Developmental Challenges

Here is a round up of the PatientsEngage top 10 most popular stories of 2015 1. My Special Child Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication. Mousumi Dutta shares her stirring narrative about bringing up her daughter, Aria who is on the Autism Spectrum with remarkable fortitude, dignity and unwavering optimism.  http://www.patientsengage.com/personal-voices/autism/my-special-…

There is no way to prevent autism spectrum disorder, but ASD can be treated, and children can improve their language and social skills. Children with ASD typically continue to learn and find solutions for problems, but most will continue to require some ongoing support. If your child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, intervene early and work out treatment options. Although the cause of autism is not known, many researchers believe genetics is responsible for 90% of the risk of a child…

Early intervention – what does it achieve? The earlier you start the better, so intervention can start with a toddler or preschooler.  Intensive behavioural therapy during the toddler or preschool years can significantly improve cognitive and language skills in young children with ASD.These should be started as soon as a child has been diagnosed with ASD. Providing focused and challenging learning activities at the proper developmental level for the child for at least 25 hours per week and…

While there’s no proven cure for autism yet, treating ASD early using school-based programmes, and getting proper medical care can greatly reduce ASD symptoms and increase your child’s ability to grow and learn new skills. Many children with autism can develop significantly with early, well-planned and individually tailored educational efforts in specially adapted settings.  A diagnosis of ASD is nerve-wracking for parents as they struggle to understand the challenge they are facing and…

Diagnosing autism  At present, there is no definitive medical test to identify individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Professionals diagnose autism spectrum disorders through the presence or absence of certain behaviours, characteristic symptoms and developmental delays. ASD is diagnosed through an assessment which includes observing and meeting with the individual, their family and other people who interact with the child. Information is gathered regarding the individual’s strengths…

The main types of Autism are 1. Autistic Disorder: These have problems in socialisation, communication, and restricted patterns of behaviours and interests.  2. Asperger’s Disorder: These have problems in two areas: socialisation and restricted patterns of interests.   3, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): Children have problems in socialisation and one of the two other areas: communication or restricted patterns of behaviors and interests.…

The degree to which different characteristics affect a child depends on the level of severity of impairments: Children with autism have problems in three core areas: socialisation, communication, and restricted patterns of behaviours and interests. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome have problems in two areas: socialisation and restricted patterns of interests. They do not have clinically significant delays in early language development or significant delays in cognitive development. …

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a behaviourally defined condition and the cause of autism or the combination of causes of autism spectrum disorders is not fully known. Autism is likely to have multiple aetiologies (causation) including genetic factors.   Early life events, for example complications during pregnancy, and environmental factors are believed to interact with genetic susceptibility causing brain dysfunctions that affect the developing brain’s ability to handle information. …

Says Hans Dalal, who has not let cerebal palsy get in the way of his independence and dreams. The tiger conservationist and founder of PROWL (Preservation of Wild Landscapes) talks about social attitudes, self-reliance and what it takes to bring up confident kids with disability. In conversation with Dr Shital Raval. You have said that human ignorance is the toughest to beat. Society is unaware of cerebral palsy and hence more than often mistake it for mental retardation and consider me dumb or…

Every child, however abled, has the right to play, says Kavitha Krishnamoorthy. But India’s playgrounds are often not friendly for kids with disabilities. What about your local playground? You can change that with a little effort. A play space in a public park. Full of young children swinging high, sliding, twirling on the merry-go-round, running, skipping, jumping, climbing. Resounding with joyous laughter, excitement, fear. Some fights, pushing and pulling….. What’s missing in this picture-…