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- Parenting a Neurodiverse Child: Effective Coping Strategies to Navigate the Journey
Parenting a neurodiverse child brings unique joys and challenges. The journey can be filled with ups and downs, but with the right coping strategies, you can navigate through the challenges and create a nurturing environment for your child. In this video, we will explore effective coping strategies that can empower you as a parent and support your neurodiverse child's development. Seek Support: One of the most important coping strategies is seeking support. Connect with other parents who have similar experiences, join support groups, and participate in online communities. Sharing your concerns, challenges, and triumphs with people who understand can provide emotional validation and valuable insights. Geniuslane has built for you a community of parents, where you can meet and seek support. To join you can sign up here- https://geniuslane.org/ Educate Yourself: Knowledge is power when it comes to parenting a neurodiverse child. Take the time to educate yourself about your child's specific condition, learning styles, and strengths. Understand their unique needs, challenges, and potential interventions. Knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and advocate for your child effectively. Learn about diagnosis, and related strengths and difficulties by downloading our Geniuslane Parent's support app from the google play store, and Apple App Store. Practice Self-Care: Caring for a neurodiverse child requires immense energy and patience. It is crucial to prioritize self-care to maintain your well-being. Take breaks when needed, engage in activities that recharge you, and seek support from family and friends. Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish but essential for your ability to support your child effectively. To help you manage the associated stress, join our Mind and Soul Integration Program available for free on our Parent's support app. Download our Geniuslane Parent's support app from the google play store, and Apple App Store. Build a Support Network: Create a network of Doctors, psychologists, and professionals who can assist your child's development. They can provide guidance, create tailored intervention plans, and offer support as you navigate your child's developmental journey. Embrace Flexibility and Patience: Parenting a neurodiverse child often requires flexibility and patience. Embrace the uniqueness of your child and be open to adjusting your expectations. Celebrate small victories and progress, no matter how incremental. Remember, each child's journey is different, and progress may come at its own pace. Patience and understanding will be key in supporting your child's growth. Advocate for Your Child: As a parent, you are your child's strongest advocate. Be their voice and advocate for their needs at home, school, and within the community. Communicate with teachers, school administrators, and healthcare professionals to ensure your child receives the necessary accommodations and support. Together, you can create an inclusive environment where your child can thrive. Parenting a neurodiverse child can present challenges, but with effective coping strategies, you can navigate the journey with resilience and strength. Seek support, educate yourself, practice self-care, build a support network, embrace flexibility, and advocate for your child's needs. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. By implementing these coping strategies, you can create a nurturing and supportive environment where your neurodiverse child can thrive and reach their full potential.
- Unlocking Early Childhood Development for Neurodiverse Children at Geniuslane
Nurturing Every Child's Potential At Geniuslane, we believe in nurturing every child's potential, especially when it comes to neurodiverse children. Early childhood development plays a crucial role in unlocking their capabilities and setting them up for success. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of early intervention and how Geniuslane is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for neurodiverse children. Early childhood is a critical period for a child's overall growth and development. For neurodiverse children, timely identification and intervention can make a significant difference in their lives. Early diagnosis allows for targeted therapies, specialized guidance, and tailored educational support. By addressing their unique needs at an early stage, we can empower these children to reach their full potential and overcome challenges. Recognizing early signs of neurodiverse conditions is essential for early intervention. It enables parents, caregivers, and educators to take proactive steps in seeking professional guidance and support. Geniuslane understands the importance of early detection and offers comprehensive evaluations conducted by experienced paediatric neurology specialists. Our team can identify subtle signs and provide valuable insights to help parents navigate the journey of understanding their child's needs. The Geniuslane Approach: At Geniuslane, we adopt a holistic approach to early childhood development for neurodiverse children. We provide a range of services tailored to address their unique challenges, including autism, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, global delay, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and more. Our team of experts offers individualized assessment as per the diagnosis of the child to identify needs, difficulties and strengths. Based on the report generated, a smart algorithm maps and delivers directly to the parent support app what is to be done and how it is to be done at home. All interventions are evidence-based and are delivering successful results along with ensuring that each child receives the care they need. Empowering Parents and Caregivers: We believe that parents and caregivers play a pivotal role in their child's development journey. Geniuslane strives to empower parents by providing them with comprehensive resources and expert guidance. Through our website, www.geniuslane.org, parents can access a wealth of valuable information, helpful articles, and educational materials to better understand their child's condition and explore strategies for support. Building a Supportive Community: At Geniuslane, we recognize the importance of building a supportive community around neurodiverse children, and their families. Throughout the last decade, we have developed a supportive group of parents of neurodiverse children where we encourage parents, caregivers, and educators to connect with each other through weekly parent meetings. Early childhood development is a transformative period for neurodiverse children, and at Geniuslane, we are committed to unlocking their potential. Through early identification, specialized interventions, and comprehensive support, we aim to provide the necessary tools for these children to thrive. Join us on this journey of nurturing every child's potential and celebrating their unique strengths. Together, we can make a difference in their lives.
