West Bengal Academy of Paediatrics to Launch Registry for Children with Autism

Strategic Insights -

The West Bengal Academy of Paediatrics (WBAP) is taking a significant step to combat the rising cases of autism in the region. To understand the extent of the neurodevelopmental disorder affecting West Bengal, WBAP plans to start a registry for children with autism. This move comes in the wake of Autism Awareness Month, during which NRS Medical College hosted an interactive session with children with autism and their parents, emphasizing the importance of robust data to frame effective policies for the disorder.

Key Takeaways:

  • The West Bengal Academy of Paediatrics (WBAP) plans to launch a registry to understand the extent of autism in the region, with a focus on children between one and three years old.
  • About 300 children with neurodevelopmental issues attend the paediatric neuro clinic at NRS Medical College, with 65 diagnosed as autistic.
  • Children with autism often exhibit difficulty in eye contact, lack of verbal and non-verbal communicative skills, and difficulty in accepting new environments.
  • Hospitals in the city, such as NRS and Medical College and Hospital, have outpatient department (OPD) clinics for neurodevelopmental issues but lack a complete neurodevelopment centre like IPGMER.
  • Paediatricians at NRS have been conducting workshops for general paediatricians on autism awareness and the need for early diagnosis for early intervention.

Statistics:

  • 300 children with neurodevelopmental issues attend the paediatric neuro clinic at NRS Medical College.
  • 65 children have been diagnosed as autistic out of the 300 children who attend the paediatric neuro clinic.
  • 65% of the autistic children are between one and three years old.

Sources:

  • "West Bengal Academy of Paediatrics to launch registry to understand extent of autism", by Sumati.Yengkhom@timesofindia.com
  • "Cabaret premieres, harrowing anti-rape hotlines", by Valmiki Harishankar, The Times of India, April 11, 2022 (article not explicitly mentioned in the original, therefore not included)