Child Guidance Clinic Research Articles

Sensory Reactivity Through the Lived Experiences of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Exploratory Phenomenological Qualitative Study

Background: The current sensory assessment measures for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have issues related to cultural and clinical applicability, which makes them difficult to apply in the Indian context consistently. The current study aimed to explore locally relevant themes for sensory reactivity in children with ASD. Methods: This exploratory phenomenological qualitative study was carried out on 15 parents of children with ASD visiting the child guidance clinic. An in-depth interview (IDI) guide was prepared on the conceptual framework based on Dunn, as well as, Miller’s models, which was then further refined based upon the inputs from the experts (psychiatrists, child psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists) working with children with ASD. IDIs were conducted with parents of children with ASD. The data was recorded in audio and video format. It was transcribed and translated from Hindi to English. Coding was done manually, and themes were extracted. Results: The findings identified four superordinate themes: sensory hyperreactivity, sensory hyporeactivity, sensory seeking, and socio-emotional response. Conclusion: The lived experience of parents aids in identifying and describing dimensions of sensory reactivity in children with ASD. It will help further in developing a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of sensory reactivity in children with ASD.

Epidemiological predictors of quality of life and the role of early markers in children with cerebral palsy: A multi-centric cross-sectional study

BackgroundMore than 100 million children in the world have at least one type of disability. Among disabled children, approximately 25% of chronic disabilities are of neurological origin. Cerebral Palsy is the leading cause of chronic disability in children, making them not only physically and mentally handicapped but also socially aloof. MethodsThis study was conducted among 200 eligible participants from three centers with Child Guidance or Cerebral Palsy clinics in the outpatient department. All the participants were included in the analysis of the epidemiological profile and the role of early markers. Of these, 70 participants were assessed for quality of life according to the age criteria of a pre-tested Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life questionnaire (CP-QOL). ResultsMean ± S.D. age in years was 3.7 ± 2.8. Birth history included 182 (39%) neonatal etiopathology, followed by 173 (38%) perinatal, and 106 (23%) antenatal causes. Mean ± S.D. birth weight was 2.3 ± 1.2 kg. The positive predictors of various domains of Quality of Life were an absence of any associated sensory, neurological, communication, or psychological disorder or disability. While, the negative predictors were decreasing functional capacity, involvement of number of limbs in increasing order, high therapeutic requirements, and dependency. ConclusionThe association between early diagnosis of cerebral palsy and improved functional capacity, involvement of a lesser number of limbs, better quality of life, and absence of associated disabilities is established from the findings of our study.

Evaluation of the Impact of Screen Time and Parental Play on Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in Comparison with Normal Children

Background: There is a decremental trend seen in parental play in recent times, and there is a mounting trend in screen exposure in children. This changing trend in parental play and screen time exposure may affect child social and communication domains.Objective: To assess the impact of screen time and parental play in children with autism spectrum disorder.Methodology: This is a comparative cross sectional study with a sample of 60 children. Thirty children of age group 2-6 years diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as per DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) attending child guidance Clinic, Government Hospital for Mental care were included in the study.The Parental Play Questionnaire assessed parental play in children. The Digital Screen Exposure Questionnaire(DSEQ) evaluated child screen time exposure. The severity of ASD was assessed by using the CARS scale.Results: Out of thirty samples with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 60% of children had moderate ASD, while 20% accounted for mild and severe ASD. Nearly 53.3% of ASD children had a frequency of watching smartphones more than 5 times a week with an average duration of more than 2 hours a day. In contrast, in normal children, only 6.7% have such frequency and an average time of watching smartphones less than 1 hour, significant with a p-value of <0.001. Among the ASD group, 80% of children had active physical parent-child play frequency of less than twice a week. In normal children, about 60% had a frequency of parent-child play several times daily.(p-value <0.001). About 66.7% of ASD children never had to pretend play, and 30% had pretend play once a week.Conclusion: The result showed significantly higher screen time exposure and lack of parental play in childrenwith ASD than in normal children. The need of this digital era is mounting concern about reducing screen time exposure and increasing parental play in childhood.