- Geniuslane: how this platform is empowering autism parents in improving their children's outcome.
Welcome to Geniuslane, a platform dedicated to the idea of Building Better Brains. Our mission is to equip parents, educators, and healthcare professionals with the latest evidence-based information, tools, and technology to support children's learning and development. We recognize that a child's brain undergoes significant development from birth to six years old, and numerous factors such as genetics, nutrition, injury, experiences, and environment can influence this growth. Therefore, we are committed to providing families and professionals with the necessary support and guidance to help children achieve their full potential. At Geniuslane, we offer a range of innovative solutions designed to support children's learning and development. Our user-friendly apps and CPD-approved training for teachers and SEN professionals provide easy access to our expert knowledge. Our Geniuslane software is a ground breaking solution for children with brain injury, intellectual disability, specific learning difficulties, and autism. Our algorithm grows with the child, building a foundation of learning skills, and reducing long-term difficulties associated with such diagnoses. We believe our software is a unique and effective solution for families and professionals looking to support children's learning and development. We also provide a range of services to support parents, educators, and healthcare professionals. Our team of experts offers advice and guidance on a range of topics related to child development and learning. We understand that parental education and school training are vital to better outcomes for children, and we are committed to providing the latest evidence-based information in a simplified and relevant way. We believe that education and healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of their location or socio-economic status. Hence, we have made our apps and software affordable and accessible, allowing families and professionals worldwide to benefit from our expertise. At Geniuslane, we are passionate about Building Better Brains. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and with the right support and guidance, they can reach their full potential. Our commitment to providing evidence-based information, tools, and technology to support children's learning and development sets us apart as a leading provider in this field. It is essential to ensure that your child is receiving the support they need to succeed. If you have concerns about your child's development, behavior, or academic progress, it may be time to book an appointment with a psychologist for a comprehensive assessment. Psychological assessments can help identify your child's strengths and weaknesses, determine any underlying issues or difficulties, and provide recommendations for interventions and support. By seeking an assessment for your child, you can ensure that they receive the appropriate support and resources they need to reach their full potential. Don't delay in seeking help for your child's needs and difficulties. Early intervention is key to preventing long-term challenges and ensuring that your child receives the best possible outcome. Book an appointment with a psychologist today to support your child's development, growth, and success. Together, we can help your child thrive! If you want to empower yourself with the tools and support necessary to help your child reach their full potential, or want to know more about how Geniuslane's digital platform is empowering autism parents in improving their children's outcome, contact our team. Professional Resources
- Your child is a gift, an opportunity and a challenge
Understanding strength and weaknesses of your child and working around it For Parents "My love for you is taller than the sky and wider than the galaxy" It is impossible to measure the amount of love we have for our children. There is no bigger pain to see our children suffer from a problem. But if they have an invisible problem that makes them behave differently, develop at a different pace or have an underlying Neurodisability, it can be very painful. It is not just the day-to-day problems we might face, but also acceptance in society, the future of the child can affect us as parents. It is not unusual to be angry, blame yourself or others or be in complete denial about the situation. In my experience, I have seen a lot of parents embarking on a journey to 'normalise' their children. Often it would mean bargaining 'if only I could improve his attention span' or 'If only she could walk' or 'If only he could talk'. So, what is the problem here and why it is important to be addressed? It is very important to understand that a baby has three main factors responsible for their brain building. I use 'brain building' as terminology here as there is substantial evidence that the human brain develops layer by layer based on the genetic code and supplemented by adequate nutrition. Lessons from children who are subjected to abuse show that children can develop 'Attachment disorder'. This shows the significance of the environment experienced by the child. In children with an underlying Neurodisability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is difficult to understand how the child feels or why the child is not talking or their behaviours. The biggest problem for the child is that they are not able to explain their real problem. Let me explain this. For example, a child with Autism has a speech delay. The parents decided that goal is for my child to start talking. But have they taken into account the communication stage of the child? Are they communicating with the child to their developmentally appropriate level? But if they are not doing so, feel frustrated or do not have a step ladder plan the behaviour of the child deteriorates. What is Child's Behaviour and why it is not important to treat? Children behaviour could be their communication. It is a combination of how they feel, how much they can communicate and the environment around them. Usually, most intervention in Neurodisability focusses on improving the development of the child and treating the behaviour separately. But are we treating the child's problem or the parent's problem? Why is this child not talking? If the hearing is normal and if the mouth/tongue has no problem why the child does not talk? It is important that we now learn the language of a child's behaviour and work in a child-led way, at the child's pace and work around their strengths and weaknesses. If you are a parent, teacher, psychologist, therapist, or Doctor this course will provide a new perspective to look at children and new strategies that you can start using straight away. Click here for courses Dr Rahul Bharat Pediatric Neurologist, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur, Teacher, Clinical Safety Officer, Early interventionist
- Why one size will not fit all?
