Strengthening communication and awareness about autism and social work

According to the Law on Persons with Disabilities in Vietnam, there are currently 6 types of disabilities classified, which are: motor disabilities; hearing and speech disabilities; visual disabilities; neurological and mental disabilities; intellectual disabilities; other disabilities. According to the Circular guiding the implementation of the Law on Persons with Disabilities of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (January 2019), autism is classified as another type of disability.

According to the latest research by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that 1 in 100 children worldwide have autism spectrum disorder. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs communication skills, speech, and social development; in addition, children also have other accompanying disorders such as sleep and digestive disorders. However, this type of disability is not included in the Law on Persons with Disabilities, leading to developmental disorders, including autism, seemingly being overlooked.

Many years ago, most families in Lao Cai province did not understand anything about autism. Currently, most parents know that children who do not develop normally and have symptoms of disabilities are considered to have autism. This is because in recent years, communication activities in our country have been strengthened to raise awareness of people with autism spectrum disorders, while promoting research to find new methods to improve the health and integration of people with this syndrome.

Screening for children with disabilities (autism) at Muong Khuong District Medical Center.

In fact, the media plays a very important role in raising awareness of autism spectrum syndrome and early, comprehensive care and intervention for autistic children. Promoting extensive communication to each family will help relatives of autistic children to be aware of the need for early intervention, bringing autistic children to treatment as soon as possible, thereby helping children to progress early and quickly integrate into the community.

According to the doctor of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics (Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital), early intervention for autistic children is very important, because it is the first step and the quality determines the future of autistic people. Early intervention is ideally done as soon as autism spectrum disorder is detected, that is, around 2 - 3 years old or earlier, but if the child is older but has not achieved the necessary progress and basic integration skills, the contents of the early intervention program must be implemented. If the early intervention process is not done well, the child may miss time and opportunities to progress. The next steps such as going to integrated school, career guidance, employment, and independent living will be extremely difficult.

According to preliminary statistics from the functional sector, in 2024, the Department of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics (Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital) received and treated more than 2,300 children, including more than 1,700 children with autism and more than 1,500 children with delayed speech and language disorders. Of these, about 80% of the cases being treated live in urban areas. The main causes of autism are nervous system disorders, genetic mutations, chromosomal disorders... affecting brain activity. In addition, the living environment and child education methods are also among the factors that make autism more serious, including the reason that parents do not really care about their children, letting children come into contact with technology from an early age...

Doctor Trinh Thi Nga, Department of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics (Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital) recommends that families need to pay more attention to their children, pay attention to their symptoms to detect this disease early and take them to doctors, psychologists... for proper treatment. Through therapy to control and reduce symptoms, help children improve their functions.

Director of Lao Cai Province Social Work Center Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ha said that in recent years, the Center has promoted communication, raised awareness about care, support and rehabilitation for autistic children in the community; built, tested and completed a model for early detection and intervention for autistic children at the unit.

In addition, the Mental Health Unit of Lao Cai Provincial Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital (in operation since the end of 2021) is currently examining and treating many children in the province with autism spectrum disorders and language development disorders (slow speech, lisping, etc.). With a team of highly specialized and experienced doctors and a system of language intervention rooms and therapy activities, this is a place where many families with children with autism place their trust.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/tang-cuong-truyen-thong-nhan-thuc-dung-ve-tre-tu-ky-va-cong-tac-xa-hoi-post399629.html