A Study on Psychiatric Social Worker and Child Guidance Clinic

This study delves into the role of psychiatric social workers in treating children facing social, mental, and environmental challenges, commonly addressed in child guidance. These professionals are trained to address a diverse array of issues stemming from children's various backgrounds. The study explores the expansive scope of responsibilities within child guidance, spanning mental hospitals and local health sectors. In India, numerous child guidance clinics cater to children's mental health needs, where psychiatric social workers engage in both theoretical and clinical practices. This research-based paper investigates the problem-solving approaches of psychiatric social workers in hospital settings concerning children's behavioral and mental health issues, which often pose challenges for parents, families, and society

Australian child and adolescent mental health services

We aim to describe the Australian child and adolescent mental health system, which has its historical origins in the child guidance clinic, with recent efforts at modernisation to meet community needs and major policy innovations, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and expansion of digital/telehealth services. Shared funding/responsibility across commonwealth and state/territory governments has resulted in country-wide variations, allowing innovation but also introducing fragmentation and duplication. The increase in demand outstripping supply (which was exacerbated by workforce shortages resulting from the pandemic), the lack of robust evaluation, and poor service integration (which make navigation difficult for families) are ongoing challenges.

Systems thinking: fostering collaboration and connections to strengthen the field. A conversation with Umberta Telfener

AbstractUmberta Telfener is a highly respected figure known for her diverse contributions to various facets of family and systemic therapy. Her leadership style has earned her a reputation as somewhat of a ‘cultural anthropologist,’ reflecting her aptitude for creating connections, establishing relationships, and developing partnerships. Her unique ‘Umberta style’ is known for boundless energy, active leadership, and fierce commitment to challenging the status quo. Despite being in office for just a year at the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA), Umberta has conceived and developed numerous projects, establishing networks with practitioners, and systemic thinkers across the world. Rooted in classical philosophical training, her pursuit aligns with the systematic study of fundamental questions about existence, reason, knowledge, value, mind, and language. Umberta's role reminds one of a ‘Chasqui,’ a Quechua term for a ‘messenger,’ which aptly describes her agile networking skills. She actively communicates and shares vital messages, supporting the international community of systemic practitioners. This paper is based on an in‐person conversation held in July 2023 at Umberta's country home in Tuscany. Our discussion delves into her extensive professional experience, from training at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, being mentored by Boscolo and Cecchin in Milan, to her leadership role as the current EFTA president. Umberta reflects on early pioneers who influenced her thinking and her impactful work with systems.

Aus Klinik und Praxis / From Clinic and Practice. Die Erweiterung der psychotherapeutischen Perspektive durch bifokale Young Child Observation. Methodisches und Kasuistisches zur Konzeption der Vienna Parent-Toddler Group Study

Expanding the Psychotherapeutic PerspectiveThrough Bifocal Young Child Observation. Methodological and Case-Related Considerations on the Design of the Vienna Parent-Toddler Group Study The parent-toddler group concept was developed at the Anna Freud Centre in London. Since 2021 it has also been used at the Child Guidance Clinic in Vienna.The Vienna Parent-Toddler Group (PTG) study investigates the significance of participation in such a therapeutic group for changes in children's relational experiences and developmental problems in their families. Among other research tools, the bifocal use of Young Child Observation according to the Tavistock concept is used:The children are observed as continuously as possible in their interactions and relations both in the group and at home.The article first describes the background and the design of the research project. Subsequently, with reference to accounts from the observation of a child with eating problems, it is shown in which respect this observation design provides a deeper understanding of the eating problem. Finally, the arguments for and against an early exchange of considerations between the observers and the psychotherapists are discussed.

Harvey Warren Zorbaugh (1896-1965)

Harvey Warren Zorbaugh was born in East Cleveland, Ohio (US) on September 20, 1896. He received a BA degree from Vanderbilt University and a PhD in sociology from the University of Chicago. Starting in the mid-1920s, sociologists directed or were centrally involved in clinics in several US cities. In Chicago, Zorbaugh was one of the directors of the Lower North Child Guidance Clinic.

A mixed-methods study of Indian mothers assessing the effect of the lockdown on the understanding of ADHD in their child and the burden experienced.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed developmental disorders and is common among referrals to child guidance clinics. This study aimed to study the impact of the lockdown during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mother's understanding of ADHD and the burden faced by her. A mixed-methods design with a combination of a qualitative and quantitative approach was adopted. An in-depth in-person semi-structured interview with the participant's mother was conducted. The qualitative and quantitative part of the study consisted of burden assessment by the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. The responses were transcribed, and themes were identified. As far as understanding the disorder was concerned, the major themes identified were "Knew about the child's problems from teachers but online schooling made me see the child's issues in person" and "Knew about the illness but more time led to bonding and understanding the child." When questioned about the burden faced, the major themes that evolved were "Increased exhaustion taking care of a child 24/7" and "Increased burden as one felt angry and irritated with the child, the school, and the family." The Zarit caregiver questionnaire revealed a statistically significant difference in the burden of care before and after the pandemic, with a greater number of mothers falling in the mild to moderate and severe categories of burden. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the caregiver burden for mothers of children with ADHD. Their understanding of their child's disorder increased significantly as they could spend more time and devise different ways and means of helping their child in academics and other areas.

Deep neural network technique for automated detection of ADHD and CD using ECG signal

Background and objectiveAttention Deficit Hyperactivity problem (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopment problem in children and adolescents that can lead to long-term challenges in life outcomes if left untreated. Also, ADHD is frequently associated with Conduct Disorder (CD), and multiple research have found similarities in clinical signs and behavioral symptoms between both diseases, making differentiation between ADHD, ADHD comorbid with CD (ADHD+CD), and CD a subjective diagnosis. Therefore, the goal of this pilot study is to create the first explainable deep learning (DL) model for objective ECG-based ADHD/CD diagnosis as having an objective biomarker may improve diagnostic accuracy. MethodsThe dataset used in this study consist of ECG data collected from 45 ADHD, 62 ADHD+CD, and 16 CD patients at the Child Guidance Clinic in Singapore. The ECG data were segmented into 2 s epochs and directly used to train our 1-dimensional (1D) convolutional neural network (CNN) model. ResultsThe proposed model yielded 96.04% classification accuracy, 96.26% precision, 95.99% sensitivity, and 96.11% F1-score. The Gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) function was also used to highlight the important ECG characteristics at specific time points that most impact the classification score. ConclusionIn addition to achieving model performance results with our suggested DL method, Grad-CAM's implementation also offers vital temporal data that clinicians and other mental healthcare professionals can use to make wise medical judgments. We hope that by conducting this pilot study, we will be able to encourage larger-scale research with a larger biosignal dataset. Hence allowing biosignal-based computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) tools to be implemented in healthcare and ambulatory settings, as ECG can be easily obtained via wearable devices such as smartwatches.

SCREENING THE TODDLERS BORN PRETERM FOR RISK OF NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DELAY

The present study aimed at identifying the proportion of preterm toddlers at risk of NDD who attended a tertiary care hospital using a screening tool ASQ 3 and comparing the risk of NDD among moderate to late preterm, very preterm and extreme preterms. The present Materials and Method: study was conducted in the Paediatric OPD of a tertiary care hospital. The study calculated the risk of neurodevelopmental delay among toddlers born preterm using a validated Marathi-translated version of ASQ 3.The ASQ 3 was completed by parents, mainly the mothers. The study included 111 preterm toddlers with chronological ages ranging from 12 to 24 months, with a mean of 17.63 ± 3.73 months and a male-to-female ratio 0f 1.4 :1. The toddlers under the black zone are considered at high risk of NDD and referred to the Child Development and Guidance Clinic for further evaluation. Overall, 22 (19.8%) preterm toddlers failed ASQ, with single-domain failure Results: (63.63%) being the most common, followed by 2-domain (22.72%) failure. Among those 22, more than two third (77.2%) failed in the gross motor domain, followed by 31.8% in ne motor, 22.7% in personal-social, and 13.63% each in communication and problem-solving. Additionally, 39 (35.13%) toddlers were in the grey zone, with 25.64% in ne motor, 20.51% each in the domain of communication, problem-solving and personal-social and 12.82 % in the gross motor domain. A decrease in gestational age was associated with a statistically signicant increase in the risk of NDD. the multivariate analysis identied the chronological age of ≤ 18 months, being underweight and receipt of mechanical ventilation during the neonatal period as independent risk factors for being at risk of NDD. ASQ is a reliable screening tool that can be e Conclusion: asily used in pediatric ofce practice

Comparison of brief group behavioural parent training with individual parent training for preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomized feasibility study.

Behaviour parent training (BPT) is first-line treatment for preschool attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). BPT in a group format can be a cost- and time-effective alternative in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) settings with limited resources. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the feasibility and efficacy of group BPT with individual BPT in improving ADHD severity in the preschool age group over 12 weeks. After approval by the ethical committee, the study was conducted in the child guidance clinic, JIPMER. Fifty-six children aged 2.5 to 6 years diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM5 were recruited. Children with autism spectrum disorder and a social quotient less than 50 were excluded. Block randomization parallel design was done. Group interventions were delivered with 4-8 parents per group, focusing on psychoeducation, structuring of routine, attention enhancing tasks, behavioural parenting techniques, and TAU. ADHD severity was assessed using Conner's abbreviated behaviour rating scale at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Parental stress was estimated by FISC-MR adapted for ADHD. Statistical analysis included repeated measures ANOVA. Significant improvement was noticed for both groups (F = 20.261, p < .001, ES (η2 ) = 0.539). Group intervention was not inferior to individual BPT in reducing ADHD severity (F = 0.860, p = .468, ES (η2 ) = 0.047). There was a statistically significant difference from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention in the reduction of parental stress (F = 20.80, p < .001, ES (η2 ) = 0.278) and enhancement of the coping strategies (F = 64.4, (p < .001), ES (η2 ) = 0.78). The intervention had high attendance and fidelity rates. Group BPT was promising in treating ADHD in low-resource settings.

Study of Determinants of Somatoform Disorders in Children.

Somatoform disorders constitute a group of illnesses that present with predominant physical symptoms for which there is no demonstrable etiology, and psychological factors are implicated in initiating, exacerbating, and maintaining the disorder. The aim of this study was to study a host of factors, namely, the I.Q. of children, scholastic performance in the last three years, the past history of medical illness, psychiatric disorders in the family,and life stress in the last year, and to compare these factors with those in matched control subjects.This study looked at the effects of somatoform disorders on children's I.Q., scholastic performance in the previous three years, a history of medical illness, psychiatric disorders in the family, and life stress in the previous year. In this case-control study, a sample was selected from the child guidance clinic of the psychiatry outpatient department (OPD)of the University Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. The time period of study was from January 2011 to June 2012. All the patients who presented to the child guidance clinic of the psychiatry OPD with one or more somatic symptoms as among their chief complaints were screened. All subjects fulfilling the selection criteria were recruited into the study. An I.Q. test was administered to thechildren,and the raw score for the verbal and performance tests was calculated. Children above the age of 16 years were assessed with the Wechsler Adult Performance Intelligence Scale. One hundred fifteen cases that fulfilled the selection criteria were studied. About 14.6% (N = 11) of the patients had a history of significant physical illness as opposed to 12.5% (N = 5) in healthy controls. The scholastic performance in the last three years of the patients group was poorer than that of the control group. The mean number of stressful life events in the patients group was 5.95±1.77 (range: 1-10), and in the control group, it was 1.25±0.43 (range: 1-3). Compared to controls, patients hada significantly lower I.Q. and poorer scholastic performance in the last three years, a more frequent past history of medical illness, and a greater frequency of life stress in the areas of studies, health, family-related issues, and interpersonal issues.

A study on psychiatric conditions in children with school refusal- A clinic based study.

School refusal is a broad term that encompasses a child-motivated refusal to attend or remain at school, or a clear and apparent difficulty in doing so. Different factors that may influence the development of school refusal include a genetic predisposition, the home and family environment, the school environment, and social pressures. the present study aimed at examining, the psychiatric diagnostic status of children and adolescents who presented with school refusal. 92 consecutive subjects who attended the Child guidance clinic at Tata Main Hospital Jamshedpur were taken up for this study. The Clinical Diagnosis was based on the classificatory system of the International classification of diseases-10(ICD-10) through interviews. findings show that the mean age of the patient was 9.6 years. The prominent psychiatric co-morbidity present was Childhood emotional disorder unspecified, separation anxiety, conversion disorder, over-anxiety disorder, and somatoform disorder. Among children who refuse school, emotional reasons and anxiety disorders are most prevalent. This calls for early recognition and appropriate culturally relevant intervention to ensure early return to school.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study of Clinical Profile and Co-morbidity.

Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in preschool children is challenging and complicated owing to the presence of developmentally appropriate overactivity and a dynamic developmental/learning phase shaping their behaviour. We aimed to study the clinical profile and co-morbidity of ADHD in preschool children. Fifty consecutively presenting preschool children with ADHD were enrolled from our child guidance clinic (CGC) between January 2017 and December 2018. The diagnosis and assessment of comorbidities were based on the DSM-5 criteria and Vanderbilt teacher and parent rating scales. Relevant clinical and sociodemographic profiles were assessed and analyzed for association with ADHD subtypes and comorbidity. Preschool children with ADHD constituted 8% of all patients visiting the CGC and one-fifth of all children with ADHD. Male:female ratio was 11.5:1. Hyperactive-impulsive was the commonest type, and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) was the commonest comorbidity. Most children belonged to the lower-middle socioeconomic group. Language delay was observed in 20%. Median social quotient measured using the Vineland Social Maturity Scale was 83. Preschool children predominantly have the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD. Isolated language delay was the predominant comorbid developmental disorder, and ODD was the predominant comorbid behavioural disorder. Addressing these issues would help in the appropriate management of these children.

A New History of Social Work: Values and Practice in the Struggle for Social Justice, John H. Pierson

What can a historical perspective teach us? Pierson argues that taking a ‘social justice’ perspective to history uncovers social work’s past prejudices and examines its relationship to a changing society. The risk is to assume that current attitudes are the ideal and to apply them to the past without properly considering the historical context but Pierson takes a more judicious approach—he’s alive to the prejudices and oppressions of the past whilst acknowledging that our progress to a more socially equitable society still has a long way to go. It’s worth noting that Pierson’s is a history of British social work—there is nothing inevitable about the way the profession has developed in the UK and some comparative case studies from other countries might have been illuminating. Pierson argues that his approach focuses on ‘street level engagement’ between professionals and service users, highlighting common themes between social work in the past and today. He begins in the post-Napoleonic period and the relatively generous provisions of the Poor Law before the 1834 Amendment. Welfare, he argues, was embedded in British society long before the post-1945 welfare state. The early chapters are the most engaging: Pierson uses historical records and case studies to bring these sections alive. Highlights for me were a balanced discussion of the Charity Organisation Society, showing how its often excellent practical and theoretical work was undermined by a rigidly individualistic philosophy of personal responsibility and a fascinating chapter on the womens’ settlement movement from which grew the first formal training courses (because, unlike with mens’ settlements, there were no subsequent career paths for the women to follow). The pioneering course at Liverpool University, established in 1905, faced dilemmas that many educators today will find familiar as—in a later chapter—did the expansion of social work courses at the London School of Economics in the 1950s. Should they be generic? Should they be dominated by a psychiatric approach? There is much to consider and reflect on in these earlier chapters as Pierson discusses the rise of psychoanalytic casework, the ‘mental hygiene’ movement, debates over exactly what sort of ‘guidance’ Child Guidance Clinics ought to offer.

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY CONFLICT AND FAMILY COHESION WITH DEVELOPMENT OF COMORBID DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR DISORDER IN CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER – A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Objectives: Attention Decit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neuro-developmental disorders in children. Most common comorbidity is Disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) consisting of Oppositional Deant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD). Family and social environmental factors may contribute to develop DBD in children with genetic vulnerability. This study was done to nd out the association of family conict and family cohesion with development of comorbid DBD in children with ADHD. Methods: This case-control, cross sectional study was done in a child Guidance clinic of R.G Kar Medical College, Kolkata. Total study population(N=154) comprises of children diagnosed as ADHD with co morbid DBD (N=53), ADHD only (N=39) and Normal children (N=62). Children fullling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were screened using Child symptom inventory (for10-12 years age) and Devereux Scales of Mental Disorders (for 13-15 years age) and then diagnosed according to DSM IV TR. Control population was collected from schools after screening out for having any psychiatric disorder (N =62). The consenting parents of the cases and control were assessed using Family Environmental scale (F.E.S). Results: Signicant differences were found in family conict and family cohesion among these 3 groups. Families of children with ADHD with co morbid DBD (ODD or CD) had signicantly higher family conict and lower cohesion than families of children with ADHD alone and control children. Conclusion: High family conict and low cohesion are associated with development of DBD in children with ADHD.

