By Samatha Mathew, Research Coordinator at the Jewel Autism and Child Development Centre
November 25, 2024 – In honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, let’s shine a light on the transformative power of early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Every morning, Jewel Autism and Child Development Centre, India’s largest child development center, buzzes with activity. Over 400 children, each with unique developmental needs, receive specialized care from a team of occupational therapists, behavioral therapists, speech therapists, and special educators.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the ability of a child to interact with society. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 100 children globally is diagnosed with ASD. This diverse spectrum of conditions presents itself in various ways, from mild to severe, impacting individuals differently.
Common Characteristics of ASD
Poor response to social cues: Autistic children may show very little eye contact. They inconsistently respond to their name being called. Another aspect of autism is a lack of social smile. Autistic children tend to play in isolation and avoid peer interactions.
Repetitive and restricted behaviors:
Autistic individuals are known for their adherence to routines and repetitive behaviors. From hand-flapping and toe-walking to the repetitive lining up of toys, these behaviors are characteristic of autism spectrum disorder.
Sensory issues: Autistic individuals can be hyper- or hypo- sensitive to sensory stimuli including lights, sounds, smells, touch, and taste.
How Is ASD Diagnosed?
Regular developmental milestone checks by a pediatrician can help identify potential signs of ASD or other developmental delays early on. Further diagnostic tests for ASD may be performed by a team of experts on the recommendation of the pediatrician.
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), ASD is categorized into three levels, depending on the severity of symptoms. Autistic individuals with severe symptoms require substantial support throughout their lives and may need accommodation for day-to-day activities.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Early intervention is crucial for children with ASD, as the brain is especially adaptable in the early years of development. By starting therapy as young as possible, often around 2 to 3 years of age, children with ASD can make significant progress in:
- Social skills: Developing the ability to interact with others, make friends, and engage in cooperative play.
- Communication skills: Improving verbal and nonverbal communication, including speech, language, and gestures.
- Behavioral skills: Reducing challenging behaviors and developing adaptive behaviors, such as self-regulation and problem-solving.
- Cognitive skills: Enhancing cognitive abilities, including attention, memory, and problem-solving.
Jewel’s Holistic Approach to Early Intervention
Jewel Autism and Child Development Centre offers a comprehensive range of therapies and interventions, tailored to the individual needs of each child. These include:
Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy deals with improving gross and fine motor skills and developing skills for daily activities. An occupational therapist can also help in managing sensory challenges.
Sensory integration therapy: Sensory integration therapy (SIT) aims at training a child to use all the senses together—that is, touch, smell, taste, sight, hearing, balance, etc.—through activities that engage different body parts. SIT is meant to reduce repetitive behaviors in autistic children by managing their experiences of sensory overload.
Speech therapy: Speech therapy is particularly beneficial for autistic individuals since they often lack social communication skills. A speech language pathologist identifies the autistic individual’s requirements and sets goals to develop speech accordingly.
Behavioral therapy: Behavioral therapy aims to reinforce positive behaviors while discouraging behaviors that are undesirable.
Empowering Families and Building Inclusive Communities
Jewel’s commitment to early intervention extends beyond therapy sessions. Specialists actively involve parents in their child’s treatment plan, providing education and support to empower families to continue therapy at home. By working closely with families and advocating for inclusive education, Jewel strives to create a society that embraces diversity and supports the unique needs of children with ASD.
A Personal Experience
“My third son was diagnosed with autism at the age of one. His condition worsened until he was two years old. Over the past one and a half years, he has received therapy at Jewel Autism Centre, and his progress has been remarkable. Now six years old, he has achieved the educational level of a typical six-year-old. His speech and social skills have significantly improved, reaching the level of a three-year-old.
Jewel’s unique approach involves active parental participation in all therapy sessions. Therapists provide regular feedback to parents, allowing for continuous monitoring and adjustment of treatment plans. Notably, many international patients have benefited from therapy at this center, demonstrating the effectiveness of this non-medical approach.”
Dr. Shahanaz Ahamed, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurologist ).
Watch Dr. Ahamed’s testimonial video here.
So far, Jewel has reached about 150,000 children in both India and Dubai. As the centre celebrates 18 years of dedicated service, their mission remains unwavering: to provide early and comprehensive intervention for children with ASD and other developmental disabilities, empowering them to reach their full potential and integrate seamlessly into society.
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About Jewel Autism and Child Development Centre
Jewel is a multi-specialty centre based in India with a centre in Dubai, UAE. Jewel has a wide range of departments and well-trained professionals under one roof. The centre is a pediatric setting where children up to nine years old undergo assessment by professionals from different backgrounds such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral therapy. Once the child has been assessed by the therapists, a custom schedule is designed with goals set according to the child’s difficulties. The therapists strictly follow these goals while administering therapy to the child. One of the unique selling propositions ( USPs) of Jewel is transparent therapy—that is, the parents are present with the therapists during the intervention, allowing them to continue the training of the child at home as well. There are periodic case discussions for each child, during which the goals may be revisited and the parent vets each of these decisions.