Expert shares ways to detect autism early

Healthcare workers can enable early detection of autism by identifying red flags specific to autism during routine immunisation said a paediatric neurologist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences New DelhiTaking to social media platform X Dr Sheffali Gulati Professor and facultyincharge at the Child Neurology Division Department of Pediatrics at AIIMS Delhi explained what autism is and how it can be identified earlyldquoAutism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by social deficits and qualitative impairment in communication along with some fixed interests and behaviourrdquo Gulati saidShe noted that the condition comes with ldquosome fixed patterns of interest and there may be sensory issues within themrdquoShe explained how to identify autism in a baby within 2 yearsldquoIf a 6monthold baby is not responding to hisher name or has not started babbling till one year if heshe is not speaking words at 16 months is not speaking two words at 24 months or has forgotten some vocabulary then autism may be suspected in himherrdquo Gulati saidldquoIt is important for us to look at all the development milestones along with the red flags specific to autism whenever children come for immunisationrdquo Gulati said emphasising the importance of early intervention in disorderShe further noted that behavioural therapy comprised the major part of early intervention along with some medications ldquowhich can help their development to become better in futurerdquoShe also called on people to accept the diversity brought about by the children with autism and to begin acceptance right homeldquoWe have to keep in mind that these children with autism are different from the rest Everyone has different diversity which has to be accepted And when we talk about inclusion in society it should begin from home then in school and societyrdquoThe children with autism ldquohave the same right to a dignified life as anyone elserdquo said Gulati while urging people ldquoto move forward with a humanistic approachrdquoA recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal showed that autism is a significant health burden in IndiaThe study based on the Global Burden of Diseases Injuries and Risk Factors Study GBD 2021 showed that India had 708middot1 case of ASD per 100 000 persons in 2021 Of these 483middot7 were females while 921middot4 were males About 140 per 100000 persons suffered poor health and disability due to ASD in India in 2021Globally an estimated 618 million people or one in every 127 persons were autistic in 2021Also ReadMentally stimulating activities during down time linked to better brain health StudyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever