Transpact Enterprises at India International Trade Fair 2017.

It was an enriching experience for the team of Transpact Enterprises to be a part of the 37th edition of India’s largest integrated Trade fair i.e India International Trade Fair 2017 inaugurated at the hands of Honourable President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. Managed by India Trade Promotion Organisation the format weaved together the Business, Social, Cultural and Educational dimensions with B2B and B2C components.

The fair Commenced from November 14 and lasted up to November 2017. The theme of the fair for 2017 was "Startup India Stand-up India". Vietnam was partner country, while Kyrgyzstan was the focus country, the fair was the showcase of India on the global stage. There were 7,000 exhibitors, including 222 companies from 22 countries along with thirty-two Indian states and union territories. Transpact was privileged to be a part of such a Mega event of the country.

After a strenuous scrutiny conducted by the Government of Maharashtra of about more than 200 start-ups, Transpact was selected amongst 60 others to represent the State of Maharashtra at IITF and be a part of Maharashtra Pavilion.

We showcased our award winning & forerunner product “The Vestibulator “to more than 6,00,000 visitors which included Overseas Trade Delegations, Foreign Emissaries, Business Leaders, Decision Makers, Policy Makers, State Ministries, Government Departments, Private sector players and Public also. Designed in joint research with The Industrial Research and Consultancy Centre, IIT B to stimulate the vestibular system of the user especially for children suffering from Cerebral Palsy & Autism;The Vestibulator is an unique, innovative, mechanized, digital healthcare solution (device) to achieve   maximum Vestibular Stimulation for vestibular, neuro-developmental and sensory integration therapy.  

I am happy to share that We received a tremendous response from the visitors including the queries about where the Vestibulator could be brought from, when will it be in the market for sale and so on. The concept, design, technology and the extent of Vestibulators’ socio-economic impact & relevance received an optimistic feedback technology experts, policy makers, academicians, general public and visitors such as Shri Ramdas Athawale -Minister of State for Social Justice, Shri Shivaji Daund-Managing Director MSSIDC, Shri Harshadeep Kamble -State Development Commissioner  (Industries) , Mr. Kush Kesari -CS MSSIDC and many more.

Maharashtra Pavilion received a special appreciation from the Government of India for its excellent display of start-ups.  

Glimpses of fair are attached herein.      

Being a less stressed parent …

Like I have always said parenthood is not easy. Raising a child is a big responsibility, a never-ending journey of love, care, compassion also equally stressful. And if you have a child with Special needs things tend to be more difficult as a parent. It is a prolonged journey of learning and improvisation to be a better parent.

In today’s world when life is so stressful in all aspects, managing stress as a parent of child with special needs is challenging. Being positive about the things and having healthy attitude towards life is very important to manage this stress. Acceptance of the things around and being thankful for what you have got really helps. Along with taking care of your child concentrating on your own health is also a must. Including proper nutrition, sleep and exercise as part of your daily routine helps as taking care of child with special need is a time and energy consuming process.

Spending time yourself will always help you to rejuvenate and start a fresh. So, always manage to have time for yourself may be just 15 mins of morning walk, but do have it. There is nothing wrong in Seeking help from friends, family and caregivers. Accepting help from others can reduce your worries and stress to some extent.

One needs to be healthy at heart and mind first to look after the other. It implies to all the relationships including parent and the child. For you to have healthy family ties you should take care of yourself and be a less stressed individual first.

 Learn to manage, organise the routine and take life as it comes surely it will help you to have a less stressful life as a parent.

Adaptive Clothing

Most of us know or could have come across someone who has a disability or any medical physical challenge which makes the simple tasks of daily routine challenging or difficult. There is a huge count of individuals who have limited mobility may it be temporary or permanent in nature which requires a high level of care by others. Thus, adaptive clothing forms a very essential part of this care taking.  Adaptive clothing are the dresses or outfits and footwear especially designed for the individuals with physical disabilities, bed-ridden patients, the elderly’s and so on. Basically, for those who have difficulty in dressing themselves due to incapability to use as buttons, zippers i.e. any sort of clothing closures or due to a lack of a full range of motion required for self-dressing for example individuals suffering from the spectrum of Cerebral Palsy -the quadriplegics and paraplegics. 

Adaptive clothing is not only meant to comfort the dressing process of specially abled but also to inculcate a sense of wellbeing in them. Adaptive clothing is one of the prime assisting things easing the challenges faced by the caregivers (parents, nurses etc).

Adapted clothes help the special abled or elderly patient to provide themselves with some level of self-care and comfort to access medical devices, wheel chairs etc thus making them retain their dignity. These come in varied styles and offer easy access to body parts for use of any medical appliance /device without removing the entire garment, and makes it easier to change or remove clothing.

Adaptive clothing’s come in fabrics which are soft, not abrasive to the skin and of the highest quality to withstand severe cleaning & usage.  Special attention is paid to the location of fasteners and zippers. They come in all shapes & sizes to comfortably fit to the users.

The Developmental Milestones.

