New Delhi, December 23 (IANS). A pediatric neurologist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, said health workers can identify symptoms of autism during routine vaccination.
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“Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits and speech difficulties, as well as certain problems and behaviors,” Gulati said.
He said the condition “comes with certain patterns of interest, and they may have sensory issues”.
He explained how autism can be identified in a child within 2 years.
“If a 6-month-old baby is not responding to his name or hasn't started babbling by a year. If he's not saying words by 16 months. Not two words by 24 months,” Gulati said. Speaking, or has forgotten some vocabulary, then autism may be suspected.
“Whenever children come for vaccination, it is important for us to look at all developmental milestones, as well as symptoms related to autism,” Gulati said.
He stressed the importance of early treatment of this disease.
He further added that a major part of early intervention in behavioral therapy involves some medications that can help improve their development in the future.
He called on people to accept the diversity brought by children with autism and start accepting it at home.
He said that we have to keep in mind that these children suffering from autism are different from other children. Everyone has individual variations that have to be accepted. And when we talk about inclusion in society, it should start from home, then school and society.
Gulati said that children suffering from autism have the right to live a dignified life like anyone else and urged people to move forward with a humanitarian approach.
A recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal revealed that autism is a significant health burden in India.
The study, based on the Global Burden of Disease, Injury and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, showed that there were 708·1 cases of ASD per 100,000 persons in India in 2021. Of these, 483·7 were females, while 921·4 were males. In India, approximately 140 per 100,000 persons suffered from poor health and disability due to ASD in 2021.
Globally, it was estimated that 61.8 million people, or one in every 127 individuals, were autistic in 2021.
–IANS
MKS/AS
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