Author: Dr. Rajeshwari Yadav

A Conversation with Parents: Understanding Autism and How We Can Help

Imagine sitting in my clinic, discussing your concerns for your little one. That’s the tone I want to set here—just us, having an honest and heartfelt conversation about your child.

Parent: “Dr. Rajeshwari, I’ve been worried about my son. He’s three, but he doesn’t talk as much as other kids his age. He avoids eye contact and prefers playing alone. Could it be autism? I feel so lost.”

Dr. Rajeshwari: First, take a deep breath. It’s okay to feel worried—that just shows how deeply you care about your child. From what you’ve shared, it’s possible that your son might be showing signs of autism, but let’s not jump to conclusions yet. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be reliably diagnosed as early as 18 months, but every child is unique, and developmental milestones can vary.

Let’s work together to understand your child better. The earlier we identify their needs, the sooner we can start supporting them in a way that works best for them.

Parent: “What are the early signs of autism? I’m not sure if I’ve been missing something.”

Dr. Rajeshwari: You’re not alone—many parents feel the same way. Some early signs include limited or no eye contact, delayed speech, repetitive behaviors like lining up toys, or intense focus on one activity. Some children might also seem overly sensitive to sounds or textures.

It’s important to remember that these signs don’t define your child—they’re just clues that can guide us to better understand how they experience the world.

Parent: “If my child is autistic, what can I do? Will they ever speak or connect with others?”

Dr. Rajeshwari: Every child’s journey is different. Some children may start speaking later, while others might use alternative ways to communicate. What’s most important is finding the right support for your child. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral interventions can work wonders.

At Caitanya Clinic, we’ve seen how integrating homeopathy into this mix can make a significant difference. Homeopathy gently addresses core challenges like anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and even immune system imbalances. When paired with allied therapies, it helps children connect more deeply with the world around them.

Parent: “Homeopathy? How does that help? I’ve heard mixed opinions about it.”

Dr. Rajeshwari: That’s a great question. Homeopathy works at a deeper level, focusing on the unique needs of the child. For instance, it can help reduce hyperactivity, improve focus, and ease the anxiety many children on the spectrum experience.

But here’s what makes our approach at Caitanya Clinic special: we don’t rely on homeopathy alone. We combine it with therapies like speech and occupational therapy, creating a tailored plan for your child. This integrated approach has shown wonderful results in many of our cases.

Parent: “I’m still worried about the future. Will my child be able to lead a happy life?”

Dr. Rajeshwari: I understand your fears—they’re completely natural. And the answer is yes, your child can absolutely lead a fulfilling life. With the right guidance and support, children with autism can develop their strengths, learn new skills, and connect with the world in their own unique way.

At Caitanya Clinic, we don’t just focus on therapies—we also work with parents, guiding you to become your child’s greatest advocate and cheerleader. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where your child can thrive.

Parent: “It sounds like you’ve worked with many families like ours. What’s your experience been?”

Dr. Rajeshwari: Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many wonderful children and their families. Every case teaches me something new, and I’ve seen how an integrated approach can bring about real, positive changes.

Some children have started speaking their first words after months of therapy; others have developed better focus or learned to handle social situations more comfortably. These moments are what keep me passionate about what I do.

As a parent, you’re doing an incredible job by seeking answers and support. Let’s piece together your child’s puzzle, step by step. At Caitanya Clinic, our protocol is designed to meet your child’s unique needs, blending homeopathy with other therapies to achieve the best possible outcomes.

You’re not alone in this journey. I’m here to help, and together, we can create a path that allows your child to shine in their own beautiful way.

(If you’d like to explore this approach further, book a consultation at Caitanya Clinic. We are available online consulting & clinic consulting at Vasai in the suburbs of Mumbai  Let’s start this journey together.)

As parents, we all want the best for our children, especially when it comes to their development and education. But what if your child is struggling with reading, writing, or even basic math? You might start to wonder, “Is this just a phase, or could it be something more?” It’s natural to have questions and concerns, and it’s important to know that you’re not alone.

What Are Learning Disabilities? Learning disabilities are neurological disorders that affect the brain’s ability to process information. This means your child might have difficulty with tasks that most children find easy, like listening, speaking, reading, or writing. In India, around 5-12% of school-aged children are diagnosed with specific learning disabilities, and many receive interventions like remedial education or holistic treatments, including homeopathy.