Every child is unique and has his/hers’ own growth pace. The developmental journey of child is different in every case so is parenthood. The first roll over, crawl etc have their own charm and all together a different experience for parent. However, it is very necessary for a parent to make a note of all the milestones a child is attaining and when. It is very important to evaluate the gross motor development that is the physical development, speech and language, reasoning and social behaviour of a child from time to time.

As said earlier the development of every child is unique however the developmental journey has its own commonly set milestones. These are set of physical or behavioural activities that children generally show at that particular age group be it months or years.

It is important for a parent to keep a tab of these milestones because these are important markers in determining the overall development of a child from time to time. Attainment of developmental milestones in timely manner is indeed a very good indication of growth of one’s child. Any deflection or delay can be an indication of a developmental disorder in the child which might need the intervention by a specialist. Thus, Sooner the detection better it is. 

Common Vestibular Dysfunctions

There nearly 54 million people suffering from various other vestibular disorders. “1 in 5” people in the world are affected by some or the other vestibular disorders.

Few most common vestibular dysfunctions are:

1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo. A short-lived, strong episode of vertigo activated by a specific change in the position of the head. There are both severe and mild forms of BPPV, which lead to different clinical symptoms.

2. Vestibular Neuronitis/Neuritis
Vestibular Neuronitis is characterised by severe and sudden onset vertigo, which is caused by inflammation of the vestibular nerve and often accompanied with nausea and vomiting.

3. Unexplained dizziness
Sometimes it very difficult, particularly in the acute phase to determine the cause of dizziness. it is important see neurotherapeutic doctor to ensure and eliminate any serious problem if any .

4. Falls
Many factors contribute to falls in the elderly and in those with neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis. It is essential to have an assessment that screens the physiological systems that contribute to falls risk.

5. Ataxia
Poor co-ordination, tremor and reduced postural stability and balance create difficulties with many activities of daily living. There are many conditions that cause ataxia including stroke, multiple sclerosis and brain injury.

6. Migraine
Migraine is a common disorder of central sensory processing. It leads to  episodic symptoms, the most common of which is headache. However, migraine does not always cause headache, with some rare forms of migraine leading to dizziness. Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and light and noise sensitivity are common.

7. Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a rare, chronic ailment that lead to episodic attacks of dizziness, nausea and vomiting, often with slow deterioration in the ability to balance and one-side hearing loss.

8. Endolyphatic Hydrops
Endolymphatic hydrops result in episodes of dizziness, imbalance and hearing changes.

9. Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an infection within the inner ear, which causes vertigo and imbalance sensations.

10. High Level gait disorders
Many people develop problems with walking, such as intermittent difficulty in walking, reduced confidence, and slow or shuffling steps.

11. Cervical Vertigo
In some cases, problems with the neck leads to feelings of dizziness and disequilibrium.

12. Perilymph fistula :
It is leakage of inner ear fluid into the middle ear. Perilymph fistula can occur after a head injury, dramatic changes in air pressure, physical exertion, ear surgery, or chronic ear infections.

13. Mal de Debarquement syndrome:
A feeling of continuously rocking or bobbing, typically after an ocean cruise or other sea travel. Usually the symptoms go away a few hours or days after you reach land. Severe cases, however, can last months or even years, and the cause remains unknown.

14. Acoustic Neuroma :
An acoustic neuroma is a benign (non-malignant), usually slow-growing tumour that develops from the nerves of inner ear.

15. Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction:
Reduction or loss of vestibular function bilaterally results in difficulty maintaining balance, especially when walking in the dark or on uneven surfaces, and a decrease in the patient’s ability to see clearly during head movements.

16. CANVAS Syndrome :
Patients with CANVAS combine cerebellar ataxia (i.e. coordination problems -- the CA), peripheral nerve damage (neuropathy - N), and loss of vestibular function (vestibular areflexia -- the VA). This combination causes major disturbances to balance as each of these systems alone contributes to balance.

17. Concussion :
Concussion can occur under the following conditions:
The head strikes a stationary object.  Common examples include a fall where the head hits the ground or an object, or hitting the head on an object during an auto accident.
An object hits the head, such as a ball or stick during sports, or because of human collision.
A quick acceleration/deceleration of the head with no contact to any surface.  This can occur in dancers and gymnasts due to rapid movement, or during an auto accident where there appears to be no head trauma.
Trauma to the brain can result in abnormal vestibular system functioning, and the brain can receive abnormal signals regarding the position and movement of the head in space.

Cerebral Palsy & Types

Cerebral Palsy : Nearly 170 million people throughout the globe are affected by Cerebral Palsy with 25000 additional people every year according to world Cerebral Palsy Day organization Australia. Cerebral palsy is a Non curable disease caused by injuries or abnormalities of the brain at young age or low oxygen supply at any age.At present it is the most commonly occurring developmental disorder in the world. 3 to 4 children per 1000 births develop this condition by birth and many get affected in the early stages of growth.
Some important effects of cerebral palsy are Muscle tightness and spasticity, difficulty in moving or involuntary movements – This can include disturbances in gait, balance, coordination, walking, staying still, and more depending on an individual's condition and the affected areas of the brain. Mental Retardation, Learning disabilities, Breathing Difficulties – because of postural problems, feeding trouble – the muscles used for feeding may be impaired in people with cerebral palsy. This can lead to malnutrition and troubles with development and growth. There is no cure except occupational & physical therapy with supplementary medicines for this disorder.

