World Autism Awareness Day and occupational therapy

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.One estimation is also that one child in 500 in Bangladesh has autism, meaning that the approximate number of children with ASDs in Bangladesh is no less than 280,000.
World Autism Awareness is observed each year on 2nd April. The theme of this year "Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination"
The identification and treatment of children with Autism in Bangladesh was confined to a few Medical College Hospitals and Post Graduate Institutes. Even doctors were not aware of the clinical features of Autism and its management and sometimes cannot understand the disorder. The services for children with Autism was visually reflected from 1990 in Dhaka Shishu Hospital and other hospitals and subsequently many other organizations like Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed  (CRP) ,the Society for the Welfare of Autistic Children (SWAC), Autistic Welfare Foundation (AWF), PROYASH and others came forward with their activities for autistic children from the year  2000 and onward .
With the establishment of the Centre for Neurodevelopment & Autism in children in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University awareness for Autism was boosted in Bangladesh. Recent International Conference in Bangladesh on Autism Spectrum Disorders and developmental Disabilities in Bangladesh and South Asia held in Dhaka on 25-29july gave a new direction to the awareness, research and services for autistic children.
Now the National Advisory Committee on Autism has been formed with Saima Hossain Putul  as chairperson, and four Task Forces are working under her leadership, and activities on Autism has gained momentum in Bangladesh.
Occupational Therapy is important for ASD child. A person who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often has trouble communicating and interacting with other people; his or her interests, activities, and play skills may be limited. Occupational therapy may help people with autism develop these skills at home and in school.
How is occupational therapy useful for evaluation of ASD?
The therapist observes children to see if they can do tasks they are expected to do at their ages -- getting dressed or playing a game, for example. Sometimes, the therapist will have the child videotaped during the day in order to see how the child interacts with his or her environment so that he or she can better assess the kind of care the child needs. The therapist might note any of the following:

Attention span and stamina
Transition to new activities
Play skills
Need for personal space
Responses to touch or other types of stimuli
Motor skills such as posture, balance, or manipulation of small objects
Aggression or other types of behaviors
Interactions between the child and caregivers
How does occupational therapy help a person with autism spectrum disorder?
Once an occupational therapist has gathered information, he or she can develop a program for your child. There is no single ideal treatment program. But early, structured, individualized care has been shown to work best.
Occupational therapy may combine a variety of strategies. These can help your child respond better to his or her environment. These OT strategies include:
Physical activities, such as stringing beads or doing puzzles, to help a child develop coordination and body awareness
Play activities to help with interaction and communication
Practice Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)  such as brushing teeth and combing hair, eating, drinking water etc.
Adaptive strategies, including coping with transitions Sensory Integration Therapy
Is there a cure?
There is presently no known cure for ASD. However, early intervention, specialised education and structured support can help develop an individual’s skills. Every individual with ASD will make progress, although each
individual’s progress will be different.
Progress depends on a number of factors including the unique make up of the individual and the type and intensity of intervention. With the support of family, friends and service providers, individuals with ASD can achieve a good quality of life.

 

 

World Autism Awareness Day and occupational therapy

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.One estimation is also that one child in 500 in Bangladesh has autism, meaning that the approximate number of children with ASDs in Bangladesh is no less than 280,000. World Autism Awareness is observed each year on 2nd April. The theme of this year Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination The identification and treatment of children with Autism in Bangladesh was confined to a few Medical College Hospitals and Post Graduate Institutes. Even doctors were not aware of the clinical features of Autism and its management and sometimes cannot understand the disorder. The services for children with Autism was visually reflected from 1990 in Dhaka Shishu Hospital and other hospitals and subsequently many other organizations like Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) ,the Society for the Welfare of Autistic Children (SWAC), Autistic Welfare Foundation (AWF), PROYASH and others came forward with their activities for autistic children from the year 2000 and onward . With the establishment of the Centre for Neurodevelopment Autism in children in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University awareness for Autism was boosted in Bangladesh. Recent International Conference in Bangladesh on Autism Spectrum Disorders and developmental Disabilities in Bangladesh and South Asia held in Dhaka on 25-29july gave a new direction to the awareness, research and services for autistic children. Now the National Advisory Committee on Autism has been formed with Saima Hossain Putul as chairperson, and four Task Forces are working under her leadership, and activities on Autism has gained momentum in Bangladesh. Occupational Therapy is important for ASD child. A person who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often has trouble communicating and interacting with other people; his or her interests, activities, and play skills may be limited. Occupational therapy may help people with autism develop these skills at home and in school. How is occupational therapy useful for evaluation of ASD? The therapist observes children to see if they can do tasks they are expected to do at their ages -- getting dressed or playing a game, for example. Sometimes, the therapist will have the child videotaped during the day in order to see how the child interacts with his or her environment so that he or she can better assess the kind of care the child needs. The therapist might note any of the following: Attention span and stamina Transition to new activities Play skills Need for personal space Responses to touch or other types of stimuli Motor skills such as posture, balance, or manipulation of small objects Aggression or other types of behaviors Interactions between the child and caregivers How does occupational therapy help a person with autism spectrum disorder? Once an occupational therapist has gathered information, he or she can develop a program for your child. There is no single ideal treatment program. But early, structured, individualized care has been shown to work best. Occupational therapy may combine a variety of strategies. These can help your child respond better to his or her environment. These OT strategies include: Physical activities, such as stringing beads or doing puzzles, to help a child develop coordination and body awareness Play activities to help with interaction and communication Practice Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as brushing teeth and combing hair, eating, drinking water etc. Adaptive strategies, including coping with transitions Sensory Integration Therapy Is there a cure? There is presently no known cure for ASD. However, early intervention, specialised education and structured support can help develop an individuals skills. Every individual with ASD will make progress, although each individuals progress will be different. Progress depends on a number of factors including the unique make up of the individual and the type and intensity of intervention. With the support of family, friends and service providers, individuals with ASD can achieve a good quality of life.