Few Words About Autism

                                                        Autism

People with autism have challenges with communication and social skills. They often find it hard to have conversations and may not pick up on social cues. Some people with autism may not talk at all, and others may talk very well. But all will have some challenges making friends and communicating socially.

People with autism also have some type of restricted interest or repetitive behaviors. They may focus on one topic, like cars or a television show, or they may be attached to a certain object or activity. A person with autism may not like changes in their schedule or changes in the way they do something.
Autism can range on a spectrum from mild to severe, depending on how much these challenges affect everyday life.

                                                                                                                    This write up made by 
                                                                                                       Mrs.Priyanjita Das Our consultant
                                                                                                                        (Audiologist)

ADHD (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)

ADHD (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)

1. What is ADHD?

>> ADHD is attention deficit hyperactive disorder.

2. What are symptoms of ADHD?

>> Restless, inattentive in the class, making careless mistakes, often forgets pens/pencils/belongings, trouble finishing homework, doesn’t follow instructions, difficulty in copying from the board, impatient, blurts out answers, leaves the seat and climbs excessively, talks too much interrupts others and always “on the go”.

3. What age it affects?

>> Its the developmental condition mostly seen in school-going children but can be seen in pre-schoolers (3 to 5 years), Adolescents and sometimes seen in Adults.

4. Why it occurs?

>> Genetic, Birth Complications – Low Birth Weight and Preterm Babies, Environmental factors,

5. Whether ADHD improves with time?

>> In most children hyperactivity comes down with age, inattention and disorganization persist in some.

6.  What is the treatment?

>> Generally ADHD responds well to medication. In preschool children, behavioural therapy can be tried before medications.

7. What are medications used for ADHD?

>> There are well-tested medications like methyl Phenindate, Atomoxetine and Clonidine.

8. What are the behavioural therapy techniques helpful?

>> Praise the child for good behaviour – Immediate, Consistent, Contingent and clear. Consistent consequences for negative behaviour – Time Out, response cost, avoid punishment, Include more physical activities/ Sports, Regular touch with the school for behaviour reports, Give frequent breaks/ Make tasks are more interesting.

-------- Dr. Praveen Kumar

Consultant & Adolescent Psychiatrist

AUTISM (LAST PART)

                                                                       AUTISM

8. Whether medicines have a lot of side effects?

>> There are 2 medicines which are recommended for this and are tested safe by research Risperidone and Aripiprazole.

9. How early we should start treatment?

>>  As early as possible, the brain has maximum plasticity up from 0 to 4 years, therefore very important to start therapy.

10. How long we have to do therapy?

>> We have to continue intensive therapy at least for 6 months to 1 year to see significant changes.

11. Whether they become aggressive during the adolescent stage?

>>  Yes, some children become aggressive when they reach Adolescence which may be due to various reasons like hormonal changes, new-onset psychiatric problems like depression, psychosis, OCD etc.

12. Whether we need to restrict certain food like milk, chocolate, sugar and gluten diet?

>> The the latest research shows there is little evidence for such association and in-fact all foods are necessary for brain development.

13. Whether stem cell therapy is effective?

>> The research is not conclusive on this intervention so there are no recommendations from any of the academic excellent centres all over the world.

14. Whether biomedical treatment is effective?

>> There is no conclusive evidence about this treatment and therefore there is no recommendation by premier academic institutions.

15. Whether hyperactivity is because of ADHD or AUTISM?

>> Hyperactivity can itself be seen in Autism or sometimes Autism and ADHD can coexist. 

-------- Dr Praveen Kumar

Consultant & Adolescent Psychiatrist

AUTISM

AUTISM

Some basic questions that occur our mind after listening to the word "Autism" and also who have Autistic children, Our Doctors are giving answers to your question. Like :

1. What is Autism?

>> Autism is a brain-based disorder where a child has a delay in speech, socialization and has some repetitive behaviours.

2. What are the symptoms of autism?

>> Child doesn’t make eye contact, the child remains in own world, doesn’t respond to name call, doesn’t point, doesn’t mix with other kids and restlessness, at times sensory behaviours and aggressive behaviours and self-injurious behaviours are seen.

3. Why Autism Occurs?

>> There is no exact cause. Genetic, Birth Complications, Environmental factors.

4. Whether Autism improves or it remains the same?

>> 90% of Children with autism improve over time but two factors decide how significantly they improve
IQ and language ability before 5 years.

5. What is the treatment of Autism?

>> Treatment is therapy. What therapy is scientific and is helpful worldwide is Speech & Language therapy, Occupational Therapy, Behavioural therapy.

6. Whether medications required?

>> Yes in some cases like where there are significant hyperactivity, impulsivity and aggressive behaviours

7. Whether medications have to be continued for a long time?

>> No they may require medicine for 1year to 2 years and then medication can be stopped.

To be continued...

For more information stay tuned with our blog.

