World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) was observed at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on Monday.
V. Booma, Professor and Head, Department of Paediatrics, said that early intervention was necessary to integrate children affected by autism into mainstream schooling. Autism in children must be identified within 18 months from their birth for proper rehabilitation. Autism is a behavioural disorder and needs occupational therapy.
An autism screening guide for primary care givers and teachers was released on the occasion by CMCH Dean B. Asokan.
Session
About 150 special educators, teachers and 60 doctors from Primary Health Centres attended a workshop organised at CMCH. The workshop dealt on recognition of autism and screening methodology; psychological assessment and follow up; management of autism, oral hygiene in autistic children and importance of early intervention and rehabilitation.
Medical superintendent S. Balasubramanian, paediatrician B. Mohamad Ansar Ali spoke, paediatrics professor M. Geethanjali took part.
