Parents who think their children have autism or need to understand this problem need to know a few basic facts.
Autism is genetic ,also environmental causes have been implicated. other than the recent vaccine issue the causes are not very important from management or treatment perspective.
The difficulties Pakistani parents face are manifold;
They do not recognise the autism symptoms earlier as there is no awareness about these disorders even in doctors. If the child presents with different presentations and loss of verbal skills ,they may think it as shyness, indiscipline etc. Due to the social and religious dogmatic milue of our society there is no effort on the part of even medical personnel to make people aware of this problem and provide help and care including educating the parents or family.
As in USA , Pakistan also now faces a large burden of disease with children with autism and related disorders.People need to understand these disorders.
Autism and autism like disorders consist of a spectrum in which are included Rett's, Asperger's syndromes, non-specific autism like disorders, etc.the difficulty faced by parents is that in case not earlier detected, th child may not be put in school,or may become aschool dropout due to failure to integrate.
If symptoms such as difficulty in social interactions such as eye contact, conversation,abnormal verbal exchange,inappropriate emotional response, repetetive actions and interest in games etc are causing concern , the parents need to seek help !
The good news is that if the child is given interventional treatment such as cognitive, behavioural and special educational treatment he may recover. Now according to a new study children with higher IQ's may eventually become fully functional. The best part about this study is that it gives hope to parents of children with these disorders.
In Pakistan there is a dire need for people to be made aware of these disorders and be given help and treatment facilities.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Some Parental Guidelines For Coping With Adolescents ,Teenagers with Mental Disorders
Here are some tips you should follow in order to give better care to your child;
Always dissociate your relationship and try to look at her/his disease in a cool and scientific manner.
Whenever a crises situation starts always contact a professional for guidance, help.
Keep important telephone numbers handy; on the fridge ,with the keys hanger or easily accessable place.
Place all important information about patient, drugs treatment ,dosage, emergency help measures in easily accessable place and keep copy in office, with friends or other family members.
Always take into confidence about the condition of the patient, the treatment,physician, other help information, a close friend or relative, so that in case of emergency, they maybe able to help.
Always keep the nearest hospital/ emergency telephone,contact person address handy.
Always take time out for your own self and find some entertainment to lighten up.
Take time out for other children and family members.
Always take psychologist help to train yourself to manage situations like anger,stress,etc.
Many a times your own depression or other mental disorder may exacerbate or come to limelight during a crises.Seek professional help immediately. Do not postpone or decide to face things on your own. This is just like a car when it needs servicing or oil has to be given the service. you cant give water to a car and presume it will function. You have to be fit yourself when the child needs more care from you.
Also see that your spouse or partner also does not need professional help. Sometimes both parents also need psychiatric help.
Always take into guided confidence about your child's treatment and care options, information, the school management.Try to softly and cooly provide them enough information so that they may help and not panic if a need arises.
In Pakistan, the bigger ,the more famous the schools are the less likely they are to understand or help the child . So try and put your child in a school where they may be less stressed and find more happy environment.
Do not be judgemental and do not discuss or argue infront of the child. Always remove him or her if any one is bitching or bieng judgemental.
Try and read a smuch as possible and go on internet , see u tube and read health articles as much as possible to understand the disorder.
Find support groups, if not available locally, create one yourself. You will be surprised how many children suffer from mental disorders.
Last but not least try to find inner peace in yourself through prayer and charity. You will be surprised how much spirituality helps in healing.
Always dissociate your relationship and try to look at her/his disease in a cool and scientific manner.
Whenever a crises situation starts always contact a professional for guidance, help.
Keep important telephone numbers handy; on the fridge ,with the keys hanger or easily accessable place.
Place all important information about patient, drugs treatment ,dosage, emergency help measures in easily accessable place and keep copy in office, with friends or other family members.
Always take into confidence about the condition of the patient, the treatment,physician, other help information, a close friend or relative, so that in case of emergency, they maybe able to help.
Always keep the nearest hospital/ emergency telephone,contact person address handy.
Always take time out for your own self and find some entertainment to lighten up.
Take time out for other children and family members.
Always take psychologist help to train yourself to manage situations like anger,stress,etc.
Many a times your own depression or other mental disorder may exacerbate or come to limelight during a crises.Seek professional help immediately. Do not postpone or decide to face things on your own. This is just like a car when it needs servicing or oil has to be given the service. you cant give water to a car and presume it will function. You have to be fit yourself when the child needs more care from you.
Also see that your spouse or partner also does not need professional help. Sometimes both parents also need psychiatric help.
Always take into guided confidence about your child's treatment and care options, information, the school management.Try to softly and cooly provide them enough information so that they may help and not panic if a need arises.
In Pakistan, the bigger ,the more famous the schools are the less likely they are to understand or help the child . So try and put your child in a school where they may be less stressed and find more happy environment.
Do not be judgemental and do not discuss or argue infront of the child. Always remove him or her if any one is bitching or bieng judgemental.
Try and read a smuch as possible and go on internet , see u tube and read health articles as much as possible to understand the disorder.
Find support groups, if not available locally, create one yourself. You will be surprised how many children suffer from mental disorders.
Last but not least try to find inner peace in yourself through prayer and charity. You will be surprised how much spirituality helps in healing.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Helping poor women reduce their health risks in Pakistan.
Here are some small points to help on this blog;
http://networkofwomenpakistan.blogspot.com/.
Drop by drop an ocean make, start your effort NOW!
http://networkofwomenpakistan.blogspot.com/.
Drop by drop an ocean make, start your effort NOW!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Mood disorders and how to cope
The various mood disorders like depresion,bipolar,dysphoria,etc., are causing major dificulties for people. It is like spending a lifetime with a weight on one's head, moving with feet tied, unable to do much productive work,looking at life with no power or wrong eye power.Mostly no one goes to doctors and even if diagnosed patients tend to take proper treatment. It is necessary to understand the importance of treatment and seeking the right help. When the time is given to treatment the results are quite encouraging. Even as the patient is in the middle ,he or she feels to enjoy the improved life changes which was not to be if treatment was not started.In order to lead more productive lives, here a re some suggestions;
- Go ahead shop for doctors,good ones too.
- Read maximum about the disorder but do not make the diagnosis yourself,you may be surprised by the diagnosis given by the expert.
- Always start treatment under doctor's care, stick to appointments, never stop treatment on your own, report any symptoms that are new to the doctor.
- Go for cognitive behavioural therapy,this will help you to learn skills,make resources and indulge in hobbies like painting to focus and improve your cognitive health.
- In case of menstrual mood changes go ahead with treatment with SSRI's under doctor's care for short term. It helps.Help ateenager or adolescent understand his/her disorder.
- Give support to others,it has been seen that nurturing fosters speeding up of healing.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
People with Courage and Conviction
Today I am writing about a person who impressed me with courage and conviction,so rare in people nowadays. He is Mr. Haroon Bashir, a patient with Parkinson's disease.he not only boldly faced the disease but also formed the Parkinson's Society for Pakistan.The aim of this society is to help and train not only patients with Parkinson's disease but also doctors and caregivers. Their information is available on the link website of Mr Haroon as I have posted on my blog. Anyone wanting understanding of this disease must see this and if in Pakistan should take membership.
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