Post Graduate (PG) Department of Social Work of Sri Krishna Arts and Science College (SKASC), Coimbatore today conducted a special lecture on Child Psychiatry at the college premises. Dr. Kala Rajagopal, Occupational Therapist, Mind Matters, Coimbatore was the Chief Guest.
In her address she said “Autism is found more among male and one among 15 children are affected by autism. The awareness among parents nowadays about children behavioural changes has increased. Show your child how to be successful, understand that your child has a problem, be patient in your approach, prompt new skills, observe your child, rewards and praise their efforts, talk to your child more often and reassure your little one that your care.” she said.
Further she stated “Parents should never force their children, but should show them possible opportunities to select anything. At the same time we have to advise the child on ethics. For this parenting is the main key which inculcates moral values to the child. Anyhow all children might have problems. The parents have to advice and counsel on these problems to get back regular track. Children spend a majority of their time either in home or school settings. Hence, these settings should have calm environments to them. Knowing the importance of this, the parents and teachers must act here the role of professionals.”
She told her audience that the problems in children can lead to poor performance in normal functions which may affect their growth, education, extracurricular activities, happiness etc. Ultimately it affects mark scoring, problems in reading, writing, listening, learning, engagement and involvement, home work, behavioural disorders, discomfort in all activities she said.
In her address she also covered the topics of Mental Retardation, Intellectual Functioning, Management, Specific Development Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Slow Learners, Pervasive Developmental Disorder like Autism, Rett’s Disorder, CDD, Asperger’s Disorder, PDD NOS. ADHD, Conduct Disorder, TIC Disorder, Speech Disorder.
“The main reason for children mental illness is because of marring the blood relative. Now this aspect is reducing but even though it is prevailing in some families. There is a difference between learning disabilities and slow learners. Children with Learning Disability will have common intelligence but slow learners will have below average intelligence. In Pervasive Development Disorder, Autism is mostly common in male whereas Rett’s Disorder is common in female.” Dr. Kala said. She added that more professionals who work in these areas can solve these problems and enable children lead a productive, satisfying and independent life.
Dr.P.Babagnanakumar, Principal of the college initiated the programme, Dr.A.Alagarsamy, Head of the department of Social Work, Prof.Sangeeta Paul, B.Mohanapriya, V.Vysnave and MSW students took part in the programme.