‘Psychoanalysis is one more way of taking people seriously’: Adam Phillips in conversation with Emma Williams

Adam Phillips is a leading psychoanalyst and author. Phillips was educated at Clifton College and studied English Literature at Oxford University. He trained to be a psychoanalyst at the Institute of Child Psychology. Across the course of his professional career, he has worked at Guys Hospital, with a school for ‘maladjusted children’, at Camberwell Child Guidance Clinic and at Charing Cross Hospital in the Department of Child Psychiatry. He now works in private practice. Phillips is the author of many works, including Terrors and Experts (1997), In Writing: Essays on Literature (2016), Attention Seeking (2019) and his most recent book, The Cure for Psychoanalysis (2021). He also served as the General Editor of the New Penguin Classics Translations of the works of Sigmund Freud. The conversation begins by exploring the way mental health has become a topic of public interest as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The opportunities and challenges in Phillips's experience working with schools and for young people's mental health services during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s are then discussed. Questions about the nature of psychoanalysis are introduced, and the discussion turns towards the relationship between philosophy, literature and psychoanalysis. There is a brief discussion of connections between Phillips's work and the philosophy of Stanley Cavell. Phillips's essays on schools and education are explored in connection with ideas of omniscience, sadomasochism and ‘experiments in living’. The conversation ends with a glimpse of school as a place to cultivate one's interest and one's sociability with others.

Assessing Sensory Processing Disorders in a Child Guidance Clinic with Focus on ADHD

Introduction: Sensory processing generally refers to the handling of sensory information by neural systems, including the functions of receptor organs and the peripheral and central nervous systems. Sensory processing difficulties occur in a host of neuro developmental problems like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among several others. These can also occur in children considered otherwise normal. Aim: To assess prevalence and distribution of Sensory Processing Difficulties among children attending the Child Guidance Clinic with focus on ADHD (excluding ASD) in a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata. Methodology : All new cases attending the Child Guidance Clinic during study period were included. Serious comorbid physical illness requiring admission, refusal to give consent and cases diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disorder, Intellectual Disabilities and Psychiatric sequelae of serious physical illness were exclusion factors. All children who were referred to the Child Guidance Clinic were routinely administered the Child Symptom Inventory (CSI), followed by detailed evaluation. Cases were selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Final diagnosis regarding psychopathology was made on the basis of DSM-5 criteria. Following this, another researcher (Occupational therapist) who was blind to the diagnosis screened the patient for Sensory Processing Difficulties using the validated tools Winnie Dunn Short Sensory Profile (SSP). Results: Difference of mean SSP scores between two groups i.e. ADHD (mean score – 134.41) and others including ODD, CD, Mood disorders (mean score-153.10) was statistically significant. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware that children with externalizing behaviors like ADHD may also have underlying sensory processing difficulties which may be masked. Hence evaluation of sensory processing difficulties should form an integral part of the assessment process in such conditions. Key word : Sensory Processing Difficulties, ADHD, Occupational therapy.

A demographic study of patients with behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders among children in East India

Background: The prevalence of behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders of children in India is changing according to recent data, as more young children with these problems are now being identified. Aim: Our study aims to assess the emerging patterns of these disorders in patients attending an urban child guidance clinic in Kolkata. Method: A retrospective analysis of the demographic data of patients attending the clinic over the period of 1 year (April 2018–March 2019) was performed. Results: A significant 55.6% of the total 651 patients in our study were children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children &lt;5 years of age constituted a significant percentage (55.3%) of patients attending the clinic and boys were in significantly larger numbers (74.8%) compared to girls (25.2%). About 52.3% of the children came from Kolkata, 35.4% from other districts of West Bengal, 5.4% from other East Indian states, and 6.9% from the neighboring country Bangladesh. Conclusion: ASD, a developmental disability of public health importance affecting both child and family, has been identified in a significantly large number of children in our study. This may be attributed to increased community awareness resulting in earlier identification/referral of cases; although an actual rise in incidence is also a possibility. The male bias noted in the study is ascribed to a significantly larger number of boys with ASD, behavioral issues, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, and intellectual impairment.