• About Autism:
Two clinician-scientists were the earliest to describe the features of Autism over 80years ago. Leo Kanner was an Austrian American psychiatrist, physician, and social activist and Johann “Hans” Friedrich Karl Asperger was an Austrian pediatrician and medical professor. Working independently across continents, both described children who were highly intelligent but displayed “a powerful desire for aloneness” and “an obsessive insistence on persistent sameness.”
They brought out other striking features in their writings, stressing, a. they do not make eye contact b. they seem to take in things with short, peripheral glances c. there is a poverty of facial expressions and gestures d. the use of language appears abnormal, unnatural e. the children follow their own impulses, regardless of the demands of the environment.
These descriptions ring true even today and contribute towards the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• The Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder:
The management of Autism remains an enigma. With no single cause identified, no single drug or biological treatment has been identified as being effective. Many children within the autism spectrum receive symptomatic drug treatment for hyperactivity, impulsivity, mood swings and insomnia. Therapy remains the mainstay of management for patients with ASD, across the lifespan. Psychological, behavioural, occupational and speech therapy are in particular)
utilised extensively, while a proportion of patients follow special diets. Children in the autistic spectrum attend special schools, sometimes mainstream schools with special classrooms; a good proportion also need after school therapies.
• Why we must Think Different?
1. Think brain (not mind): Neuroimaging and neurogenetic studies have clearly demonstrated that Autism Spectrum Disorders are conditions of brain development.
2. Think interesting (not problematic): In the words of Prof. Oliver Sacks “It has to do with qualities of the mind which are preserved, even enhanced, so that, though “mentally defective” in some ways, they may be “mentally interesting”, even “mentally complete” in others!
3. Think enhanced (not diminished): “Enhanced powers of concrete imagery & memory and an obsessive preoccupation with particulars, the development of an eidetic imagery & memory, and the mentality of a performer, or whiz kid” have all been described by Prof. Oliver Sacks. Indeed higher order artistic, musical, lexical and mathematical abilities have been described in some people with autism, those with supreme abilities being termed as savants.
4. Think square pegs (in a world full of round holes): The problem for the person with autism is that in focussing on the particulars and being incapable of generalisation, they are square pegs that cannot be accommodated easily in a world full of round holes. It falls upon us as a society to create a “autism multiverse” in which they can thrive.
5. Think intelligence (not impairment): The theory of Multiple Intelligences propounded by Prof. Howard Gardner states that people are not more or less intelligent; rather different people are intelligent differently, in unique and multiple ways. Its not therefore just how smart you are, but how you are smart! Especially applicable to conditions like autism, MI proposes that each one of us has a range of intelligences that we could put to good use.
While it would be fallacious to assume that every person within the autism spectrum is talented, it is important we explore the many possibilities. It is also important that we understand the problem as not being their own, alone; also, that of a society that is unwilling or incapable in parts of accommodating “their difference”. Its time therefore for us to “think different”!
• What we do at Buddhi Clinic www.buddhiclinic.com
In the Buddhi Clinic we have researched and pioneered the utility of integrated care that combines modem medicine like drugs and brain stimulation (used mainly in adolescents and adults) with ancient wisdom. Ayurveda treatments, Acupressure and Reflexology, Natural treatments using river mud and water, which are delivered by us to children with ASD, as part of a holistic care program. These are combined of course with conventional physical, psychological and language interventions. We also use multiple intelligences to assess and manage our children. We have, in a pioneering step, introduced “neuromodulation” – both Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) & today through CSR of Rane Madras Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (rTDCS) for adolescents and older adults with the condition. Our research has shown powerful effects of these treatments in improving behaviour, sleep, metabolism and health related quality of life for those affected.
• The Buddhi Book in English, Tamil & now Hindi!
Our journey has enabled great learnings, about the utility of such “integrated care”; learnings that have been described in our “Autism- The Buddhi Book”
now available in English, Tamil & now Hindi. We are releasing the Hindi s translation of the Buddhi Book today. Through this integrated care approach we believe we have successfully touched new, hitherto unexplored, vistas, not just 3 in caring for people with Autism, but for a range of brain and mind conditions, across the lifespan: ADHD, cerebral palsy, dementia, y depression, epileps, parkinsonism, spinal disorders, stroke, traumatic brain injury etc. For more
information about the Buddhi Clinic and its pioneering work contact 9500010067 & 9500010056 or email care(cauddhiclinic.com)
• Social Impact: At Buddhi Clinic we believe in giving back to society, enlisting Corporate Social Responsibility to do so. In previous years we have received donations of Mobile Therapy Units- fully air-conditioned and sound proofed ambulances within which we are able to deliver treatments at the door step of those who need therapy and rehabilitation. These projects have touched the lives of children with Autism at Vidya Sagar- Spastic Society of India and adults with various forms of mental disability including Autism at Aim for Seva’s Krupa Home. This year we are very privileged to receive from Rane Madras Ltd. a generous donation of tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) equipment that will be deployed in our Mobile Therapy Units, free of cost, to the benefit of those individuals receiving our therapy at their doorstep.
Integrated Care for Autism and a call to “Think Different” on the even of World Autism Day – For More Information & Interviews Dr, Ennapadam S Krishnamoorthy, Founder- Buddhi Clinic can be contacted on 9500010056/ 67.
