FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ABOUT MENTAL RETARDATION

What is wrong with my child? Why is she / he not developing like other children?

Ans: The brain controls the functioning of entire body. If the brain is damaged it may be manifested as developmental delay, mental retardation, poor learning and performance. Your child's problem may be any of the above. Hence the child is different in development and learning.

How early can parents seek early intervention when their baby is found to be developmentally delayed?

Ans: As soon as it is recognized that the young child is developmentally delay. Prompt treatment and intervention will help the child to reach his/her optimal level of development. The first 24 months of a normal child's life have tremendous and rapid growth and development. Hence, the earlier the parents seek intervention services the better it is for the child's development.

Will my child walk and talk like other children?

Ans: Children with mental retardation do learn to walk, understand and speak. How far and how quickly they learn depends on the extend of the brain damage.

Why does my child get fits?

Fits are manifestalicus of abnormal brain functioning due to structural or biochemical changes. The common causes : Lack of Oxygen Lack of glucose supply Bleeding in the brain Increase pressure in the brain Abnormal growths of tumors Accumulation of Abnormal substances Poisons or toxins Infections Head injuries High fever Dehydration In any of these above conditions damage the train then the child can get fits.

Can we send our child to a regular for education?

Child has to be sent to a special school for education. Special educators are trained to teach children with mental retardation, they use special methods, techniques and material to teach children in basic skills, which are essential for independent living.

Will she / he able to earn his livelihood?

With systematic and timely intervention many person with mental retardation will be able to perform skilled, semi-skilled and repetitive jobs.

Can marriage be a cure for mental retardation?

Marriage is not a cure for mental retardation, if the person with mental retardation cannot understand the system of marriage and assure the needed rale and responsibility, marriage can prove to be unsuccessful.

Will I have another child like this?

Depending on the cause, there may be the possibility of another child being affected, therefore parents are advised to go for genetic counseling prior to planning for another child.

How early can parents seek early intervention when their baby is found to be developmentally delayed?

As soon as it is recognized that the young child is delayed, prompt treatment and early intervention will help the child to react his / her optimal level of development.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ABOUT AUTISM

What causes Autism?

Anything that can produce structural or functional damage in the central nervous system can produce the syndrome of Autism.

Is there any treatment for autism?

As of today the best treatment for autism is to autism is to impact to the autistic children a structured education and training so, as to eventually make them self-reliant and suitably rehabilitated to live an independent life with as little help as possible.

Can speech therapy help autistic children?

Speech therapy can help some children. It is absolutely essential for the speech therapist to understand autism in general and also the individual child.

What makes the autistic child hyperactive?

Most of the autistic children are restless because of an impairment in their cognitive communicative and social skills.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ABOUT CEREBRAL PALSY

What is the matter with my child? Why is he not growing up like other children?

Your child has a condition called cerebral palsy. This means that there is a lesion in a part of his brain which controls the movements of his body and that is why his movements his balance, his posture and his speech are affected. It is due to this reason that your child's movements differ from that of other children of the same age.

How did my child catch this disease? Who is to blame?

First and foremost, cerebral palsy is not a disease, it is a condition. Secondly, human being would willingly cause a condition like cerebral palsy to one's own child. So no blame should be attributed to anyone.

Is cerebral palsy hereditary?

It is not an inherited condition; rather it is a result of damage to the developing brain by environmental factors.

Can cerebral palsy be cured by medicine?

There is no cure for cerebral palsy; medication can help to manage associated conditions such as epilepsy. Respiratory problems and psychological problems.

Is my child mad?

No, your child is definitely not mad. The child is slow in development and in learning.