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

What Parents Should Better Do (Part I)

What Parents Should Better Do

Everybody would perhaps agree to the proposition that sooner we identify or detect a mistake and fire greater the chances of success and prevention of destruction. Similarly, disability, if detected early the impact, is minimal. Despair and gloom have no cutting edge Nor anybody is ready to pay attention to lamentation for the irony of fate usually made scapegoat by parents when a child either born with a disability or become disable by any reason. The most piercing is the pain when parents are faced with problems of children with mental disabilities, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. There is no doubt that parent’s responsibilities are greatest in shaping the future of offsprings.

Some steps are suggested :

1.    When a child with the disability is born the parents, as well as other members of the family, are upset. They wear look of gloom. But there is no reason for being upset because anxiety and bewilderment would not relieve them. What is required is to accept the fact and deal with the problem. Parents should not be over-protective. Neither they should be reluctant.

2.    It has been seen that a considerable time, say 4 to 5 years are passed before the disability is detected and confirmed. It is not uncommon that people are ignorant of disabilities with their types and the actual needs. So it is advisable for all parents to in touch with networking system concerned with the disability sector. Thereby they would have the idea about the type of disability, its symptoms, impact and measures to be adopted.

Once knowledge about the type of disability is acquired the next thing parents should do is consulting specialists. The concerned specialist would of course after examination would give guidance in the matter of training, education, aids and appliances, therapy whatever is required. In this matter, it is better to go to the specialists who are attached to special schools or organization. It is further advisable to consult specialists who are professionals recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India. Even, whether doctors are to be consulted would be advised by such specialists. If RCI registered specialists are found to misguide by any chance parents can complain with the RCI Govt. Of India.

To be Continued......

                                                                                                        "Sfuran"

                                                   Commissioner Disabilities, Govt. Of West Bengal

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviours (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active. It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviours. The symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends.

A child with ADHD might: daydream a lot, forget or lose things a lot, squirm or fidget, talk too much, make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks, have a hard time resisting temptation, have trouble taking turns, have difficulty getting along with others. The cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. Deciding if a child has ADHD is a process with several steps. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other problems, like anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms.

In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behaviour therapy and medication. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD, behaviour therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment. What works best can depend on the child and family. Good treatment plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups, and making changes, if needed, along the way.

If you or your doctor has concerns about ADHD, you can take your child to a specialist such as a child psychologist or developmental paediatrician, or you can contact your local early intervention agency (for children under 3) or public school (for children 3 and older).

Hearing Impairment And Impact of Hearing impairment

Hearing Impairment

Any deviation from the limits of normal hearing is defined as hearing impairment. Hearing sensitivity of each ear is measured separately and the degree of hearing impairment/ hearing loss is generally classified in five categories and additional category-slight hearing loss is added between the normal hearing and mild hearing loss especially when assessing the hearing sensitivity of the young children. Table 1 shows the classification of severity of hearing impairment.

              

                 Classification                                                                        PTA range in dBHL

Normal Hearing                                                                   -10 to 15

Slight Hearing Loss                                                               16 to 25

Mild Hearing Loss                                                                26 to 45

Moderate Hearing Loss                                                      46 to 55

Moderately – Severe Hearing Loss                                   56 to 70

Severe Hearing Loss                                                            71 to 90

Profound Hearing Loss                                                       91 and more

     

Table 1. Classification of hearing impairment severity

Impact of hearing impairment

                   

Consequences of hearing impairment will depend on the ears involved, degree of hearing loss, type of hearing loss and age at onset of hearing impairment. Usually, it is assumed that if hearing impairment is only in one ear, person may not have any serious problems in terms of listening. However, research has indicated difficulty to localize, reduced speech discrimination and lower speech and language development leading to significant effect on educational, linguistic and auditory perceptual development of children.

Degree of hearing impairment is of major factor leading to the negative impact on the social, educational and economical development of the individual. Mild hearing impairment may not place persons in disadvantageous position to hear and communicate but the higher degree of hearing impairment can put the person daily living in a very difficult position as he/she will need some assistance. Generally, people speak while involved in conversation at 65dBSPL. If a person has hearing impairment of 60dBHL or more he/she will find problems in verbal communication. This level of hearing impairment has been equated as 40% hearing impairment as in persons with disability(Full participation, equal opportunity and protection of rights) act 1995. Thus the definition of hearing disabled as stipulated in the PWD Act 1995 is a person who has minimum of 60dBHL of hearing impairment in the better ear in speech conversation frequencies.

…… Reference is taken from "Sfuran"

Govt. of West Bengal