THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Comprehensive Centre for Neuro Developmental Disorders, a joint venture of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMT) along with the National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH), will be inaugurated on Tuesday. The centre will focus on diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopment disorders. Neurodevelopment disorders include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, learning disability and cerebral palsy.
Experts say affected children may have coexisting conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disturbances, anxiety and gastrointestinal problems for which additional evaluation and therapy are required. The Centre would provide succour to the children affected by debilitating conditions. Multi disciplinary services will be offered by a dedicated team comprising neurologist, speech and language pathologist, psychologist, occupational therapist and physiotherapist. The Centre has facilities which include exclusive physiotherapy unit, sensory integration unit and virtual gaming station. The psychotherapist will help children improve balance and coordination and assist those with walking difficulties.
Experts say children and young adults with autism, process sensory inputs from the world around them differently from normal people which makes simple tasks such as coping with classroom noise, the feel of certain fabrics, brushing the teeth or standing in a queue overwhelming. Hence use of various sensory processing strategies and sensory integration techniques aid such children in dealing with these situations. The virtual gaming station at the Centre would provide a platform for fun and interactive learning. The multi-sensory room and sensory park to be set up at NISH is a scientifically structured comforting space that would incorporate outdoor games in order to stimulate the child’s senses.
