concert with autistic individuals we can make fulfilling and productive lives for people with autistic spectrum disorders”.
Autism is a developmental disorder with symptoms that appear within the first three years of life. According to Autism Research Institute, the range of autism symptoms varies greatly. One individual may experience mild anxiety or avoid eye contact, whereas another may have much difficulty communicating and engage in severe tantrums. Knowing the common symptoms of autism can be helpful.
Many people did not have idea about autism even 10 years back in Bangladesh. But recent studies suggest 2 in 1000 children are suffering from autism in Bangladesh.
Saima Wazed brought the issue to the forefront in Bangladesh as well as in the region in 2011 by organising the first autism conference of South Asia in Dhaka.
A lot of activities began following the event. Parents who used to keep their children with autism inside home came out and formed group to raise awareness about the disorder.
Due to Saima Wazed’s initiative, the WHO adopted few resolutions on autism. Bangladesh also enacted trust act for the wellbeing of the children with neuro-developmental disorders. Now, parents are even posting the daily activities of their children with autism in social media.
In 2014, the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) awarded Saima Wazed with WHO Excellence Award for Public Health, saying that she has made 'a great mark' with her works on autism to put the neuro-development disorder on the UN agency’s map.
In her announcement about the new book, Saima Wazed, also a licensed school psychologist and Advisor to the Director-General of WHO on Mental Health and Autism, advised all to read ‘Pracheer Periye’ to know the journey of Stephen Shore.
Shuchona Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that works on advocacy, research, and capacity building, specialising in neuro-developmental disorders and mental health.
It aims to construct an effective bridge between national and international researchers, policymakers, service providers, people with neuro-developmental disorders, and their families to promote inclusion nationally, regionally, and globally.
The Foundation said the translated book will empower readers with the “inspiration and energy” to face their own challenges without fear and compromise. “It is a must-read for those who want to understand what it takes to fit in a complex, fast-paced, complicated world”.
The book will be made available in select outlets soon through a separate announcement.
