Seminar held to raise awareness about brain disorders

PESHAWAR: The Department of Bioinformatics at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU) and Pakistan Scientific and Technology Information Centre (PASTIC) jointly organised a seminar to raise awareness about brain disorder called autism.
Chief Minister’s Advisor for Social Welfare Dr Mehar Taj Roghani was the chief guest at the seminar titled “Causes, Symptoms and Early Treatment of Autism”. It was arranged to mark the World Autism Day.
SBBWU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Razia Sultana, in-charge Department of Bioinformatics Dr Farhat Humayun, PASTIC Director Nageen, Principal College of Home Economics Dr Kaniz Fatima and others spoke on the occasion.
A good number of students and faculty members of SBBWU attended the seminar.Speakers on the occasion informed the participants about autism, its signs and treatment. They said that with autism, different areas of the brain failed to work together. They said that autism was a genetic disease and it runs in families.
Dr Mehar Taj Roghani stressed the need for taking proper care of the mentally challenged people. She deplored social negligence towards disabled people. The adviser said the government and people would have to change their attitude and provide a facilitative environment for the special persons.
Dr Kaniz Fatima said autism was a genetic neurological disorder. She emphasised on providing a better environment to autistic children so that they could feel part of the normal society.Dr Muhammad Irfan of Peshawar Medical College gave a presentation on autism, its causes, characteristics and effective approaches to treatment. He elaborated common symptoms of autistic children, their deviated and anti-social behaviour and activities. The only treatment, he proposed, is cognitive development taught in natural setting.
Early diagnosis and treatment have helped more and more people who have autism to reach their full potential, he said.Nageen spoke about the aims and objectives of PASTIC. She thanked the SBBWU administration for arranging the event.Dr Razia Sultana lauded the department and PASTIC for arranging the fruitful seminar on the important topic. She also spoke about the lone woman university and its achievements.