Types of Cerebral Palsy:Cerebral palsy is categorized using two factors: the type of movement issues and the body part(s) being affected.

There are four types of cerebral palsy namely spastic, athetoid, ataxic and mixed type.
The type of movement problems seen in Cerebral Palsy Children/individuals depends on how severely a brain injury has impacted muscle tone. Muscle tone is the strength and tension of the muscles.
Terms used to describe how cerebral palsy affects muscle tone are
• Hypotonia – Low muscle tone, causing a loss of strength and firmness
• Hypertonia –  High muscle tone, causing rigidity and spasmodic movement
Different Types of Cerebral Palsy
• Spastic
• Athetoid
• Ataxic
• Mixed

Spastic Cerebral Palsy : Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type of CP, making up 70 to 80 percent of cases. People with spastic cerebral palsy often experience exaggerated or jerky movements (hypertonia).
Common signs and symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy include:
• Awkward reflexes
• Stiffness in one part of the body
• Contractures (permanently tightened muscles or joints)
• Abnormal gait

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy :  About 10 percent of children with cerebral palsy are identified with athetoid CP, or “non-spastic CP”. This type of CP is characterized by a mixture of hypotonia and hypertonia, which causes muscle tone to fluctuate. The main feature of athetoid cerebral palsy is involuntary movement in the face, upper body and limbs.
Common symptoms related with athetoid cerebral palsy are:
• Stiff or rigid body
• Floppiness in the limbs
• Problems with posture
• Issues feeding

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Ataxia is a type of CP that causes problems with balance and coordination. Ataxic cerebral palsy makes up a small percentage of all cases.
Common symptoms of ataxic cerebral palsy include:
• Difficulty speaking
• Problems with depth perception
• Shakiness and tremors
• Spreading feet apart when walking

Mixed Cerebral Palsy: When a child is showcasing symptoms of more than one type of CP, it is mixed cerebral palsy. This diagnosis makes up less than 10% of all CP cases. The most common mixed cerebral palsy diagnosis is a combination of spastic and athetoid CP

Location of Movement Problems
Monoplegia: Only one limb’s movement of the individual is affected. This type is very rare.
Diplegia: Two limbs, generally the legs, are affected. Premature birth commonly results in Diplegia.
Hemiplegia: One side of the body is affected. The arm is usually more impacted than other limbs, distinguished by a rigidly flexed wrist or elbow. Some people with hemiplegia may not be able to use the affected hand. Prenatal bleeding in the brain can cause hemiplegia.
Triplegia: Three limbs are affected.
Quadriplegia: All four limbs are involved, but the legs are affected worse than the arms. There may be limited control over facial muscles as well.
Double hemiplegia: Like quadriplegia, all four limbs are affected, but the arms are more affected than the legs.

Dizziness & Vestibular Rehabilitation

If you are suffering from dizziness, wooziness, light-headedness or unsteadiness then you are not alone. It has been estimated that 65% of individuals over the age of 60 experience dizziness or loss of balance on a regular basis, and vestibular problems account for one third patients reporting to doctors with symptoms of vertigo and dizziness.1, 2 In fact, recent research out of Johns Hopkins University suggests that as many as 35% of adults over the age of 40 in the United States (i.e., 69 million Americans) have some form of vestibular dysfunction as measured by a postural balance test.3

Dizziness can result in an inability to work, leave the house, walk, or stand. It also contributes to falls and severe injuries. Physiotherapy and vestibular rehabilitation as part of overall healthcare plan can help provide relief.

Physiotherapy for dizziness typically consists of vestibular rehabilitation. This is an exercised-based program to encourage the central nervous system to compensate for problems with the Vestibular apparatus

. 

An assessment is typically carried out first to assess sensation, gather information about pain and severity, muscle strength, range of motion, posture, balance, coordination, and general abilities. Once this assessment is complete, a fully customized exercise plan is created aiming at decreasing symptoms and improving the function.

The treatment model contains Balance/coordination activities to retrain body awareness, Eye and head movement exercises which reduce dizziness & Flexibility and/or strengthening exercises.

At home exercises & proper counselling are the integral part of the treatment programme.  

A proper treatment model promoting a healthy lifestyle can help restore a person’s balance, mobility, and coordination. With vestibular rehabilitation, a person’s dizziness can reduce or get eliminated and they can return to their normal standard of living.

References:

1Hobeika CP. Equilibrium and balance in the elderly. Ear Nose Throat J. August 1999; 78(8): 558–62, 565–6.

2Neuhauser HK, Radtke A, von Brevern M Et al. Burden of dizziness and vertigo in the community. Arch Intern Med. 2008; 168(19):2118–2124.

3Agrawal Y, Carey JP, Della Santina CC, Schubert MC, Minor LB. Disorders of balance and vestibular function in US adults. Arch Intern Med. 2009; 169(10): 938 944.