"As every child is unique in its own way, so should be early intervention!" Say Yes! to the Individualized and Customized Early Intervention program! In the late '90s came to the evidence from the field of neuroscience that how early years of a child's life; right from conception till six years of age, and especially the first three years are prime for laying the strong foundation for physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. (1,2) Besides, these pieces of evidence, there were already theories of how targeted behavioural interventions can help children at risk, and the role of empowering parents in community-based settings became the new normal. Among these methods, the constructivist theorists' played an important role, they shifted the attention towards, an education system where instead of a child trying to adapt to the fixed curriculum and a set way of teaching, the system should accommodate and try to adapt and cater to the learning style of the child. They emphasize that each learner is an active participant in their learning journey, and construction knowledge is related to experiences. "Learning is active mental work, not passive reception of teaching”. (3) These advances in neurological and psychological sciences radically changed the way we look at education. And not just schools, it went to be applied to early years settings, and primary and even higher formal education systems. They helped in understanding that the current system was only informing and not transforming. Using these theories and evidence, spectrum developed a completely different early intervention program, where the knowledge base is transferred to the parents, (4) and the focus is on keeping the home environment, regulated. Regulated in a way that instead of focusing on what we want our child to do, we work around the needs of the child, as per his/her development level. Because, every child is unique, in terms of their behaviour, learning, and knowledge. By successfully modifying the environment around the child, based on the developmental decoding method, we have been able to help 59% of children just by empowering parents, home environment modification, along early intervention. Dr Uzaina A researcher and psychologist, who loves writing to transform, and not just inform. References For a detailed brain development process refer to Human brain development. Charles A. Nelson, University of Minnesota. Check our vlog by Dr Rahul Bharat on brain development in the early years. Woolfolk, A. E. (1993). Educational psychology. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Bharat, R., Uzaina, Niranjan, S. et al. Autism Spectrum Disorder in the COVID-19 Era: New Challenges — New Solutions. Indian Pediatr 58, 890–891 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-021-2314-3
- Story of Trish
Autism spectrum disorder, just another term from those hefty textbooks of psychology or a completely different way to look at life? Autism is known to be a ‘spectrum’ disorder as it contains in itself a plethora of symptoms with various severity levels. The symptoms may range from being excessively anxious at new places to running around carefree in one’s house . From rising anxiety on being left alone to not even looking at their kin in the same room. It’s a battle, a tough one, and fighting it are the parents of these little warriors who struggle every day to deal with the demons inside and out. The first fight is with the mindset and ideology of parents and society, understanding and accepting that ‘every child is different’ is easier said than done. Holding their hands in this challenging journey, are a bunch of enthusiasts at Geniuslane Child Development Center. Who work with determined hearts and put their heads in the right direction in order to help these genius minds attain new heights as well as building the parents from the inside. Focusing on parent’s mindsets is one of the core principles at Geniuslane. Working with the parents, supporting them, making them aware of the hurdles ahead and prepping them up for being there for their children. Families which become a part of geniuslane, have the extended support and guidance for the life ahead. One such family is of Trish Singh, this five year old is the only child at home and the world to his parents. Native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Trish was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum at the age of 3 years. Since that day the lives of Singh's have changed in unexplainable terms. At the age of 2.8 years Trish had delayed speech and kept babbling incoherent words; with constant humming also came hyperactive behavior where Trish would jump from one furniture to another all day. These were just the tip of the iceberg, which alarmed the parents to talk to Trish’s pediatrician, at the age of two, who warded off the issue saying, such behavior was nothing to be worried about as its okay for children to behave this way. Lack of knowledge and unclear direction from multiple pediatricians and child specialists lead to Trish being wrongly diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). During this course of wrong diagnosis and lack of clarity regarding the disorder, Trish was kept on regular dosage of Multivitamins and rigorous efforts to tame him down. Problems persisted as the bogus medications and activities failed to provide relief in any terms. After losing another few months of the child’s early age, parents got reference of Dr. Rahul Bharat, where Trish was diagnosed of Autism Spectrum disorder, at the age of three years, after conduction of International diagnostic tool for diagnosis of Autism (ADI-R). Parents had a hard time accepting the