Kochi: Ayurveda to aid special needs' children

Kochi: A Kochi-based Ayurveda doctor has developed a special early intervention programme for life skill development of children with special needs. The programme customized for individual needs, including yoga, brain balancing exercise, sensory diet, music therapy and other sensory integration therapies are based on the scientific research conducted at the Department of Kaumarabhritya, Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala. The treatment is effective for children with hyperactivity, learning disability, autism and cerebral palsy, claims Dr. Reshmi Pramod, who developed the treatment programme.

“With the increase in the number of children with autism and similar disabilities, there is a need for an integrated approach to equip such children to lead a normal life and be part of inclusive education,” said Dr. Reshmi.

“This is the reason why we have formulated a special programme combining Ayurveda, speech therapy and physiotherapy which will help children in developing their cognitive levels, functional skills and fine motor activities.”

According to the American National Health Statistics report, 1 in 45 children, in the age group of 3 to 17, have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders while it was 1 in 68 earlier. In India, the number is 1 in 66 children with a total of 10 million children being affected with autism.

The programme is designed as a 10-month course module and designed with a scientific approach with one to one attention. The course will be conducted as a pre-play school from 10 am to 12.30 pm at Jeevaneeyam, the Ayurveda centre run by Dr. Reshmi. Children with a mental age of 3 to 7 years can attend the course. “Ayurveda treatments and medicines prepared using plants like Brahmi are neuro-tonics which help in neuron development.” The centre also provides parental training programmes and yoga relaxation techniques to ease the stress of parenting special kids.