Special Needs & Nutritional Complexities

Good nutrition is critical from infants to teen to adults in order to sustain healthy growth and development. A healthy diet needs to meet the changing nutritional needs of a growing child and should prepare him/her for maintaining healthy eating habits lifelong. As Parents and/or caregiver We are obliged to inculcate healthy eating habits in children that meets their nutritional requirements and leads to proper growth as they are in a stage of continuous mental and physical development. But as children grow, they develop their own individual personality, tastes and preferences to everything around them including food. An exposure to various tastes, textures, combinations of food leads to development likes and dislikes towards certain food stuffs. Thus, making child meet their supply on nutrients is very difficult and thus requires a strict nutritional regime & discipline.

If you are a parent to special need child, then this becomes all the more difficult owing to complexities involved. For example, a child with autism spectrum disorder may have a deep negative reaction to textures, tastes or colours. Children with Down syndrome, prefer softer foods because of difficulties encountered when chewing or swallowing. Special need Children are often on prolonged medications which affects their food habits & weight gain. A child’s ability to consume is also a key factor in nutrition; Children with Cerebral Palsy often struggle, choke or worse on providing food hence absolute care is to be taken while feeding them. Issues like acid reflux or Gastroesophageal reflux disorder, Dysphagia, misaligned teeth, gum swelling, etc. can also impact a child’s nutritional plan as it dominantly affects the selection of foods. Some children can be overweight / obese due to mobility issues, reduced calorie usage or some might be underweight due to speedy metabolism, swallowing issues etc.

Overcoming the nutritional challenges in the children with Special Needs is a complex issue which needs co-joint efforts of family, pediatrician, therapist & nutritionist. It is very necessary to overcome the specific barriers children have, to help them create a healthy relationship with food & proper nutrition as nutrition & child development go hand in hand. 

Balance & Vestibular sense

Our sense of balance is determined by a complex system controls viz the vestibular sight, and other sensory sensations. the vestibular system detects our orientation to gravity and our movement through space even in the dark. The vestibular system helps us maintain our equilibrium while we walk, spin, rock, run, bend or swing. Additional vestibular system functions include assistance to control muscle tone, and language. Shifting head positions, weight, and using both sides of body leads to a better development of vestibular system.

 Kids with overactive vestibular systems prefer slow movement, avoid tasks such as climbing, jumping precisely they avoid activities that require good balance and fast movement. They are fearful of falling, going up and down and being tipped upside down. On the contrary children who have under Sensitive vestibular sense enjoy fast motions and are always in the state of motion like jumping, running and are always moving.

Intervention of the therapist is very important in these cases. They suggest activities which will help child’s brains organize and process information more efficiently and effectively by stimulating the vestibular system. This prevents them from falling, keeping body properly aligned, grounded and contribute to coordinated balance & movement.

Knowing the Vestibular System

Vestibular stimulation is the feedback/stimulus that human body receives due to any of its movement (linear & rotational) in gravity. The intensity of these stimuli range from mild e.g. nodding to severe e.g. sitting on a swing / any amusement ride.

 The vestibular sense is first to develop in the growing fetus, it develops only in 5 months in utero and is stimulated by the movement of carrying mother’s body. It is the only system that integrates sensory senses (acoustic, optic, tactile, smell) with brain activities, proprioception and muscle reflexes & tone.

 The vestibular system comprises of the two components viz. the semi-circular canals, which respond to rotational movements; and the otoliths, which are sensitive to linear accelerations. The vestibular system sends signals primarily to the neural structures that control eye movements and clarity in the vision; and to the muscles that keep us upright in position. The brain uses information from the vestibular system and from proprioception throughout the body to understand the body's dynamics and kinematics (including its position and acceleration) from moment to moment.

The activities of Vestibular Apparatus can be summarized as:

Moving ahead with Special Needs.

Being a parent is very overwhelming experience, it is a never-ending journey of joy, happiness, efforts, love and care. But, if you realize that your child is little less than normal the immediate moment you get surrounded by complex feelings shock, numbness, sadness, denial, blame, fear, confusion, rejection and grief. However, we should Keep in touch with reality and maintain a positive attitude throughout. Your love towards your child will eventually transform and heal your heart and will give you a hope for bright future and will always keep you moving.

Life teaches us at every moment to move on forward without looking backwards. And in the process of living, learning and realization are two things each and every one procures from …their own and others life well. I have been realizing that life at times seem to be too unjust to few people but I guess they are the strongest of us all as they are fighting a silent battle within themselves. Life of children and adults with special needs can be frustrating and sometimes it can be significantly important to get a little pick-me-up to keep from getting discouraged. There are many ups and downs in life and we all need some inspiration to keep us headed in the right direction.

The fact to understand here is a complex phenomenon which exhibits the interaction between features of a person’s body inadequacies/Special needs and limitations and features of the society in which he or she lives. Love, Compassion, sympathy, apathy, technological interventions and the transition between them will help us, families, society at large to create a strong supportive environment to keep us all moving ahead in life in a healthy manner.

