Smiles Child Development Centre opens in Hyderabad
The 5,000-sq-ft centre will address the needs of the autistic children
Sangeeta Rajesh, Center Head, Smiles Child Development Center
Hyderabad: Smiles Child Development Center was opened in the city on Wednesday to address the growing incidences of children developing autism-like symptoms due to poor social contact they went through during the Covid-19 pandemic. The centre was inaugurated by Renuka B, MD of Butta Group & Founder of Meridian Educational Society and Seema Sikri, Associate Director of Hyderabad City Security Council.
Autism symptoms such as lack of eye contact, attention span, doing things repetitively, inattentiveness, delayed speech, no response to calling out their name, poor social contact, and addiction to mobile phones are seen in a significant number of children in the age group of up to 14 years and their number is on the rise, said Sangeeta Rajesh, ISB alumni, the lady behind Smiles Child Development Center.
She said, “These symptoms can be reversed to normal behaviour after therapy. Hyderabad is known for the best healthcare infrastructure, but lacks amenities and counselling & therapy services. These facilities are required for treating autistic children. Ours is only second of its kind and the biggest (5,000 sq ft) centre which was set up with an investment of over Rs 2 crore. The centre is the need of the hour as a significant percentage of the child population in the city developing autism-like symptoms.”
Sangeeta added, “Schools are unable to keep students, parents are caught off guard not knowing what to do. Smiles Child Development Center has massive facilities such as therapy balls (peanut balls), a trampoline, a multi-sensory gym, kids toilet training, a home suite, occupational therapy equipment, balancing exercise equipment, monkey bar, multi swing system and a floating bridge required to address the problem.”
Autism is the world's third most common developmental disability, a neurological illness. In the city, it is now emerging as a big health issue. Low awareness, lack of minimum required facilities and poor diagnosis, lack of well-trained professionals is a challenge.
