Early diagnosis, parental involvement key to treat kids with autism: Experts

Visakhapatnam: Early diagnosis, timely intervention, and parental involvement play key role in improving the quality of life for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), said medical experts. They explained that ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Pediatrics in 2021, the estimated prevalence of autism in India is around one in 68 children, and boys are more commonly affected by this than girls.A session was recently organised to raise awareness among people on the early detection and management of ASD in Visakhapatnam. Dr Ashwini Mohan, paediatric neurologist at Rainbow Children's Hospital, said that early intervention (starting from the age of two) significantly improves outcomes for children with ASD. "Many parents fail to recognise the early signs due to lack of awareness, thereby, delaying crucial treatment. The first five years of life are considered the golden period for intervention, making early diagnosis and therapy essential," said Dr Mohan.Dr Prasanna Kumar, consultant psychiatrist at Rainbow Children's Hospital, explained that one of the most common misconceptions about ASD is associating it only with speech delay. "Many parents assume their child will eventually start speaking, which leads to missing early red flags. While speech delay involves only delayed speech development, with other communication skills intact, autism spectrum disorder, on the other hand, involves deficits in multiple areas, including speech, gestures, eye contact, and social interaction. It is often accompanied by rigid or repetitive behaviours. Some children may also experience sleep disturbances and hyperactivity," said Dr Kumar.The session also discussed insights on screen time and therapeutic interventions. Dr Ashwini Mohan said that excessive screen time has been linked to worsening ASD symptoms."Parent-mediated interventions and therapies play a vital role in managing ASD. Recommended interventions include zero screen time, speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, and medication in cases of associated hyperactivity," added Dr Mohan.The other panel members included Dr. Deepa Mohan, psychologist, Dr. Sri Lakshmi G, speech therapist, and Ms. Dibya Jyothi, occupational therapist.