Special Needs Education

Children with Special needs or who are differently abled require a specific way of dealing in all walks of life. Education is no different. These children find it very difficult to get accommodated in the traditional set ups & curriculum.  Hence, education modules should be so defined and designed taking into consideration such a child's needs and limitations. Thus, Special Education or special needs education is nothing but ways to the educated children whose learning needs cannot be met by a standard school curriculum. Within this stream of education, the child is involved using individually planned teaching procedures such as Special instructional methodology, techniques and materials and is monitored by a trained professional in a comfortable setting to ensure the comfort of the child. Also, adaptive equipment's and methods such as audio, visual, tactile (touch) and kin-aesthetic (by doing) may be used.

 As it is rightly said "If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn". Special needs institutions aim to promote the level of personal self-sufficiency in the lives of children to make them more successful. One such schools we are aware of is, SAARTHI School for Special Children in Mumbai. It is a Non-profit organization which provides academic, vocational, medical and psychological support to the exceptional children especially those coming from the lower socio-economic strata. SAARTHI aspires to provide integrated care to the exceptional children of all sections of society. To name a few more are ADAPT, Apang Maitree , Aseema School, Dilkhush Special School , Kshithij etc.

It has only been over the past years that special needs education has been gaining impetus in India and educational facilities provided to children with disabilities have grown gradually. These ones range from development of special schools to Inclusive education in the traditional setup. But have we given it the importance it deserves? Or Have taken the necessary steps to ensure that children with special needs are given the best education and trained on how to venture forth into the real world?

Summer Care for Children with Special Need.

India being sub-tropical country, summers are generally harsh & very humid. And almost everyone hates this and the heat makes everyone extremely uncomfortable; particularly this   time of May as heat & humidity are at its peak all around the country. Growing pollution & less greenery adds to our irritation. Adults are generally cranky throughout owing to discomfort however heat exposure is a cumbersome issue for children as their bodies are more vulnerable especially children with special needs like Cerebral Palsy wherein a child has limited mobility or is immobile.

Children with special needs often find it very difficult to communicate. Thus, keen observation about the symptoms of overheat/ temperature is needed by the guardian /parent. If you observe symptoms such as sleeplessness, excessive irritation, dryness in mouth, dull skin, dislike towards food, loose motions, vomiting, nausea, stomach aches, cramps, giddiness etc immediately consultant your pediatrician.  Over heat exposure, excessive dehydration, exhaustion can be extremely detrimental to the health of children. It may also prove fatal.

Take following precautions for enabling Children with Special needs to lead a healthy summer:

• Wear light clothing: Wear light clothes of heat friendly fabrics such as cotton so that your child feels comfortable. Full sleeves clothing will help you protect from sunburns.
• Avoid getting out from 10 am to 4 pm: Schedule the doctor’s appointment or therapy session for your child accordingly.
• Adequate Ventilation in the room: See to it that your child stays in a room where air is getting circulated properly.
• Sponge your child if he/she can’t move or give then bath before bed.
• Stay hydrated/Drink enough fluids: In summer, the body loses more water so everyone needs need to drink enough water. Avoid carbonated drinks as they make one even thirstier. The healthy choices could be coconut water, lemonade and fresh fruit juices.
•  Use Cooling mattress, cooling pillow or other helpful ‘temperature’ inserts which are made up of specific materials that promote temperature control
• Never leave your child alone in a car.

Other general summer Health Care tips such as vaccination, maintenance of hygiene, appropriate diet, use of sun screen etc.  have been shared in our earlier blog. General summer healthcare tips remain same for all and they work for all. However, a special care must be taken as the special need child can face prolonged health challenges even brain damage. 

Speech & Language Therapy.

Individuals with Cerebral Palsy & Autism especially children require intervention of Speech and language therapists (SLTs) in the course of their treatment so that they can improve their communication skills & learn to effectively communicate with others .In case of Cerebral Palsy a lot of children have difficulties with their speech .In fact Speech disorder is basically an associative condition with CP.As far as Autism is concerned Some do not speak, while others love to talk but have difficulty during conversations and/or understanding the tone & variations  of language and nonverbal indications when talking with others.

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) are health professionals who work along with parents, teachers, nurses, occupational therapists and doctors and offer treatment, support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, or talking. It also affects a child’s ability of drinking, swallowing, eating and breathing as they all conflicts with proper communication skills in case of Cerebral Palsy.Speech-language therapy is so planned and designed to manage the mechanism of speech & usage of language of & by an individual. The Therapy begins with evaluation of the individual by a speech-language pathologist. The aim is to assess his/her verbal aptitudes and challenges. The pathologist sets goals for treatment after the evaluation. In every case, the primary goal is to help the person communicate in more useful and functional ways which may include learning/mastering spoken language and/or learning nonverbal communication skills such as signs or gestures. Overall the therapy helps the Child with articulation, listening, language development, Vocabulary enhancement, comprehension of words and improvement in conversation skills

The therapy can be provided in one-on-one, in a small group or in a classroom setting. Therapists who work with children have additional specialized training. Games, songs, blocks, Legos, flashcards etc. are the part of normal therapy exercises which makes the session interactive & Child friendly. However active involvement of parents with the child at home & in completion of assignments prescribed by the therapist is equally important for the child’s development and making him/her more independent also in enabling them to lead more fulfilling life.

