As mentioned earlier our daughter who has Atypical Autism used to attend a so called Autism Center here in Pune. She was there for just under two years and we were very upset in the end for not seeing any improvement in her behavior.
Not only did she not show any signs of improvement but on the contrary her demeanor was getting more erratic. Her sleep patterns were all over the place. In the close to 2 years that she went to this center she must have had only about 10 to 15 good days. We would define a good day as a day when she went for the full day and left for home happy by the end.
This showed that the routine at the center was not consistent. Sporadic therapy sessions with long gaps in between can be hell for any autistic child which as parents you would be well aware of. Also, to complicate matters because she did not seem to settle there we were asked to put her on this medication. We went ahead with this medicine as we trusted the people that ran this center. Why wouldn't we as they were an "Autism Center" after all. But this was a big mistake. We should have instead immediately consulted a psychiatrist before starting any intake of medicine. Like they say hind sight is always 20x20.
Strangely in two years or so we never met any psychiatrist through the center. Neither did our daughter. An autism center without a psychiatrist is like an operating theater without a surgeon - useless. Also, the teachers are paid poorly and many left as soon as they got better jobs.
To cut a long story short we decided that going to the center was harming our daughter more than doing her any good that is when we decided to take her out.
Finally we had seen the light and taken the right decision, because later on meeting many of the different ex-teachers/therapists that had worked at the center while our daughter went there we have heard of many other horror stories too. We have also sadly found out that our daughter used to be left locked in a room when she cried incessantly. As parents we are disgusted.
Many people have also mentioned that they (the center) are doing the best they can do and their intentions are good. At this point please be reminded that "good intentions" alone cannot be the basis of something as serious as a Center of Autistic Children. Either they should do their job ethically or not do it at all.
The lives of very special children are at stake.
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3 comments:
Thanks for providing the the information about the autism centers in pune. I will be more than happy if you guide me to find out the good theropist in pune. My son is identified as a mild to modrate autism. Earlier i was planning to start his therapy in pune but after reading your blog i am confuesed. could you pls guide me whom should i contact for proper theriopy treatment.
Hello Niraj,
Thanks for your comment. Sadly we have nt yet identified any capable therapists in Pune. Please visit http://www.enablemychild.org/ for more info.
Hi,
Have you found any good center in pune. and can you please specify which center you mentioned in Blog(you can mail me)
Regards,
Sumeet
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