Mysuru: “We can easily recognise severe developmental delay among new born babies that amounts to 10 percent but minor developmental delays like learning disability, behavioral problem and other academic activities are difficult to detect early. So sometimes learning disabilities and speech language disorders need to be identified at preschool level,” said Dr. Rajendra Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute.
Speaking during a national workshop on “Recent trends in assessment and management of speech sound disorders” organised by the Department of Clinical Services, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing at its premise here on Monday, January 28, he said, “The primary health care providers like paediatricians and other doctors who are working in public health centres and other taluk hospitals and even paramedical workers should know these conditions which lead to developmental delay. There is no doubt that when compared to three or four decades we are advanced in Perinatal and Neonatal care of newborn babies due to which the mortality rate has drastically come down but at the same time children with disability are increasing.”
On the occasion, he also briefed about various facilities including high risk baby clinic, child guidance clinic which is set up to recognise disabilities at the earliest among children and RBSK facility which are available at K R Hospital.
Dr. M Pushpavathi, Director, AIISH who also spoke on the occasion called upon the participants to make use of the workshop and be updated regarding the latest facilities including various therapies which are available for the welfare of the disabled children. She also called upon the participants to think about low cost techniques. She was also very much impressed with the practice of documentation in the department. N Sreedevi, Head of the Department of Clinical Services, was also present.
The workshop was attended by more than 100 participants from various institutions across the country and also students and staff of AIISH. They were educated on comprehensive evaluations and speech therapy strategies for speech sound disorders with emphasis on evidence based techniques and recent developments in the area.
