Due to lack of awareness, parents are unable to identify the symptoms of autism in their children when they are below three years, said neuro psychiatrist and assistant professor at the Government Medical College A. Vishal.
Addressing a gathering of mentally-challenged children and special teachers for spastics at the Special School being run by Sneha Society for Rural Reconstruction, in connection with the World Autism Awareness Day, here on Saturday, Dr. Vishal said that if the symptoms were identified when the children were below three years, the challenge could be overcome to a great extent.
When women are pregnant, they should take iron and folic acid pills from time to time on the advice of doctors and get examined at primary health centres, he said and added that autism was a neuro-defect and children were prone to be affected.
Children suffering from autism were weak in the expression of their feelings and did not mingle with others. While being in their own world they do not get adapted to the new environs. Generally, they are slow learners, said Dr. Vishal.
The Sneha Society and Akula Dharmabai Charitable Trust jointly organised the programme. The society secretary S. Sidhaiah, school principal Jyothi and vice-principal Rajeswari were present. Latter, they released pamphlets relating to awareness on autism.
