KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday said the celebration of World Autism Awareness Day fostered greater understanding and empathy and the day not only inspires parents into seeking early intervention therapies, but also called for the full integration of persons with autism into society.

This he said while speaking at a programme organised to observe World Autism Day at the Centre for Autism Rehabilitation and Training Sindh (C-ARTS).

CM Shah called for greater access and work opportunities for the persons with autism.

“We have made a good deal of progress but much more needs to be done,” he said, adding that he was encouraged by the growing public awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the improvement in public services to autistic individuals in Pakistan, especially in Sindh.

Says satellite autism centres will be set up at Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Sukkur and Larkana this year

He said celebrating the day not only inspired parents into seeking early intervention therapies, but also called for the full integration of persons with autism into society.

He said his government was proud of C-ARTS. “It is a matter of great pride for us to run Pakistan’s first-ever government-run autism centre and Braille printing press right here in the city of lights.”

The CM announced that an Autism centre had been opened at Hyderabad’sLatifabad locality, which was providing every autism rehabilitation service since the last eight months.

He added that a Sindh government building had been allotted at Korangi, No. 2 for persons of age group above 17 years. “This building has already been handed over to C-ARTS to commence the service and the inauguration of this centre will be conducted next month,” he said.

The chief minister said that Satellite Autism Centres would be established at Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Sukkur and Larkana this year. Similar centres would be established at divisional level in Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Sukkur, Larkana and soon similar facilities would be established at district levels.

Mr Shah said that the people of Sindh with autism had talent galore and an incredible potential.

He lauded the faculty members of C-ARTS for using assistive technologies, which enabled non-verbal persons with autism to communicate and share their untapped capabilities.

“The government of Sindh recognizes the prowess of persons in the autism spectrum, rather than focusing on their weaknesses. We believe it is essential to create a society that is truly inclusive,” he said.

He added that unfortunately, employment of people with autism was low even at places with high awareness, therefore, it was essential for public and private organisations to understand their unique and often exceptional skills, and to enable a positive work environment where they could excel.

Mr Shah said that autism needed to be taken seriously as it was devastating to see the lives of many young people and adults go to waste. “We need to act and act fast, as every day that we do not act is a day that has gone to waste,” he concluded.

Earlier, the chief minister inaugurated the play area for the children at C-ARTS.

CM’s Special Assistant Sadiq Memon, Secretary Akhtar Bugti, Dr Rufina Soomro and others also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2022