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My Son Is Suffering From Autism , How Can I

Posted on Fri, 9 Nov 2018

Question: My son is suffering from Autism, how can I help him overcome this issue?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please elaborate on the problems and issues that the child is facing

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental problem. It cannot be cured but can be kept in control. Management is symptomatic. If the child has seizures, antiepileptic medicines need to be given. If the child is hyperactive or restless, there are certain other medicines that need to be given. Group therapy, play therapy, behavioral therapy etc. are some of the therapies that are usually helpful. Speech therapy is essential. If you can delineate the exact problems, perhaps I could guide you further.

I would await your response.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Thanks for the reply.
My son is not suffering from seizures but he is hyperactive or restless.
When we speak to him he will tell the same exact word or sentence but he does not know what it mean?
If he doesn't want to eat while feeding him He does not even say no rather he will shout. If he want water he will go and get the water bottle but he doesn't say he want water.
If he want to eat biscuits or want any thing he will take us to the box or wardrode and will lift our hands to get that making sound like emmm.

Please let me know if you need any thing else?

Thanks,
Sandeep.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Various types of therapies are needed

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for clarifying.

Autism Spectrum Disorders involve a problem with communication and correlation. In other words, the child feels cut off and cannot communicate how he feels or thinks. This evidently leads to a restlessness and hyperactivity since he cannot control his impulse for action which would otherwise been communicated in some other meaningful manner. There are psychological therapies like group therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy that can help in dealing with such problems. You need to keep him under the care of a psychologist who could address the issues. A few medicines might be needed for the hyperactivity and a psychiatrist would be able to write them for you (these are prescription medications). Special schooling or integrative schooling with assistance of special educators is essential.

Feel free to write back.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (32 minutes later)

Is it curable or he has to suffer with this all his life?
Do we need to take him to the doctor?
I feel bad to take him to the therapy.He is little kid and suffering from disorder, What happens if I don't take him to doctor?
Is there any reason why he is suffering from Autism?
Are these medicines powerful that affect the brain?

Thanks,
Sandeep.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Treatment needs to be given at the earliest.

Detailed Answer:
Pardon me for the inadvertent delay in responding.

You need to understand that those therapies are the 'treatment' for your child. If you do not want to get your child treated, the matters would continue to worsen. I do not think that you want that to happen. So, going for those therapies is the only option and that has to be done at the earliest.

You need to understand that autism is a disorder where the connections in the brain are messed up at formation. That is the cause of autism. These connections need to be set in order as much as possible. This has to be done fast as the connections are more or less complete by the age of 5 years. So, there is a huge task you need to accomplish in minimal time. The condition can be corrected to some extent but not completely. In other words it cannot be cured. But diabetes too is a condition that cannot be cured. Nevertheless, it is kept in control with proper treatment. The treatment in this case comprises of those therapies. The role of medicines is minimal but nevertheless present. But medicines will not make the condition go away. The medicines definitely affect the brain. That is what they are for.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Ok thanks Doctor for the detailed answer. I will take him to group and cognitive therapy based on your suggestion.

Thanks,
Sandeep.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Let us hope for the best

Detailed Answer:
I am glad that you understand. Psychologists and psychiatrists would be able to offer interventions for your child. I would hope that things fall into place soon.

Regards

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana