Known widely for her work as a climate activist, especially her ‘Fridays for Future’ movement, Greta Thunberg also became one of the most well-known autism activists when the young activist shared her Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis with the world in 2019. In an interview with Simon Hattenstone, Greta had shared, “It [the diagnosis] was almost only positive for me. It helped me get the support I needed and made me understand why I was like this.” In another interview with The Guardian, she shared how her diagnosis had, in fact, been her ‘superpower.’
“A lot of people with autism have a special interest that they can sit and do for an eternity without getting bored,” she shared. “If you get to the right circumstance, if you are around the right people, if you get the adaptations that you need and you feel you have a purpose, then it can be something you can use for good. And I think that I’m doing that now.”
Greta Thunberg has become a symbol of how Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not always a weakness, and the great heights an individual can go to.
ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. It is called a ‘spectrum’ disorder because it varies widely in how it presents — some individuals may have mild symptoms, while others may have more significant challenges.
When you think about ASD in the context of Bangladesh, Greta’s positive words start to weigh heavy — given that the individual receives access to proper resources and is supported by an inclusive and accepting environment, only then can individuals with ASD reach their full potential. In fact, individuals with ASD are deprived of one of their most basic needs due to social stigma. As part of a dynamic approach to development, it is sometimes helpful for individuals with ASD to socialise.
In a conversation with Dr Helal Uddin Ahmed, a Child and Adolescent Psychologist, shed light on the stigma individuals with ASD face. “Individuals with autism need more socialisation, however due to social stigma, people discourage them from socialising with others, and are neither approached. They are even excluded from social interactions outside of their family for the fear that they will be called ‘crazy’,” shared Dr Ahmed.
Furthermore, TO LEAD A QUALITY LIFE, IT ALL STARTS WITH PROPER EDUCATION AND TRAINING. WITH THE PROPER RESOURCES AND AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT, ONLY THEN CAN AN INDIVIDUAL WITH ASD REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
Even though many specialised schools exist to help nurture children with ASD, a majority of these schools are located in Dhaka. As a result, only a fraction of individuals have access to the resources they need.
The ASD community has experienced undeniable development in the past 20-25 years, primarily in policy, yet Sabrina Sultana, activist and Founder of Krishty, an independent learning centre for differently abled individuals, points out that the tangible results are yet to be seen.
“Bangladesh has only progressed on the policy side. Beyond policy we need to start working on these things practically. These policies could be piloted in a few schools outside of Dhaka as we need these resources in place right now,” shared Sabrina.
In 2013, one of the most important steps was taken with the activation of the new law which stated that all citizens have the right to enjoy their dignity, fundamental human rights, and have social equality. This also means differently abled individuals have a right to proper education, participation in social and state activities, enrolment in regular schools, equal opportunities in employment, and more.
Beyond education, the integration of individuals with ASD into mainstream employment is essential. Sabrina Sultana highlighted that training initiatives, while beneficial, must ultimately pave the way for jobs beyond NGO-specific roles. The societal stigma surrounding ASD continues to impede access to these vital opportunities.
Dr. Ahmed pointed out that societal misconceptions about ASD contribute to a reluctance to seek necessary treatment. He explained that during early diagnosis, denial is common, with families hoping the condition will naturally improve. However, he stressed that ASD typically requires long-term intervention. He also highlighted the problematic tendency among some professionals to mistakenly equate ASD with intellectual disabilities.
Despite the challenges, people are in fact standing up to create inclusive environments. Private organisations such as Krishty have stepped forward to not only train individuals in different aspects, they also teach people how to become independent with practical life skills. Similarly, InclusionX also provides inclusive educational programmes, teaching differently abled individuals skills that will help them with employment. Furthermore, organisations such as PFDA – Vocational Training Centre Trust trains people with neurological disorders, including ASD, and provides support for employment.