Blog

  • What is Autism

    Autism Spectrum Condition

    Early Signs and Recognition

    Autism Spectrum Condition affects 1 in 100 people in India. Early signs in children include:

    • Not responding to their name or when spoken to
    • Avoiding eye contact or not turning to look at you
    • Getting upset at loud sounds
    • Having very specific likes/dislikes for toys, foods, or activities
    • Showing repetitive behaviors (hand flapping, finger flicking, spinning)
    • Preference for repetitive activities (lining up objects, spinning toys)

    Understanding Autism

    Key principle: Autism is not a disease requiring a cure, but a neurodevelopmental condition requiring support. The focus should be on supporting the child’s development, not fixing them.

    Diversity in presentation: No two autistic children are the same. Autism can manifest as:

    • Non-speaking children who avoid eye contact and show no interest in play
    • Children who know alphabets, solve puzzles, but cannot hold conversations or play appropriately with peers
    • Varying intelligence levels – from very smart to having learning challenges

    Strengths and Abilities

    Many autistic children demonstrate remarkable strengths:

    • Exceptional memory for places and experiences
    • Strong sense of order and organization
    • Excellent recall of visual or auditory information
    • Early reading abilities
    • Superior memory for numbers, colors, concepts, and complex names

    Co-occurring Conditions

    Autistic children may also have:

    • Epilepsy or seizures
    • Hearing difficulties
    • Learning challenges
    • Attention difficulties or hyperactivity
    • Anxiety issues

    Support and Intervention

    Parent involvement is crucial – caregivers must learn strategies to support their child’s development in communication, interaction, and play during everyday home routines.

    Professional team may include:

    • Developmental pediatrician: Creates individualized plans and monitors progress
    • Autism intervention specialist: Supports communication, social interaction, and behaviors
    • Speech therapist: Works on speech, language, chewing, and swallowing
    • Occupational therapist: Helps with attention, sitting, alertness to environment
    • Psychologist: Addresses behaviors, social skills, anxiety, and bullying
    • Special educator: Teaches academic concepts and reading skills
    • Psychiatrist: Manages medications for anxiety or sleep issues
    • Child neurologist: Treats associated neurological conditions
    • Counselor/Mental health specialist: Supports the entire family

    Core Message

    The emphasis is on celebrating neurodiversity – recognizing that people think and act differently, and that our differences are our strengths. We shouldn’t aim to make everyone uniform. With the right support, every autistic person can have a fulfilling and meaningful life. Parents know their children best and play a vital role in their development journey.

    Source Ummeed.org

  • What is ADHD

    Core Symptoms and Diagnosis

    ADHD is characterized by three hallmark symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While all children display these behaviors occasionally, ADHD is diagnosed when symptoms significantly affect life in two or more settings (home, school, playground) and persist before age 12. Diagnosis typically occurs after age 6, as younger children naturally exhibit these behaviors.

    How Symptoms Manifest

    Inattention appears as difficulty listening, following instructions, completing schoolwork, and organizing tasks. Children may struggle with getting ready for school or outings. Paradoxically, they can also experience “hyperfocus” – becoming so absorbed in activities that shifting attention becomes impossible.

    Hyperactivity presents as restlessness, fidgeting, inability to sit still, and difficulty staying quiet when required.

    Impulsivity shows up as difficulty waiting turns, interrupting others, and speaking out of turn, which often creates social challenges with peers.

    Important Understanding

    Children with ADHD have differently wired brains – they cannot control symptoms through effort alone. They are neither lazy nor deliberately difficult; they’re having a hard time. ADHD tends to run in families and can persist into adulthood. Many adults discover their own ADHD when their children are diagnosed.

    Impact on Daily Life

    School: ADHD makes academics challenging due to difficulties with attention, organization, planning, and task completion. Many children also have learning disabilities like dyslexia.

    Social: Impulsive behaviors and difficulty waiting turns can strain friendships and peer relationships.

    Home: Challenges with chores and organization can create family tension.

    Positive perspective: Many older children and adults view ADHD as bringing energy, passion, and deep focus to their interests.

    Getting Help and Treatment

    Diagnosis is clinical – no blood tests or MRIs can diagnose ADHD. Professionals rely on observations from parents, teachers, and the child through questionnaires and assessments.

    Treatment Team typically includes:

    • Lead professional (developmental pediatrician or child psychiatrist) for medication management
    • Special educators and psychologists for learning assessments
    • Counselors for emotional management and coping strategies
    • Social workers for disability certificates and school accommodations

    Medication aims to improve attention and reduce hyperactivity/impulsivity, with regular monitoring of health markers (heart rate, blood pressure, growth).

    Holistic Support involves:

    • Understanding the child’s strengths and challenges
    • Community support from teachers and friends
    • Family education and involvement
    • Teaching daily living skills and coping strategies

    Key Takeaway

    With proper understanding, support, and management, children with ADHD can learn effectively, build friendships, maintain healthy family relationships, and grow into happy, successful adults. The emphasis should be on recognizing ADHD as a neurological difference requiring support, not a character flaw or behavioral choice.

    Source: Ummeed.org

  • My failed Apps

    Here are some of my failed Android Apps that is all removed or suspended by Google

    Back in 2012 and 2013 Android App development or Android as a mobile ecosystem is just building up. At that point of time I was very much interested in Mobile app development. And I have created many apps but all never picked up or most of them are kind of test.

    Now the mobile application development has changed a lot. Now is 2025 which almost 12 years + fast-forward Android application development has evolved a lot. Now that Kotlin has taken over as the most preferred android application development programming language.