Trichy: Claiming to be the first-of-its-kind effort to provide treatment for autism patients through Indian medicine system in the government sector in the state, a combined treatment section for children with autism began functioning at the office of the district siddha medical officer here on Thursday. The new facility was inaugurated by district collector K Rajamani at the district siddha block inside Mahatma Gandhi memorial government hospital (MGMGH).Autism, a neuro-biological pervasive developmental disorder occurring in early childhood, impairs the ability of the children to communicate with others due to lack of coordination between the mind and brain. With many patients relying only on allopathic treatment coupled with physiotherapy, the department of Indian medicine and homeopathy of the state government decided to try the treatment methods available in the text books of Indian medicine to treat the autism patients."The combined treatment of AYUSH will provide the basic training and best care to the affected children free of cost and improve their lifestyle," said district collector Rajamani. Both internal medication and external therapy will be given to the children through the four branches - Siddha, Ayurvedha, Yoga and Naturopathy and Homeopathy in a combined manner.A team of doctors - Siddha physicians Dr Sabarinathan and Dr Vathsala, Ayurvedha physicians Dr Merlin Dora and Dr Selvakumar, Yoga and Naturopathy physicians Dr Isai Amudhu and Dr Helen as well as homeopathy physician Dr Saratha — will examine the patients. The treatment method has been classified into two - the first one lasting 21 days with internal medication and the next 21 days with external medication."Our medicine system has treatment for autism. But we are trying it for the first time in the government sector in the state. Initially, the autism patients will receive treatment from any one of the methods. The progress of the patient will be monitored. If the patient requires the treatment in another method, it will be given. Ultimately, there would be great improvement in the patient's activity," said district siddha medical officer Dr S Kamaraj.As of now, the Indian medicine department in Trichy has rolled out the treatment method for autism with the available medicine. However, it required much support from the state government to give a thrust to the alternative way of approach to treat such disorders. The patients can visit the centre on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday where the doctors will attend to them from 8 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 05 pm.

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