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Autism Awareness Day observed

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 2 � Guwahati celebrated �World Autism Awareness Day� along with rest of the world to show solidarity with the children affected with autism, a complex neurological disorder, resulting in lack of co-ordination between mind, body and environment.

The Assam Autism Foundation hosted an awareness campaign at Nehru Stadium along with a peace march through the streets of Guwahati to attract the society�s attention to the individuals suffering from disabilities.

The awareness campaign was kicked off by noted author Mamoni Raisom Goswami along with Kallol Bordoloi, a child diagnosed with autism.

�The incidence of autism has shown a 25-fold increase in the last 30 years and research in this field has defied all logical explanations to the increase. A preliminary survey done by the AAF in collaboration with the Indian Academy of Pediatrics in 2007 have shown similar concerns of rising trend in India. Autism in Assam is also on the rise,� said Dr Sabina Ahmed, managing trustee of the Assam Autism Foundation.

�World Autism Awareness Day is being celebrated world wide today to bring awareness among the people about this growing health crisis. This day aims to bring the world's attention to autism, specially in its early diagnosis, intervention and social inclusion,� she added.

Experts have pointed out that breast cancer, prostate cancer and autism are three diseases that do not have any definite cause.

�These diseases are on the rise because of the chemical in the environment. Further, our ground water analysis has shown increased arsenic, cadmium, mercury, copper and lead. Many of these substances have proved as hazardous to children leading to changes in genetic potential and neurological damage,� she mentioned.

President of the organization SN Das, while speaking on the occasion, said that the government should take the responsibility to ensure fundamental right of both normal and special children.

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