Physiotherapy centre for autistic children starts in Nepalgunj

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Aug. 7: Physiotherapy service for children with autism has started in Nepalgunj-based Magic Touch Child Development Centre. The service is a first of its kind in Western Nepal.

The Magic Touch Child Development Centre (MTCDC) has its branches in India's New Delhi, Lucknow and Kanpur. The (MTCDC) in Nepalgunj is the Centre's first branch in Nepal.

Nepalgunj Medical College's (NMC) senior physician Dr. Aasim Kidwai played the role of a mediator to bring the Centre's service to Nepalgunj.

The Centre was jointly inaugurated by NMC Director Dr. M. Kidwai, former minister Mohammad Ishtiyaq Rai and House of Representatives member Dr. Dhawal Shamsher Rana

The physiotherapy team in Nepalgunj is led by Dr. Mohammed Irfan.

The opening of the Centre in Nepalgunj has ended the compulsion of parents to take their autistic children to hospitals in India for treatment, said Dr. Aasim Kidwai.

"Dr. Irfan is an expert in physiotherapy for children with autism. The service will benefit autistic children in three provinces of Western Nepal," Dr. Kidwai added.

Doctors stressed that the Nepali community is still unaware of autism. “Autism is not a disease but a problem that arises during the development of children's brains. It is curable with therapy," said Dr. Kidwai.

"The physiotherapy from the Centre will help develop the physical and mental capacity of the children. It will also help improve immunity in children. They can be as healthy as others after receiving therapy," said Dr. Irfan.

Dr. Irfan informed that the centre had already treated more than 250 children with autism in India through physiotherapy.

"This physiotherapy method will be beneficial to the children as they will develop social and communicative skills as well," said Dr. Piush Kanodia, a paediatrician at the NMC.

Lawmaker Rana, former minister Rai and local representatives of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City pledged every possible support to the child development centre.

Doctors argued that autism can be cured only through physiotherapy for now, as no effective cure has been developed yet.

Physiotherapy services in the Centre include speech therapy, occupational therapy, music healing, art therapy, behaviour therapy and naturopathy among others.