Signs of Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder formerly also called as Sensory Integration Dysfunction severely affects individuals’ sensory preferences in way that it interferes with their normal, everyday functioning especially Children. Sensory issues can be categorized as hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) and hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to sensory stimuli. The symptoms of sensory processing disorder exist on a vast spectrum from very mild to severe. Children with sensory processing disorders are initially fussy babies which grow anxious as they get older. Few signs/symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder are as follows:

Over sensitivity to stimulation: The Child overreacts to or does not like touch, noise, smells, etc.
 A child might get annoyed or cover his/her ears, run away or start crying in anticipation of certain sounds or while hearing them. At times A child might be on the different end of the spectrum and would prefer very loud noises and keeps the TV, radio or music loud. Some children might not like being touched

Avoid crowds/ gatherings: If your child does not like going out in places with many people around can be an indication of SPD.  Such children show unexpected sudden mood changes and temper tantrums in crowded places. They get irritated with being touched by others, noises, etc. They avoid/ dislike standing near others.

Discomfort with Clothing: The child might extremely irritable when you dress him/her; The tags, the fit of the dress, the texture of the fabric seems to make him/her uncomfortable in clothes.


Food Preferences: Children with SPD are very choosy in what they eat. The texture, taste, smell & temperature of food matters them a lot. some might prefer eating crispy food others might like soft texture foods like jellies etc.

Play Activities: Some children might be overly fearful of swings and other playground equipment’s; some might dislike his or her feet to be off the ground.  Some children might be very fidget and unable to sit still and enjoy movement-based play like spinning, jumping, etc. They Often harm other children and/or pets when playing, i.e. doesn’t understand his or her own strength. Children with tactile issues avoid touch sand while playing and even dislike walking barefooted on the grass.

Sensory processing issues are multifaceted and wide ranged phenomena’s. If a child exhibits few of the above stated symptoms does not mean that the Child is suffering from SPD. However, If you suspect that your child has SPD consult a medical expert for further evaluation, diagnosis & treatment.

Facts About Cerebral Palsy

1. What is the history of Cerebral Palsy?
William Little, a British surgeon in the 1860's first identified Cerebral Palsy then known as ‘Cerebral Paralysis’. He raised the possibility of birth asphyxia as a chief cause of the disorder. Sigmund Freud in 1897 suggested that difficult birth was not the only cause but rather only a symptom of other factors on the fetal development. Modern research has shown that 75% of cases were not due to birth asphyxia supporting Freud’s view even though through the 19th and 20th Centuries. Little’s view was the accepted explanation.

2. What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is a life long physical disability (group of conditions ) due to brain damage that are characterized by chronic disorders of movement &  postures; Cerebral Palsy is a syndrome characterized by combination of  the following conditions :
a. Motor Disorder.
b. Medical Conditions.
c. Sensory Impairments.
d. Hearing Disabilities.
e. Attention Deficits.
f. Language & Perceptual Deficits.
g. Behavioral Problems.
h. Mental Retardation.

3. What are the causes of Cerebral Palsy?
a. Poor oxygenation of brain during pregnancy & labour
b. Intrauterine viral infections
c. Birth asphyxia
d. Severe untreated jaundice, hypoglycemia
e. Premature infant with complications
f. Post-surgical vascular complications
g. Traumatic brain injury

4. What are the different types of Cerebral Palsy depending on the type of tone and movement?
a. Spastic (increased muscle tone) 60 to 70%.
b. Ataxic (balance and coordination) 10 to 15%.
c. Athetoid (involuntary, uncontrolled) 10 to 20%.
d. Mixed type.

5. Name the body parts involved in different types of Cerebral Palsy.
a. Hemiplegia (One arm & leg of the same side).
b. Diplegia (both legs were involved than arms).
c. Quadriplegia (all form extremities involved).

6. What are the other professionals Pediatrician refers to and for what evaluations?
a.  Speech Therapist.
b.      Physical Therapist.
c. Occupational Therapist.
d. Neuro-Psychologist.
e. Psychologist.
f. Special Education Teacher.

7. What is Multi-Handicapping Syndrome?
a. A child who has the following or combination of the conditions:
b. Neurological.
c. Sensory impairments (loss of vision/ hearing, etc.).
d. Growth.
e. Gastro-enterological Tract problems (feeding, i.e., no closure of mouth, swallowing could be a problem).
f. Respiratory problems (common in quadraplegia).
g. Orthopedic problems (contractures and deformities).
h. Osteoporosis due to poor nutrition, disease, no weight baring.