-------- Dr. Praveen Kumar

Consultant & Adolescent Psychiatrist

1

Challenge Not Accepted

In the rainy season, momos are delicious. But in this season momos have been something different. It’s all about CHALLENGE. The people of Bengal is being challenged by Momo. Adults, teenagers and even children are receiving challenges from unknown numbers asking them to play a deadly game. But who is Momo? Well, nobody knows it for certain. Why do they message? What is the target population? If we go down the timeline, we will find a similar type of challenge in 2017 as well, the “BLUE WHALE CHALLENGE”.

Why has the world become so “Virtually” challenging? Who is being targeted for these challenges? Why are they challenged? The answers are quite complex.

Human nowadays don’t socialize “really” but do it “virtually”. We connect through Facebook but rarely speak to others. Virtual media asks us “what is in our mind?” But we rarely ask a friend how they have been. People share their feelings on virtual media. They cry for help. But alas the help is also virtual. Sometimes, this information about people and their feelings becomes the database of these challenges.

People who are already distressed and vulnerable are usually challenged. Adolescents are frequently targeted too. The challenges promote “sell harm”. People promoting these challenges motivate their targets to harm themselves. The victims are unable to bring themselves out of this vicious circle. What keeps them in this game? It’s the reward that they get. Reward dependence is characterized as a tendency to respond markedly to signals of social support, and sentiment. High reward dependence is much related to high addictive properties. So, the “awards” or social approvals one gets from the virtual world causes addiction to social media. And from social media, addiction is carried on to such games, where individuals are unable to quit the game and cohere to it and follow the instructions.

How to “Challenge” the challenges. Well, it’s always fine not to accept a challenge. But even if one does accept challenges coming out become even more difficult. Not just because of the addictive properties. But sometimes people are blackmailed for dire consequences. People give in easily.

What is the solution to such problems? There isn’t a single golden rule for it. But let’s try some tricks for it. Let’s socialize but not just “Virtually”. Let’s smile but not through smileys only. Let’s eat momo but not challenge it.

-----By Bidisha Bhattacharya (Clinical Psychologist)  

WHAT PARENTS SHOULD BETTER DO (Part III)

WHAT PARENTS SHOULD BETTER DO

Continuation of 2nd Part...

7. In order to deal with the child with the disability, parents would better acquaint themselves with the nature of problems and the measures adoptable by other parents that would enormously benefit. For this, keeping regular touch with other parents would no doubt be helpful. Exchanges and interactions between the parents enhance self-confidence and assure appropriate dealing with the child with the disability.

8. In modern day world, people are busy in satisfying themselves. Whether in opulence or penury everybody loves oneself most and the grievance is the outcome when one is made to take care of others. But parents with children with disabilities are to devote larger share or their time towards the children. If no time is given or care of the special child is left under the responsibility of a hired person or others a hostile situation would be faced. In that event, life would be less sweet and the world aggressive. Devoting greater time to the special child does not imply overprotection, nor rejection. It means to find ways how to bring the special child to mainstream life as close as possible. No person other than parents will be able to devote time and care to children with disabilities.

9. Issues involving the welfare of persons with disabilities can best be upheld by the parents who have the most intimate knowledge about the problems. As pointed out earlier interaction and exchanges between the parents strengthen them in dealing with the problems. But parents are really empowered if they form groups. All know one stick is weaker than a bundle. Similarly, parents groups or association are strong and essential. It on the one side would reiterate that a parent is not alone, and general satisfaction about the strength of the group is always a better choice as it is stronger than an individual.

10. Alert parents must be satisfied about what the therapists, if any, are doing and for what. Spending money, devoting time all are expensive in terms of money. The resource cannot be wasted. If any treatment or therapy is not effective frustration would creep in and parents may be demoralized. This also advocates involvement.

To be Continued......

                                                                                                      Taken from

                                                                                                        "Sfuran"

                                                 Commissioner Disabilities, Govt. of West Bengal

What Parents Should Better Do (Part II)

What Parents Should Better Do

Continuation of 1st Part...

4. Parents should also see that siblings  of the special child, grand parents and near relatives living with them acquire knowledge of disability. It would than be a bogie of like behaviours meted but effectively for betterment of the special child. Parents group can persuade trainers or specialists to have some sitting with the siblings, grandparents and near relatives of the family.

5. Parents often are found to be ignorant about the facilities and assistance given by the State. With the introduction of various Acts the Government have intensified pattern and volume of assistance to the person with disabilities. The details of facilities and opportunities can be available in the Office of the Commissioner for persons with disabilities or Director of Social Welfare, Department of Mass Education Extension at Kolkata and offices of the District Magistrates (Social Welfare Section) in the districts. Various non-government organizations working in the disability sector can also help the parents in this regard.

6.There are these laws in the country – i) Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights & Full Participation) Act 1995, ii) National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act 1999, iii) Mental Health Act 1987, & iv) Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992. All these laws have various provisions of assistance covering all aspects of living. Important subjects relate to early identification, certification with percentage of disability, education, employment, barrier-free environment creation, social security, non-discrimination, affirmative actions all for benefit of the persons with disabilities parents if knowledgeable about the provisions of the Acts can choose the right and shortest track to get the desired facility.

                                                                                                To be Continued......

                                                                                                      Taken from

                                                                                                        "Sfuran"

                                                 Commissioner Disabilities, Govt. of West Bengal