Despite being over three years old, Zayed Imam Apon did not respond to his name, struggled with independent tasks, and exhibited extreme restlessness, often screaming loudly.

Worried about his delayed development, his parents, Jafar and Sharmin, consulted a pediatric specialist in Dhaka. Apon was diagnosed with autism, with his developmental delays linked to the condition. As he grew, his challenges became increasingly complex.

Sharmin, Apon's mother, said, "After Apon's autism diagnosis, we had another daughter, Jeba. When we took her to the doctor, we were informed that she has Down syndrome. My husband runs a small pharmacy in Gopalganj, which barely covers our household expenses, let alone the costs of our children's treatments or special school fees.”

“We came across the Bashundhara Special Children Foundation on social media, which gave us hope. We learned that this school provides free education for children with disabilities from underprivileged families. Renting a house near the school, we enrolled both children," she added.

In just six months, Sharmin noted remarkable changes in both children. "Apon can now sit still, use the toilet independently, respond when called, and even engage in conversation. Our three-year-old daughter has learned to call me 'Ma.' When she says 'Baba,' her father cannot hold back his tears. After years, we are hearing our children call us by these words."

The Bashundhara Special Children Foundation, located near the Bashundhara Riverview Project in South Keraniganj, operates two large multi-storey buildings, offering free education to 404 children with disabilities from impoverished backgrounds.

Founded on 1 March 2017, the foundation provides more than academics, teaching these children self-care, arts, crafts, religious studies, and life skills such as financial management and occupational skills.

Children also receive therapies like physiotherapy, speech therapy, language therapy, and occupational therapy, with hands-on training provided to mothers for home care.

The foundation's head teacher, Shayla Sharmin, highlighted their comprehensive curriculum, which integrates expertise from psychologists, therapy specialists, and educators. “Students here are learning daily life skills, language, social interactions, and vocational skills alongside co-curricular activities such as art and sewing. Every child undergoes assessment, and a personalised education plan is developed. Their progress is evaluated biannually, and we encourage them with awards," she said.

During a visit, it was observed that the school employs unique teaching methods tailored to different sections based on age and physical and mental development. For instance, in the ASD-2 section, teacher Nurul Amin was teaching children about different grains, such as rice, wheat, and mustard, using labelled jars.

Student Farhan's mother, Saima, shared a similar story. "Even after turning two, Farhan did not respond or talk. He was diagnosed with autism and started walking very late. Upon learning about this school, we moved to Keraniganj and rented a house nearby. In eight months, the progress in Farhan's development has been noteworthy."

The Bashundhara Special Children Foundation serves as a beacon of hope, providing an environment where children with disabilities can thrive and achieve independence.

BDST: 1334 HRS, DEC 15, 2024