8. Are there any problems associated with Cerebral Palsy?
a. Seizure Disorders (fits) 33% - 50%
b. Discrepancy of Skeletal Growth
c. Deformities of hand, feet & pelvis
d. Contractures at joints
e. Mental Retardation 50% - 70%
f. Learning Disorder 60% - 70% (
g. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders/ Behavioural problems
h. Speech deficits/ shallow breath
i. Dysarthria - 50%
j. Feeding difficulties – swallowing problems, mouth closures, tongue moments.
k. Sleep disturbances.
l. Auditory Impairments 25% to 40%
m. Visual Impairments 40% to 50%
n. Tactile defensiveness, hyper sensitivity to touch
o. Sensory Motor Difficulties

9. Can Cerebral Palsy be cured?
No; there is no known cure for CP, but treatment can improve the lives of those who have the      condition. It is important to begin a treatment program as early as possible.

10. What are the Psycho Social Intervention needed from the child if diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy?
a. Identify strengths and need of the family and child.
b. Community Services available in the locality.
c. Recreational Services available in the locality.
d. Financial status of the family and if support is required.
e. Respite care facilities available.
f. Parent Support groups.
g. Counselling Centre in the locality.

11. What are the needs of person with Cerebral Palsy who turn into an adult?
a. Maintenance Therapy (by care giver).
b. Receiving arrangements (disabled friendly).
c. Self-advocacy & Employment (self-help and advocacy).

Growing Technology & Special Needs

After the diagnosis of the child for a given pathological condition say learning disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, autism or any other developmental disorder, every parent has a different way of dealing with the agony. We can precisely say that the overall trial and the journey of dealing with it is of a different kind for each parent. Seeing beyond their own daily frustrations, pain, sentiments they should always be their Child’s biggest supporter and friend. Generally, Parents always have to look at the wider picture of what their child is doing. Having a special need child, the process becomes more mandate.

The growing technology promises us with a wide range of tools, applications, gadgets to help children (cognitive issues to physical impairments) experience greater successes by allowing them to use their abilities to overcome their disabilities. Today technology can add a new dimension in your child’s life making him/her experience success in learning, recreation and work as it can be customised to your child’s needs and abilities.

Technology can compensate for your child’s deficits (skills, verbal or physical impairments) and make him/ her more self-reliant and independent. 

Speech-recognition programs, Speech synthesizers, screen readers, electronic dictionaries etc. have added a new dimension to the conventional communication & learning methods. Improvements like Tobii Technology have opened doors of communication for nonverbal children or adults. Eye tracking technology uses the iris of the user to give commands to a computer that in turn speaks for the user. This technology offers a voice to people that earlier had little way to express his or her thoughts. Eye tracking can also be used to create actions, such as the one can operate a wheelchair without the use of limbs.

The vastness & universality of internet allows people to connect over distances, explore new places, know and learn different things; It allows to them to see videos of places, animals, to listen to music; it fascinates children and gives their imagination wings in a controlled atmosphere. It enriches their recreational aspect of their lives.

A variety of assistive devices are available in the market right from mobility devices likes wheelchairs & crawlers, bathing equipment’s, stool tables which all aim at making life easier. Robotics now is also heading towards adding a new dimension to easy mobility in coming years.

Technology, for special need is making life more adaptable and easier by allowing children and adults to use and improve their functional capabilities and lead a more content and independent life. It is adding a new dimension in the lives of individuals with special needs.  It is thus creating means for parents to deal with their child with Special need.

Developmental Milestones of a child

Children require keen observation while growing up. Signs of developmental issues/ delays may not be visible at birth but might show up in the early ages of your child’s growth. Recognizing the delays at earliest will help your child to get proper medical intervention, help and care which will help your child lead a better and more fulfilling life later. Delay in the treatment may limit your child’s recovery. It holds true in the case of Cerebral Palsy also.  

Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy include impairment of muscle tone, gross and fine motor functions, balance, control, coordination, reflexes and posture.  oral motor dysfunction like swallowing & other feeding difficulties, speech impairment and poor facial muscle tone are also few of them. Other conditions that often occur in children with Cerebral Palsy are sensory impairment, seizures, and learning disabilities.

How the child crawls, sits, speaks, learns, interacts, moves and plays are key insights on how they are doing in their development. Parents may notice that their child is not developing at the same rate that other children of the same /similar age are. Is your child reaching the milestones on time? is the most important question that needs to be addressed by the parents. Developmental delay occurs when a child has not reached or developed a certain ability at the correct time on the normal developmental time scale.

Talk to paediatrician about developmental milestones if you observe any and the correct timeline for each one to occur. Every child is different and nobody is perfect, but the below list of developmental milestones will help you to consider if your child is on the right track or if something is wrong.