Common Signs of Learning Disabilities You might notice certain behaviors in your child that raise red flags. These could include:

• Language Delays: Speaking later than peers, pronunciation problems, or difficulty finding the right words.
• Difficulty with Basic Concepts: Struggling to learn numbers, the alphabet, days of the week, or shapes.
• Attention Issues: Being easily distracted, restless, or having trouble following directions.
• Motor Skills: Poor coordination, difficulty holding a pencil, or clumsiness.

Does This Sound Familiar? It’s common for parents to see these signs and wonder if it’s just a temporary phase. You might think, “They’ll grow out of it,” or “I was like that as a child, and I turned out fine.” But if these behaviors persist, it could be a sign of a learning disability. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to helping your child thrive.

Checklist of Potential Learning Disabilities

Preschool

• Speaks later than most children.
• Pronunciation problems.
• Slow vocabulary growth, often unable to find the right word.
• Difficulty rhyming words.
• Trouble learning numbers, the alphabet, days of the week, colors, shapes.
• Extremely restless and easily distracted.
• Trouble interacting with peers.
• Difficulty following directions or routines.
• Fine motor skills slow to develop.

Grades K-4

• Slow to learn the connection between letters and sounds.
• Confuses basic words (run, eat, want).
• Makes consistent reading and spelling errors, including letter reversals (b/d), inversions (m/w), transpositions (felt/left), and substitutions (house/home).
• Transposes number sequences and confuses arithmetic signs (+, -, x, /, =).
• Slow to remember facts.
• Slow to learn new skills, relies heavily on memorization.
• Impulsive, difficulty planning.
• Unstable pencil grip.
• Trouble learning about time.
• Poor coordination, unaware of physical surroundings, prone to accidents.

Grades 5-8

• Reverses letter sequences (soiled/solid, left/felt).
• Slow to learn prefixes, suffixes, root words, and other spelling strategies.
• Avoids reading aloud.
• Trouble with word problems.
• Difficulty with handwriting.
• Awkward, fist-like, or tight pencil grip.
• Avoids writing compositions.
• Slow or poor recall of facts.
• Difficulty making friends.
• Trouble understanding body language and facial expressions.

High School Students and Adults

• Continues to spell incorrectly, frequently spelling the same word differently in a single piece of writing.
• Avoids reading and writing tasks.
• Trouble summarizing.
• Trouble with open-ended questions on tests.
• Weak memory skills.
• Difficulty adjusting to new settings.
• Works slowly.
• Poor grasp of abstract concepts.
• Either pays too little attention to details or focuses on them too much.
• Misreads information.

How Can Homeopathy Help? You might be wondering, “Can homeopathy really help with something as complex as a learning disability?” The answer is yes. Homeopathy works on the principle of treating the individual as a whole, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of your child’s challenges.

When your child is treated homeopathically with the remedy that best matches their symptoms, you may see improvements not just in their behavior, but also in their overall well-being. Homeopathy helps them feel more in touch with the positive aspects of themselves, reducing disruptive and harmful behaviors.

Common Concerns from Parents Here are some of the questions I often hear from concerned parents like you:

• How long will the treatment take?
  Homeopathic treatment for learning disabilities is a process that takes time. It’s important to be patient and keep the bigger picture in mind. Results won’t happen overnight, but with consistent care, you will see progress.
• Will my child ever catch up with their peers?
  Every child’s journey is unique. While it may take time, many children with learning disabilities go on to lead successful, productive lives with the right support and treatment.
• What if I’ve tried everything and nothing works?
  It’s understandable to feel frustrated, especially if you’ve tried multiple therapies. Homeopathy offers a different approach, focusing on the root cause of the issue rather than just the symptoms.

The Psychological Impact on Parents It’s not just your child who’s affected by a learning disability—you are too. You might go through a range of emotions, from denial and blame to fear and guilt. It’s important to remember that these feelings are normal. Counseling and support from professionals can help you navigate this challenging time.

Early Intervention Makes a Difference If parents, teachers, and other professionals discover a child’s learning disability early and provide the right kind of help, it can give the child a chance to develop the skills needed to lead a successful and productive life. A recent National Institutes of Health study showed that 67% of young students who were at risk for reading difficulties became average or above-average readers after receiving help in the early grades.

Research shows that early intervention can significantly improve outcomes for children with learning disabilities. If you notice warning signs in your child, don’t hesitate to seek help. The sooner we can start working together, the better the chances of helping your child reach their full potential.

Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. As a parent, your involvement and support are crucial. Together, with the right treatment plan—including homeopathy—we can help your child overcome their challenges and thrive.