Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects, above all, social relationships and communication. As well as behavior in the form of cognitive rigidity, repetitive behaviors, accompanied by problems (with) eating or restricted interests. ASD can be classified into three different degrees, depending on the severity and the support needs of the children. 1 would be the mildest cases and 3 the most severe with children who can also associate cognitive deficit, (without) absence of language and behavioral problems.
ASD can be diagnosed from early childhood, from 18 months. For this reason, it is very important for primary care, with the Growing Up Healthy program, and kindergartens and schools to work together to detect these neurodevelopmental disorders and begin working to have a better prognosis.
"An early diagnosis of ASD avoids labels such as: this child is very restless, he is naughty, he itches a lot... We can start the therapeutic approach with the child from before 18 months, with his family and his environment, avoiding stigmatization and future problems, such as low self-esteem.”, explains Dr. Maria Jesús Garcia, neuropediatrician at the Early Development and Care Center (CDIAP) at Parc Taulí.
The CDIAP of Parc Taulí is a benchmark in the early detection and treatment of this disorder with a multidisciplinary team made up of: neuropediatricians, psychologists, psychotherapists, physiotherapists, speech therapists and social workers.
Although the treatment is highly individualized based on the needs of each child, attempts are made to work on social skills by doing therapies for 3 or 6 children, with one or two therapists, generating an environment that is as real as possible and facilitating interaction between them.
In Catalonia, there are 103 early development and care centers (CDIAP), in Vallès Occidental there are 6. The CDIAP of Parc Taulí served 2024 children during 2.176.
UrgentTEA
This project was born from the need to try to create a welcoming space in the pediatric emergency room of Parc Taulí for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically for children with autism spectrum disorders.
The project can be divided into two parts, the first of which is training Emergency Department staff and families on what these disorders are and how to treat them. The second is the adaptation of the space with visual aids and specific prior information on what happens when you come to the emergency department. In this way, families, teachers and society prepare the child and explain what can happen and the doctor can provide care without high levels of anxiety on the part of the child.
This year, the 'Sabadell Corre pels Nens i les Nenes' charity race will allocate the money raised to the UrgenTEA project.