The First Month:	·         Can lift head briefly ·         Turns head from side to side when lying on back ·         Hands stay clenched ·         Strong grasp reflex present ·         Looks and follows object moving in front of them in range of 45 degrees ·         Sees black and white patterns ·         Quiets when a voice is heard ·         Cries to express displeasure ·         Makes throaty sounds ·         Looks intently at parents when they talk to him/her
The Second Month:	·         Lifts head almost 45 degrees when lying on stomach ·         Head bobs forward when held in sitting position ·         Grasp reflex decreases ·         Follows dangling objects with eyes ·         Visually searches for sounds ·         Makes noises other than crying ·         Cries become distinctive (wet, hungry, etc.) ·         Vocalizes to familiar voices ·         Social smile demonstrated in response to various stimuli
The Third Month:	·         Begins to bear partial weight on both legs when held in a standing position ·         Able to hold head up when sitting but still bobs forward ·         When lying on stomach can raise head and shoulders between 45 and 90 degrees ·         Bears weight on forearms ·         Grasp reflex absent ·         Holds objects but does not reach for them ·         Clutches own hands and pulls at blankets and clothes ·         Follows objects 180 degrees ·         Locates sound by turning head and looking in the same direction ·         Squeals, coos, babbles, and chuckles ·         “Talks” when spoken to ·         Recognizes faces, voices, and objects ·         Smiles when he/she sees familiar people, and engages in play with them ·         Shows awareness to strange situations
The Fourth Month:	·         Drooling begins ·         Good head control ·         Sits with support ·         Bears some weight on legs when held upright ·         Raises head and chest off surface to a 90-degree angle ·         Rolls from back to side ·         Explores and plays with hands ·         Tries to reach for objects but overshoots ·         Grasps objects with both hands ·         Eye-hand coordination begins ·         Makes consonant sounds ·         Laughs ·         Enjoys being rocked, bounced or swung
The Fifth Month:	·         Signs of teething begin ·         Holds head up when sitting ·         Rolls from stomach to back ·         When lying on back puts feet to mouth ·         Voluntarily grasps and holds objects ·         Plays with toes ·         Takes objects directly to mouth ·         Watches objects that are dropped ·         Says “ah-goo” or similar vowel-consonant combinations ·         Smiles at mirror image ·         Gets upset if you take a toy away ·         Can tell family and strangers apart ·         Begins to discover parts of his/her body
The Sixth Month:	·         Chewing and biting occur ·         When on stomach, can lift chest and part of stomach off the surface, bearing weight on hands ·         Lifts head when pulled to a sitting position ·         Rolls from back to stomach ·         Bears majority of weight when being held in a standing position ·         Grasps and controls small objects ·         Holds bottle ·         Grabs feet and pulls to mouth ·         Adjusts body to see an object ·         Turns head from side to side and then looks up or down ·         Prefers more complex visual stimuli ·         Says one syllable sounds like “ma”, “mu”, “da”, and “di” ·         Recognizes parents
The Seventh Month:	·         Sits without support, may lean forward on both hands ·         Bears full weight on feet ·         Bounces when held in standing position ·         Bears weight on one hand when lying on stomach ·         Transfers objects from one hand to another ·         Bangs objects on surfaces ·         Able to fixate on small objects ·         Responds to name ·         Awareness of depth and space begin ·         Has taste preferences ·         “Talks” when others are talking
The Eight Month:	·         Sits well without support ·         Bears weight on legs and may stand holding on to furniture ·         Adjusts posture to reach an object ·         Picks up objects using index, fourth, and fifth finger against thumb ·         Able to release objects ·         Pulls string to obtain object ·         Reaches for toys that are out of reach ·         Listens selectively to familiar words ·         Begins combining syllables like “mama” and “dada” but does not attach a meaning ·         Understands the word no (but does not always obey it)! ·         Dislikes having diaper changed and being dressed
The Ninth Month:	·         Begins crawling ·         Pulls up to standing position from sitting ·         Sits for a prolonged time (10minutes) ·         May develop a preference for use of one hand ·         Uses thumb and index finger to pick up objects ·         Responds to simple verbal commands ·         Comprehends the word “no” ·         Increased interest in pleasing parents ·         Puts arms in front of face to avoid having it washed
The Tenth Month:	·         Goes from stomach to sitting position ·         Sits by falling down ·         Recovers balance easily while sitting ·         Lifts one foot to take a step while standing ·         Comprehends “bye-bye” ·         Says “dada” or “mama” with meaning ·         Says one other word beside “mama” and “dada” (hi, bye, no, go) ·         Waves bye ·         Object permanence begins to develop ·         Repeats actions that attract attention ·         Plays interactive games such a “pat-a-cake” ·         Enjoys being read to and follows pictures in books
The Eleventh Month:	·         Walks holding on to furniture or other objects ·         Places one object after another into a container ·         Reaches back to pick up an object when sitting ·         Explores objects more thoroughly ·         Able to manipulate objects out of tight fitting spaces ·         Rolls a ball when asked ·         Becomes excited when a task is mastered ·         Acts frustrated when restricted ·         Shakes head for “no”
The Twelfth Month:	·         Walks with one hand held ·         May stand alone and attempt first steps alone ·         Sits down from standing position without help ·         Attempts to build two block tower but may fail ·         Turns pages in a book ·         Follows rapidly moving objects ·         Says three or more words other than “mama” or “dada” ·         Comprehends the meaning of several words ·         Repeats the same words over & over again ·         Imitates sounds, such as the sounds dogs and cats make ·         Recognizes objects by name ·         Understands simple verbal commands ·         Shows affection ·         Shows independence in familiar surrounding ·         Clings to parents in strange situation ·         Searches for object where it was last seen

Reference for the developmental milestones: americanpregnancy.org/first-year-of-life/first-year-development/