diagnosis as Autism came as more of a shock to the parents. Mental health issues in India are looked down upon by the society at large, owing to wrong and partial knowledge of the disorder, facing the society with pointy fingers and zero comfort comes as a challenge in front of parents. Unlike their previous experiences, the first step towards treatment of Trish was, education of the parents. Making parents aware of the disorder in and out, making clear of what can they expect from their child and what does normal mean, was an important step and acted as a cushion back for parents to support them through their emotional turmoil. While parents were getting acquainted with the disorder, Trish was enrolled in a program where the aim to his treatment was not symptomatic relief but working on core factors which contribute to long-term disability in Autism. Holding Trish by the hand with love and warmth and supporting him from all sides, the treatment aimed at helping Trish in different areas of skill sets and at making home a place where the child would connect with his parents and share that unbreakable bond. Guiding parents taking little steps from setting the daily routine of Trish to how to play with him, every little help was given to make the precious time of Trish count. The process of trying to help the child brought some major changes in Singh's as a family too, they grew as individuals, became patient in their approach to life and in the course of the treatment at Geniuslane, parents experienced stability in them. While the child improved in multiple aspects over the course of treatment from speaking clear words , able to communicate and express, Trish developed an understanding of remarkable levels. Geniuslane has played its role now, at the age of five years Trish is ready to bid goodbye and head to a new start. The world ahead is full of challenges and hurdles and Trish is still learning and working on brushing his special skills. Along With Trish, parents have also gained profound trust and understanding of their child. This is definitely not an end but a start towards an entirely different path and the added levels of satisfaction is the thing that would keep them going and growing. - by Ms. Garima Sawlani
- The Struggle is Real Part III
Continuing my conversations with parents coming in for therapy at Genius Lane Development Centre, I came across another great story of struggle and conquer. Mrs. ‘M’ is the mother of a 7-year-old R . Her daughter was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was about 30 months old. The first struggle she mentioned was acceptance. The parents could not understand how their daughter could have any problems. Having inadequate awareness about the disorder and not having a good information source, Mr ‘N’& Mrs ‘M’ blindly followed what the doctors said. Multiple doctors and therapies later, she came across Dr Rahul Bharat and that is what made the difference in her daughter’s life. Ever since the age of 30 months, Mrs ‘M’ took her across cities and towns, trying to find the best possible therapies to help her daughter develop eye contact, say some meaningful words and finally get some friends. Much to her dismay, even after 3+ years of individual therapies; occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc; her daughter was not showing much improvement on the graph. This naturally dejected the parents and started taking a toll on their mental health. In order to give her daughter full-time attention, Mrs ‘M’ who is a doctor by profession, left her practice and started living as a homemaker. However, she doesn’t regret one bit of it. ‘Leaving my practice in order to provide proper care for my daughter is not a sacrifice, it’s my duty as a mother’. Recalling her special moments with her daughter, Mrs ‘M’ mentioned, ‘I share a special bond with her and now that she has started understanding facial expressions, she gets to know that I’m upset even before I know myself!’ When asked if there is one thing she missed the most, her instant response was ‘my social gatherings’. Mrs ‘M’ mentioned that it’s very difficult to make people understand that my daughter is a special child and she’s doing what she’s doing due to a reason. Such less awareness of different disorders and the lack of sensitivity in our society is now accounted for as a big struggle for the parents. Mrs ‘M’ mentioned that had she known better, she would have enrolled her daughter in the right facilities at the right time and not waste her important initial years just blindly following what one person said. She has taken it upon herself now, to educate as many people as possible about some disorders and their treatments. Awareness is the key for early diagnosis and early diagnosis is the best for an effective intervention! - By Ms. R. Mehra
- The Struggle is Real:Part II
While going through the recruitment process I have got an opportunity to interact with a mother, who has recently got to know that her daughter has Autism spectrum disorder. Her name is ‘A’, she is 2 years 3 months old. I asked her when you felt that something is unusual in her, did she reach developmental milestones? She stated that at the age of 18 months she was able to speak, pronounce words beautifully, recites the poem, active, curious, loves to explore the environment but whenever we called her name she didn’t respond appropriately, it seemed like she is not able to interact lacks social communication skills,. I regularly visited the pediatrician. I have informed him about this problem but every time he advised me that it is normal and she does not have any problem mother felt the need to do something for her child so she took an appointment and met