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In a world of their own
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An autistic child seeks comfort in order and familiar surroundings and cares little for emotions. But, identifying the strength of such a child is the key, writes ANIMA BALAKRISHNAN
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PHOTO: BIJOY GHOSH
REACHING OUT Is the key.
For most, Dustin Hoffman's Raymond, the elusive "Rain Man", has been our first peek into the world of the autistic.
Raymond, with his savant skills — be it the ease in which he counts the number of matchsticks in a box or calculates the probability of an air crash — or his discomfort with emotion, provided one of the more lasting impressions of the disorder in popular culture.
But the final word is not yet out on autism, which according to a WHO report, is prevalent in one out of every 10, 000 people and is found four times more in boys than girls.
Difficult to define
A definition to the disorder becomes dicey as its cause is still shrouded. "Autism is a pervasive development disorder that affects all areas of a child's development," says D. Srinivasan, consultant psychiatrist, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital. According to V. Ponni Muralidharan, consultant psychiatrist, KG Hospital, it is difficult to define autism. "It is a delay in a child's ability to socialise," she says.
Increased awareness
The characteristics of autism, the doctors say, are generally obvious by the age of three.
From about 25-30 years ago, when diagnosis was difficult, there has been a surge in the level of awareness about the disorder. For instance, that an autistic child need not necessarily be mentally retarded. "But, among autistic children, only less than five per cent would have near normal intelligence," explains Dr. Srinivasan, adding, "Some may have an attention deficit problem."
Autism being a spectrum disorder, the degree to which the condition is present varies. These children, says Dr. Ponni, have problems expressing themselves. "They are in a fantasy world and are sensitive to order and cannot cope when their routine is interrupted," she adds.
For parents, the warning bells should begin to ring when find their toddler's behaviour strange. The signs of autism will be visible as early as the eighth month, say doctors.
Warning signs
While most kids would begin babbling by this time, the repertoire of baby talk among these children would be very limited. Another indicator is the lack of eye contact. "When you call out their name, they fail to respond," explains Dr. Ponni. "When the kid fails to respond to sound, the parents usually take it to be a hearing problem," says Dr. Srinivasan.
Mostly, these symptoms manifest themselves by the age of three; rarely do they go unnoticed.
"These children either may have no speech at all or have limited speech," says Dr. Srinivasan. "Their ability to initiate or sustain a conversation will be less; often, it is mistaken for shyness," he explains.
Love for the inanimate
A classic autism symptom is the lack of attachment to human beings and an excessive affinity to inanimate objects. "They are usually attracted to things that spin or go round and have the urge to repeatedly make the same sound or movement," the psychiatrists say.
Once the child is diagnosed as autistic, in the absence of a definite treatment or drug, a multi-pronged approach needs to be adopted.
"First of all, parents need to accept the condition," says S. S. Jayalakshmi, correspondent, Vidya Vikasini Institutions (0422-2642396), where 14 autistic children are given training at the opportunity school.
"The stress is on an individual education programme and the emphasis on a persistent and structured training mechanism," she says.
The programme for an autistic child would involve the presence of an occupational therapist, yoga instructors as well as special instructors.
At the opportunity school, the vocational training given to them includes notebook rolling and soap making.
Jayalakshmi believes that integrated schooling, where children with autism mingle with normal children and those with other disabilities, will go a long way in helping the affected kids.
So, there are common games and yoga classes. Common classes help normal children be more sensitive towards autistic as well as other disabled children, she believes.
Identify strengths
The focus at these centres is finding the strength of the autistic child. "About 10 per cent of autistic children may have one savant skill or the other," says Geeta Raja, founder of Shivesh's Autism Centre (Ph: 98949-60485, 98432-21084).
Some autistic children, experts vouch, are extremely skilled. If some are good with numbers and the computer, some are artistic or would have musical talent.
"Some autistic children have extraordinary memory," says Geeta, who believes that while individual attention is essential, it is better to be in a school-based atmosphere where a child gets to interact with other children.
Dr Srinivasan says that though an autistic child can never be completely cured, marked improvement can take place if they are subjected to a structured routine.
Success stories
"Early intervention is the key," says Jayalakshmi, listing out success stories like that of Krishna Pradeep, who after training in behaviour modification, successfully appeared for the National Institute of Open schooling for Class X. Or Guruprasadh, for whom, music therapy helped.
But, all this is a labour-intensive exercise for parents, says Dr. Srinivasan. Concludes Geeta: "Patience and tolerance are important. Don't see the autistic child as an embarrassment; work towards its improvement."
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