Poor awareness bane of autism: expert

It took quite a long time for P. Madhusudhana Rao, engineer, to come to terms with his daughter’s delayed speech and inability to make an eye contact due to autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

Recalling a similar experience, Sri Lakshmi, mother of autistic child, narrates how she failed to detect her son’s complex neurological disorder which began with frequent seizures.

For many parents, identifying the initial signs of autism turns out to be a major setback because of lack of awareness on ASD. As per the World Health Organisation statistics, the estimated prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is one in 160 children.

Awareness month

With April being observed as Autism Awareness Month, experts lay stress on early intervention that plays a key role in adopting strategies to bring in behavioural modification among those affected by varying degrees of autism spectrum disorder.

Early interventionist cum special educator of District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC), King George Hospital P. Naidu says if customised therapies can be provided to autistic children below five years of age, chances of controlling their erratic behaviour becomes less complicated in later years.

“Absence of eye contact, sensory problem, lack of concentration and social skills, repetition of sentences or words and erratic behaviour are some of the symptoms that parents need to keep a watch,” cautions Mr. Naidu.

Along with physiotherapy and dental care, therapies such as occupational, speech, behaviour and hearing assessment are provided at DEIC. “From 10 autistic persons in 2016 to 32 in 2017, the enrolment number for free therapies is gradually increasing at the centre with each passing year,” Mr. Naidu told The Hindu.

Indicating that therapies can only help deal with autistic children and manage them better, founder-president of Aarambh Association for Autism J. Sarada Ram says structured teaching, occupational therapy, verbal behaviour therapies and vocational training go a long way in engaging autistic persons in a constructive way and thus providing solace to their parents.

“However, lack of awareness on the disorder is one of the main reasons why many fail to spot early signs of autism. Intensive awareness drive on ASD is essential. This apart, need-based training should also be given to parents who undergo tremendous stress while handling autistic children at home,” adds Ms. Sarada Ram.