a speech therapist. Speech therapist advised her that A does not have any speech problem. Her vocal chord is absolutely normal and that she should visit neurologist /psychiatrist. Here she got the right direction. Then she started A’s treatment at GeniusLane Child Development Centre. She asked me why paediatricians don’t know about this developmental condition. I have wasted 6 months. I could have brought my daughter earlier for treatment. As she asked me why paediatricians don’t have enough knowledge about this neurological condition, I think it is a big loophole in mental health awareness & intervention programs in our country. We have to take a stand and it is teamwork: neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, counsellor, occupational therapist, etc. Everyone has his remarkable and unique position. Early identification leads to an early diagnosis. There are a number of studies showing early intervention has a positive impact on outcomes for children with neurological difficulties and developmental delays. We have to work together, and only then we can expect a positive outcome. written by- Ms Jyoti Kashyap
- What is Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual disability (or ID) is a term used when a person has certain limitations in cognitive functions and skills, including communication, social and self-care skills. These limitations can cause a child to develop and learn more slowly or differently than a typically developing child. An intellectual disability can occur any time before a child turns 18, even before birth.Intellectual disability is the most common developmental disability. What is an intellectual disability? Someone with an intellectual disability has limitations in two areas. These areas are: Intellectual functioning. Also known as IQ, it refers to a person's ability to learn, reason, make decisions and solve problems. Adaptive behavior. These are skills necessary for everyday life, such as communicating effectively, interacting with others, and taking care of oneself. IQ (intelligence quotient) is measured by an IQ test. The average IQ is 100, with most people scoring between 85 and 115. A person is considered mentally disabled if they have an IQ below 70 to 75. To measure a child's adaptive behavior, a professional will observe the child's skills and compare them to other children of the same age. Things that can be observed include how well the child can feed or dress themselves; how well the child can communicate with and understand others; and how the child interacts with family, friends, and other children of the same age. Mental retardation is thought to affect about 1% of the population. Of those affected, 85% have a mild mental disability. This means that they are just a little slower than average to learn new information or skills. With the right support, most will be able to live independently as adults. The most common types of mental disabilities: 1. Down syndrome: Down syndrome is a mental disability stemming from having part or an extra copy of chromosome 21 in the DNA. It is the most common chromosomal cause of mild to moderate mental retardation in children. Down syndrome affects development in children with Down syndrome who reach key developmental milestones later than other children of the same age. Common symptoms of Down syndrome include slow learning, short attention spans, impulsive behavior, poor judgment, and delayed language and speech development. 2. Fragile X syndrome: Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited developmental and intellectual disability. This genetic disorder is the result of a change or mutation in the X chromosome. The disability affects a person's development, more so in the areas of learning and behavior. What's more, it can affect the physical appearance, communication skills, and sensitivity to light and noise of an individual with an intellectual disability. 3. Fetal alcohol syndrome: Fetal alcohol syndrome is a mental disability caused by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy put their babies at risk of this condition. The severity of the condition depends on the baby's exposure to alcohol during pregnancy, with mothers who drink large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy increase the risk of severe symptoms in their babies. 4. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS): Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a problem with part of chromosome 15. Children born with the condition are poor breadwinners in childhood. Nevertheless, the feeding habit changes at the age of two, when children's hunger becomes insatiable, so they are unable to control their appetite. Insatiable hunger leads to problems like diabetes and obesity. What are some of the symptoms of Intellectual Disability? Sit up, crawl, or walk later than other children. Learn to talk later or have trouble speaking. Find it hard to remember things. Have trouble understanding social rules. Have trouble seeing the results of their actions. Have trouble solving problems. What causes Intellectual Disability? Anytime something interferes with the brain’s normal development, mental retardation can occur. However, the exact cause of mental disability can only be determined in a third of cases. The most common causes of intellectual disability are: Genetic conditions: These include things like Down Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome. Problems in pregnancy: Things that can disrupt fetal brain development include alcohol or drug use, malnutrition, certain infections, or preeclampsia. Problems during childbirth: If the baby is deprived of oxygen during birth or is born extremely prematurely, mental retardation can occur. Illness or injury: Infections such as meningitis, whooping, cough, or measles can lead to mental retardation. It can also cause serious head injuries, near-drowning, extreme malnutrition, brain infections, exposure to toxic substances such as lead, and severe neglect or abuse. None of the above: For two-thirds of all children with an intellectual disability, the cause is unknown. Treatment of Intellectual Disability? There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for mental retardation. The condition is lifelong and will require constant care. The key to proper treatment is early intervention. Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan as soon as you notice early signs of the condition is essential. Treatment comes in the form of support and cares to improve the daily functioning of the person living with the condition. There is currently no cure for mental retardation. The main goal of treatment is to improve the daily functioning of a person with this disease. Conclusion People with intellectual disabilities have different limits to their ability to learn and function in society and often learn more slowly than others.However, early and ongoing treatment in the form of support services can often help people with intellectual disabilities function normally or independently. If your child has any signs or symptoms of an intellectual disability, contact a doctor as soon as possible. Tips for Parents Learn as much as you can about autism spectrum disorder Provide consistent structure and routine Connect with other parents of children with autism In case of specific problems, seek professional help Make time for yourself and other family members Having a child with autism affects the whole family. It can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. It is important to pay attention to the physical and emotional health of the whole family. Geniuslane Child Development Centre provides information, resources, and support to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. For any query related to autism, you can call on +91-7669988833 / +91-0522-4082221 Also, you can WhatsApp on +91-9598157092 Or visit our website https://www.geniuslane.co.in/ App link: Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appsquad.dhruv IOS-https://apps.apple.com/ro/app/geniuslane-parents-staff-app/id1635409185 - Amrin Ahmed
- What are Symptoms of Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that affects how a person perceives and interacts with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also involves restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to a wide range of symptoms and severity. Autism spectrum disorder includes conditions that were previously considered separate — autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and an unspecified form of pervasive developmental disorder. Some people still use the term "Asperger's syndrome", which is generally thought to be on the mild end of the autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood and eventually causes problems with social functioning — such as socially, at school, and at work. Children often show symptoms of autism within the first year. A small number of children appear to develop normally in the first year and then go through a period of regression between 18 and 24 months of age when they develop symptoms of autism. Although there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, intensive and early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children. Symptoms of Autism Some children show signs of autism spectrum disorder in early childhood, such as limited eye contact, lack of response to their names, or indifference to caregivers. Other children may develop normally for the first few months or years of life, but then suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive, or lose the language skills they have already acquired. Symptoms usually appear by age 2. Each child with an autism spectrum disorder is likely to have a unique pattern of behavior and level of severity – from low functioning to high functioning. Some children with autism spectrum disorder have learning difficulties and some have lower than normal intelligence scores. Other children with this disorder have normal to high intelligence - they learn quickly but have trouble communicating and applying what they know in everyday life and adapting to social situations. Due to each child's unique mix of symptoms, severity can sometimes be difficult to determine. Generally, this is based on the level of impairment and how it affects the ability to function. Here are some common symptoms that people with autism spectrum disorder exhibit. Patterns of behavior A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have limited, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, including any of these symptoms: Performs repetitive movements such as rocking, spinning, or waving Performs activities that could cause self-harm, such as biting or head banging He develops specific routines or rituals and becomes disturbed at the slightest change Has problems with coordination or has unusual movement patterns such as clumsiness or tiptoeing and has strange, stiff or exaggerated body language He is fascinated by the details of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, but does not understand the object's overall purpose or function Is unusually sensitive to light, sound, or touch, yet may be indifferent to pain or temperature It does not engage in imitation or pretend play Fixates on an object or activity with abnormal intensity or focus Has specific food preferences, such as eating only a few foods or rejecting foods with a certain texture As they grow older, some children with autism spectrum disorder become more involved with others and show fewer behavioral disturbances. Some, usually those with the least severe problems, can eventually lead normal or near-normal lives. However, others continue to struggle with language or social skills, and adolescence can bring worse behavioral and emotional problems. 