Chennai:Subramanian
(name changed) and his wife heaved a sigh of relief seeing their
eight-year-old twins sleep without sleeping pills. It’s been six
months now that the couple moved to Chennai from Sydney to take care
of the sons who are now under the care of Dr N.P. Karthikeyan, an ENT
surgeon and director of DOAST (Doctrine Oriented Art of SymbioticTreatment), an integrated therapy centre for autism, Anna Nagar
West.
“When
our sons were one year old, we found some difference and only after
1.5 years we came to know that they were suffering from autism,”
said Subramanian, who left his hospital supervisor job to bring the
kids to Chennai.
Subramanian
came to know about Dr Karthikeyan and his treatment through a doctor
in Sydney. “We don’t know how long it will take, but we hope to
see changes in our kids,” said Subramanian’s wife.
It was more than a decade of research by Dr Karthikeyan that led to the formation of DOAST integrated therapy, which is medicines and techniques derived from traditional Indian medical systems that help autistic children in a big way. By 2001, study materials were ready and he started DOAST that has now treated 32 children in different stages of autism.
“At
present, there are 17 children who undergo the treatment that is a
combination of siddha, yoga and ayurveda,” explains the director of
DOAST. Understanding the western medical science of autism, he uses
and applies Indian medical science to treat the children.
“According
to US data, one in 116 children is diagnosed with autism. More boys
are affected, as the ratio of girls to boys is 1:3. Parents undergo
tremendous pressure, as they do not know where to go. From
paediatrician, neurologist and ENT specialist everyone passes the
buck. There are multiple treatment options and there is confusion
among the parents,” said Dr Karthikeyan, adding the disorder is not
curable, but treatable.
Autistic
children can led an independent or semi-independent lives at least by
the age of 18, he informs.
Apart
from prescribing modification in diets, autistic children are taught
yoga and the combination of ayurveda and siddha makes all the
difference. “Once autistic children come here, in eight weeks, we
see meaningful differences.
“Their
sleep becomes better and eye contact also improves. Though there’s
an Indian version of childhood autism rating scale, it has not been
practised widely. We need uniform and standardised assessment
scales,” says Dr Karthikeyan.
For
more details, visit:www.autism-ent-specialist-chennai.com
