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The Start of a Journey-A guide for parents of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Navigating life after an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis can be overwhelming for families. To support them, CMC Vellore‘s Developmental Pediatrics Unit has designed a booklet titled “The Start of a Journey,” aimed at providing essential information and practical advice for families of children recently diagnosed with ASD.

Content and Features

“The Start of a Journey” addresses the immediate needs and concerns of families navigating an ASD diagnosis, covering:

  • Basic Information about ASD: An overview to help families understand what ASD is.
  • Recognizing the Signs: Descriptions of common signs and symptoms, aiding in early identification.
  • Interventions and Therapies: Information on various strategies and therapies available for children with ASD.
  • Practical Suggestions: Tips for supporting a child with ASD and managing daily challenges.
  • Frequently Asked Questions: Addressing common concerns to offer clarity and reassurance.

“The Start of a Journey” by CMC Vellore is a significant step toward supporting families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Families are encouraged to utilize this resource, seek support from healthcare professionals, and connect with communities that understand their experiences. This booklet aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals with autism.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this article is for information purposes only.

Stem Cell Therapy For Autism: Cure or Lure?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability that is typically characterized by signs such as difficulty in social communication and interaction, repetitive and restricted patterns of behavior, activities, and interests, along with challenges in learning and sensory processing. While the exact cause of autism remains unknown, various research and studies suggest that both genes and the environment may play important roles in its development.

In most cases, autism is diagnosed in early childhood or during toddler age, relying on various standardized tests and observations by developmental pediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologists. Evidence-based interventions for autism include speech therapy, occupational therapy, early intensive behavior therapy, and social skill training. Although no cure for autism has been found, these evidence-based therapies can help a child with autism reach their full potential.

Despite these known interventions, some medical practitioners mislead parents and families of children with autism by promoting Stem cell therapy as a complete cure for autism. Unfortunately, many innocent parents get lured into this trap and end up spending their life savings on an unproven treatment, which can also be potentially harmful.

So, let us first understand what Stem cell therapy is. Stem cells are specialized cells with the ability of self-renewal and can be a lifelong source of specialized functional cells for various human organs. Extensive research has been conducted on stem cells for treating human diseases, and one of the most clinically and internationally accepted stem cell therapies is Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

This recent documentary produced by the Yash Charitable Trust sheds light on the misinformation surrounding stem cell therapy given to parents of children born with autism.

Yash Charitable Trust (YCT) has joined forces with its partner Forum for Autism, renowned doctors and professionals in the field, have been working hard trying to promote best practices in understanding and working with neurodiversity. This film is a humble offering against the use of stem cell therapy as a treatment. Please watch and share widely.

Featuring: * Sushama Nagarkar (Psychologist, Trustee, Yash Charitable Trust, and Parent to an adult with autism) * Parul Kumtha (Trustee, Forum for Autism, Mumbai and Parent to a young autistic entrepreneur) * Dr. Vibha Krishnamurthy (Founder, Ummeed Child Development Centre) * Uma Ladiwala (Neuroscientist and Stem Cell Researcher, Formerly with TIFR and UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai) * Dr Vrajesh Udani (Child Neurology & Epilepsy, PD Hinduja National Hospital, BJ Wadia Children’s Hospital, and SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mumbai) * Dr Anaita Udwadia-Hegde (Paediatric Neurologist with SRCC Children’s Hospital, BJ Wadia Hospital, and Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai) * Ram Kumar (name changed) (Parent to a person with autism, who opted for Stem Cell Therapy) * Tayzeem Rasool (Autistic self-advocate) ** Yash Charitable Trust is Mumbai-based non-profit providing skill development and supported employment programs for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Official website: https://www.yashcharitabletrust.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yashcharita…

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this article is for information purposes only.

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