2. Social communication and interaction A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social interaction and communication skills, including any of these symptoms: He doesn't respond to his name or doesn't seem to hear you at times He resists cuddling and holding and seems to prefer to play alone, withdrawing into his own world He makes poor eye contact and lacks facial expression Does not speak or has delayed speech or loses previous ability to say words or sentences Can't start or keep a conversation going, or only starts a conversation to send requests or tag items Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm and may use a singing voice or robot-like speech Repeats words or phrases verbatim but does not understand how to use them They don't seem to understand simple questions or directions He does not express emotions or feelings and seems unaware of the feelings of others It does not point to objects or bring them to share an interest Approaches social interaction inappropriately by being passive, aggressive, or disruptive Has difficulty recognizing non-verbal cues, such as interpreting other people's facial expressions, body posture, or tone of voice When to see a doctor Children develop at their own pace, and many do not follow the exact timelines found in some parenting books. But children with autism spectrum disorder usually show some signs of developmental delay before age 2. If you have concerns about your child's development or suspect that your child may have an autism spectrum disorder, discuss your concerns with your doctor. Symptoms associated with the disorder may also be associated with other developmental disorders. Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder often appear early in development, when delays in language skills and social interactions are evident. Your doctor may recommend developmental tests to see if your child has delays in cognitive, language, and social skills if your child: By 6 months he does not respond with a smile or a happy expression Does not imitate sounds or facial expressions until 9 months By 12 months he does not babble or growl By 14 months, he does not make gestures - for example, point or wave He won't say a word until 16 months By 18 months, he does not play "pretend" or pretend Does not say two-word phrases within 24 months Loses language or social skills at any age Prevention There is no way to prevent autism spectrum disorder, but there are treatment options. Early diagnosis and intervention are very helpful and can improve behavior, skills, and language development. However, intervention is useful at any age. Although children usually do not outgrow the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, they can learn to function well. Tips for Parents Learn as much as you can about autism spectrum disorder Provide consistent structure and routine Connect with other parents of children with autism In case of specific problems, seek professional help Make time for yourself and other family members Having a child with autism affects the whole family. It can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. It is important to pay attention to the physical and emotional health of the whole family. Geniuslane Child Development Centre provides information, resources, and support to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. For any query related to autism, you can call on +91-7669988833 / +91-0522-4082221 Also, you can WhatsApp on +91-9598157092 Or visit our website https://www.geniuslane.co.in/ App link: Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appsquad.dhruv IOS-https://apps.apple.com/ro/app/geniuslane-parents-staff-app/id1635409185
- Dyslexia in Children
Dyslexia cognitive disabilityis a learning disability in both children and adults where reading and writing skills are affected. A person with dyslexia has difficulty with reading, writing, letters, words, and numbers, and reversing letters and words. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke definition describes dyslexia as “difficulty with spelling, phonological processing (handling sounds), or rapid visual-verbal response. Many people with dyslexia often excel or are gifted in the fields of art, computer science, design, drama, electronics, mathematics, mechanics, music, physics, sales, and sports. Dyslexia, also known as Alexia or developmental reading disorder, is characterized by difficulty learning to read and a different understanding of language despite normal or above-average intelligence. These include difficulties with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, processing speed, orthographic encoding, auditory short-term memory, language skills, and verbal comprehension or rapid naming. Internationally, dyslexia is referred to as a cognitive disorder related to reading and speaking. