Bangladesh

Statement by H. E. Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, New York at a Special event on Autism and Developmental Disabilities on November 19, 2012 at the ECOSOC Chamber, UN, New York.

Good afternoon.

His ExcellencyVuk Jeremic, President of the UN General Assembly and his wife Natasha Jeremic, Special Representative of the Secretary General Shamshad Akthar, ASG, Distinguished academia and philanthropists, students of Special Ability, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Let me begin with two short stories.

Story number one. When Albert Einstein was sent to his elementary school, he cut a very sorry figure in all exams. His disappointed father, out of a fatherly love and emotion, changed schools after schools for a better future for his kid. Unfortunately, nothing worked. The school authorities finally declared that his son Albert had no future and that he was not like the rest of other students.

Story number two. I think most of us are not familiar with the name Robert Allen Zimmerman. Yes, he was just an average Joe and was a subnormal student in Minnesota suburb and subsequently he dropped out of his college and moved to New York where his idol, the legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie was hospitalized with a rare hereditary disease of the nervous system. Dylan visited Woody regularly in his hospital room; he also became a regular in the folk clubs and coffeehouses of Greenwich Village; and began writing songs at an astonishing pace.He had nothing extraordinary to catch our attention as a young man. But when he found his right track in the coffee houses outside school, we all came to know him. Ladies and gentlemen, he is our all time fame none other than Bob Dylan, one of the greatest folk rock singer-songwriter, musician, author, poet and artist of our time.

I can mention hundreds of names of this type of talents, starting from Beethoven and Mozart of medieval time to contemporaryStephen Hawkins, Steve Jobs,Stevie Wonder or Bill Gates. All of these luminaries were treated differently in their child and youth hood for they were not like other students. They were different. This difference is what science is now describing as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Disorders (DD).

ASD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication and may have uncommon qualities. Autism symptoms vary by person and range from mild to severe. Individuals with autism are significantly more likely to have intellectual disability and other mental and physical conditions that occur in typically developing children. Similar to other developmental disorders, autism has a childhood onset but persists into adolescence and adulthood, affecting the cognitive, emotional, educational and social attainments of persons affected, thereby bringing significant economic hardship to their families. Due to the complexity of the manifestation of ASD and lack of any known cure, treatment for ASD requires a multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach.

ASD and developmental disorders (DD) transcend geographic, economic and cultural boundaries. ASD is the fastest growing serious developmental disability and since 2002 its growth rate is around 57 per cent. It is estimated that 1% of the world’s population or 70 million are affected by autism. Today an estimated 1 in 88 children is autistic in the United States (CDC 2012) with comparable prevalence estimates in other regions of the globe. Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism.

Parallel to the growing burden of ASD its cost to individuals, families and society is also staggering. A recent study estimated the individual lifetime cost of autism to be $1.4 million, and annual societal cost to be $137 billion. Unfortunately, autism receives less than 5% of the research funding and many believe, there is no medical cure for autism, however, early diagnosis and intervention can improve outcomes.

Under this backdrop, we have chartered a plan to address the issue of ASD and DD. After a series of activities, Bangladesh has tabled a resolution on ASD in the 67th UNGA titled “Addressing Socio-Economic Needs of Individuals, Families and Societies Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Developmental Disorders (DD) and associated disabilities”. I thank all member statesthat contributed in finalizing a clean text of the resolution and support our effort by providing inputs and all out support in the negotiation process.

This UN resolution will help the people and families with developmental disorders and will become a part of our life in terms of economic contribution, social participation and political significance. This resolution encourages Member States to take measures to raise awareness throughout society, including at the family level, regarding individuals with ASD and DD;

It calls upon the governments to strengthen their mental health services and prepare them to attend to the needs of people with developmental disorders and autism;

It urges the United Nations System, including the World Health Organization, International Financial Institutes and other relevant UN Agencies to provide appropriate and adequate technical support and assistance to Member States in the implementation of actions towards increased public awareness and scientific evidence, and improved health care services for children with developmental disorders including ASD and DD, in the context of integrated case services for individual mental health;

I am pleased to report that many countries expressed their support and willingness to sponsor it. I am thankful to them. Given that the resolution is now almost clean with overwhelming support from member states, we urge you to come forward to cosponsor the resolution that will give us the feelings that we are not alone as to the implementation of the provision of the resolution and that, we all will fight hand in hand to advance the cause of Autism and Disability. Today’s special event is a humble effort from us to manifest this appeal at your kind disposal.

My colleagues will reach your desk with necessary papers to co-sponsor the resolution.

Before introducing our today's Honored Guest, may I take this opportunity and request all of you to applaud Bob and Suzanne Wrights, Co-founders of Autism Speaks, and Ms. Saima Wazed Hossain, Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee of GAPH-Bangladesh, the spirit behind our efforts and also my colleague Dr. Tauhidul Islam for his indomitable services. We are indebted to their commitment, their spirit and hard work.

Finally now I have the privilege to give the floor to today’s Honored Guest His Excellency Vuk Jeremic, President of the General Assembly. You have the floor Sir.