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke definition describes it as "difficulty with spelling, phonological processing (manipulating sounds), or rapid visual-verbal response." There are many Free Dyslexia Tests websites for Children, where you can check and also Identify an effective treatment plan. Dyslexia symptoms The signs of dyslexia can be difficult to spot before your child enters school, but some early clues may indicate a problem. Once your child reaches school age, your child's teacher may be the first to notice a problem. Severity varies, but the condition often becomes apparent when a child begins to learn to read. Before School Signs that a young child may be at risk for dyslexia include: Late talk Slow learning of new words Problems with forming words correctly, such as reversing the sounds in words or confusing words that sound alike Problems remembering or naming letters, numbers, and colors Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or playing rhyming games School-age Once your child is in school, symptoms of dyslexia may become more apparent, including: Reading well below the expected level for the age Problems with processing and understanding what is heard Difficulty finding the right word or forming answers to questions Problems remembering the order of things Difficulty seeing (and sometimes hearing) similarities and differences in letters and words Inability to make out the pronunciation of an unknown word Spelling difficulty Spending an unusually long-time completing tasks that involve reading or writing Avoid activities that involve reading Adolescents and adults The symptoms of dyslexia in teenagers and adults are very similar to those in children. Some common symptoms of dyslexia in teens and adults include: Difficult reading, including reading aloud Slow and laborious reading and writing Spelling problems Avoid activities that involve reading Mispronunciation of names or words, or problems retrieving words Spending an unusually long-time completing tasks that involve reading or writing The difficulty of summarizing the story Difficulty learning a foreign language Difficult to do math word problems Types of Dyslexia 1. Phonological dyslexia This is also called dysphonetic or auditory dyslexia. People with this type of dyslexia have difficulty processing the sounds of individual letters and syllables and cannot match them with written shapes. 2. Surface dyslexia This is also called dyseidetic or visual dyslexia. This type of dyslexia is characterized by difficulty recognizing whole words, likely resulting from vision or visual processing problems in the brain. With word recognition problems, these people may have difficulty learning and remembering words. 3. A quick lack of naming It is difficult for humans to quickly and automatically name a letter, number, color, or object. The processing speed is slow, and it takes a long time to name them. 4. Dual deficit dyslexia A person with dual-deficit dyslexia shows deficits in both phonological processing and naming speed. Most of the weakest readers fall into this category. Early treatment Children with dyslexia who receive special help in kindergarten, or first grade often improve their reading skills enough to succeed in elementary and middle school. Children who receive help in later grades may have more difficulty learning the skills needed to read well. They will likely fall behind academically and may never be able to catch up. A child with severe dyslexia may never find reading easy. However, a child can learn skills that improve reading and develop strategies to improve school performance and quality of life. What parents can do You play a key role in helping your child succeed. You can do these steps: Solve the problem in time. If you suspect your child has dyslexia, talk to your child's healthcare provider. Early intervention can improve success. Read aloud with your child. It's best to start when your child is young, but it's never too late to start. Introducing books as toys to children promotes fun, learning, and social interaction with caregivers. Read stories to your child. Also, try listening to recorded books with your child. When your child is old enough, read the stories together after your child hears them. Work with your child's school. Talk to the teacher about how the school can help your child succeed. You are your child's best advocate. Encourage reading time. Set aside time every day to read with your child. To improve reading skills, a child must practice reading. Encourage your child to read as skills develop. Also, have your child read aloud to you. Lead by example for reading. Designate a time each day to read something of your own while your child reads - this sets an example and supports your child. Show your child that reading can be enjoyable. When to visit a doctor Although most children are ready to learn to read by kindergarten or first grade, children with dyslexia often have trouble learning to read. Talk to your healthcare provider if your child's reading level is lower than expected for your child's age or if you notice other signs of dyslexia.When dyslexia goes undiagnosed and untreated, childhood reading difficulties continue into adulthood. Tips for Parents Learn as much as you can about autism spectrum disorder Provide consistent structure and routine Connect with other parents of children with autism In case of specific problems, seek professional help Make time for yourself and other family members Having a child with autism affects the whole family. It can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. It is important to pay attention to the physical and emotional health of the whole family. Geniuslane Child Development Centre provides information, resources, and support to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. For any query related to autism, you can call on +91-7669988833 / +91-0522-4082221 Also, you can WhatsApp on +91-9598157092 Or visit our website https://www.geniuslane.co.in/ App link: Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appsquad.dhruv IOS-https://apps.apple.com/ro/app/geniuslane-parents-staff-app/id1635409185