BSV brings performing arts therapy to children with special needs
As part of the collaboration, short-term certificate courses will be introduced. These will focus on rhythm, vocal expression, dance, expressions, and group performance. University students will also get a chance to take up internships to support therapy sessions.
The partnership will also explore research opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and neuro-musical techniques, using case studies and documentation. In future, the university and the foundation may set up a National Resource Centre for Art-Based Neuro Therapy, which could help create self-employment opportunities in performing arts for children with special needs. 'These courses will help empower children with disabilities by offering them career options and supporting their intellectual growth,' said BSV Vice Chancellor prof Mandavi Singh.
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Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Increasing screen-time crisis among children can rise ‘Virtual Autism' alarms: Neurologists
By Vishal Kumar Singh New Delhi: India is witnessing a disturbing rise in autism-like symptoms among children aged 2 to 9 not due to genetics, but linked to excessive screen exposure. Neurologists have termed this emerging condition "virtual autism" , warning that overuse of digital devices is rewiring young brains and fueling a hidden epidemic. Leading experts are now calling for urgent national action and greater public awareness to combat this growing crisis, a call that gains even more urgency as the world marks World Brain Day 2025 . 'We're seeing a wave of screen-induced behavioral disorders almost like a second pandemic,' says Dr. Shobha N, Consultant Neurologist & Stroke Physician at Manipal Hospital, Malleshwaram. 'The red flags are clear: shortened attention spans, tantrums, lack of social skills, and emotional dysregulation.' A Tamil Nadu-based study revealed that 73 per cent of children under five far exceed the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended screen time of one hour daily, averaging 2.4 hours. This overuse has been associated with a 53-fold increase in the risk of developmental delays. In urban India, ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is being seen in 11 per cent of school-aged children, and autism spectrum symptoms in up to 3 per cent, that's potentially 18 million children. Autism or Just Digital Overload? The biggest diagnostic challenge today: Is it real autism, or screen-induced symptoms that mimic it? 'True autism is neurodevelopmental, appears early, and is lifelong,' explains Dr. (Col) Joy Dev Mukherji, Vice Chairman & Head of Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket. 'It persists regardless of screen time. But in 'virtual autism,' symptoms often emerge after prolonged screen exposure and can fade once screen use is cut down.' Dr. Karthik Raju Iyer, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Altius Hospital, says the difference isn't always obvious: 'We need detailed history, behavior mapping, and tools like the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition) test to distinguish the two. The good news? Many kids improve dramatically with reduced screen time and guided therapy.' Modern urban lifestyles are part of the problem. With working parents, nuclear households, and digital babysitters, children are spending more time with screens than people. 'In joint families, grandparents played a vital role in nurturing children. That's missing now. Today's role models are screen heroes, not real people," says Dr Shobha. Dr. Mukherji has observed rising emotional distress in kids such as anxiety, frustration, social withdrawal, all worsened by digital overexposure. Dr. Iyer adds, 'In any urban restaurant, you'll see toddlers glued to tablets instead of talking or playing. These lost interactions are what build developing brains.' "Despite growing evidence, awareness remains shockingly low as parents often believe they're giving their child a head-start through 'educational' content, "In reality, screens are contributing to speech delays, poor attention spans, and emotional imbalances especially in younger children," says Dr. Iyer. "The pandemic only intensified the problem, with digital schooling and lockdown isolation increasing screen dependency. 'Virtual autism is not genetic, it's environmental and in many cases, reversible,' Dr. Mukherji stresses. India's healthcare and education systems aren't equipped to handle the fallout. Dr. Mukherji notes that 12 per cent of children aged 2–9 have some form of developmental disorder but early detection is rare, especially in rural India where specialists are scarce and stigma is high. "Schools, too, are lagging, most of them still focus on rote learning and don't accommodate neurodivergent learners. Our classrooms aren't built for these kids especially outside metro cities," says Dr. Mukherji. Parents often face the emotional toll alone. 'There's confusion, guilt, stigma and not enough support,' Dr. Iyer adds. Dr. Mukherji warns that up to 60 per cent of new autism-like cases may be linked to screen overuse. She urges India to implement clear national guidelines, similar to WHO's viz zero screen time for children under 2 and no more than one hour a day for kids under five. Dr. Iyer suggests using India's existing ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) and ICDS (Integrated Child Development scheme) systems for early detection and outreach. 'We don't need to reinvent the wheel. We just need the will. 'Parents, teachers, and health workers must act as the frontline. We can't afford half-measures anymore." As India reflects on brain health this World Brain Day, neurologists unanimously inform that too much screen time is rewiring children's brains permanently, if we don't act. But there's hope. Virtual autism can be reversed, if caught early, and treated with connection over convenience.
Hindustan Times
18-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
BSV brings performing arts therapy to children with special needs
: Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (BSV) is set to begin music and dance therapy courses for children with disabilities through a new partnership with The Hope Foundation. The programme will support children with Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disabilities by offering specialised training in music and movement. The university and the foundation may set up a National Resource Centre for Art-Based Neuro Therapy (For representation only) As part of the collaboration, short-term certificate courses will be introduced. These will focus on rhythm, vocal expression, dance, expressions, and group performance. University students will also get a chance to take up internships to support therapy sessions. The partnership will also explore research opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and neuro-musical techniques, using case studies and documentation. In future, the university and the foundation may set up a National Resource Centre for Art-Based Neuro Therapy, which could help create self-employment opportunities in performing arts for children with special needs. 'These courses will help empower children with disabilities by offering them career options and supporting their intellectual growth,' said BSV Vice Chancellor prof Mandavi Singh.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- The Hindu
Community-designed toolkit launched in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to raise awareness of childhood NDDs
With South Asia reporting the highest global prevalence of childhood neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs), a new regional initiative is aiming to evaluate this pressing issue of delayed diagnosis and care through community-driven solutions. The work published in June as a manuscript titled, 'Co-designing a community engagement toolkit to raise awareness of screening and care for neurodevelopmental delays and disabilities in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka' was led by a group of 13 researchers who developed a Community Engagement Toolkit, in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, that is designed to improve early detection and family support for children with developmental delays, including autism and intellectual disability. The toolkit, part of the larger NAMASTE programme (Neurodevelopment and Autism in South Asia Treatment and Evidence), was developed using participatory research involving 185 individuals. These included 94 caregivers, 68 non-specialist health workers, 14 specialist service providers, and 9 autistic adults, who participated in interviews and co-design workshops across Delhi, Goa, Lalitpur (Nepal), and Colombo (Sri Lanka). A regional need for early detection South Asia is estimated to have the highest prevalence of developmental disabilities worldwide, with 1.2 million children under the age of five living with autism and another 3.9 million with intellectual disability. Yet early detection remains low due to stigma, myths, and gaps in both caregiver knowledge and public health messaging. Many families reported delays even when they had regular access to health services. A 57-year-old mother from Goa who participated in the research, said, 'My paediatrician must have seen the signs, but he was not telling us; later on, I asked him, 'why didn't you tell me my son had Autism, he said that he was scared of losing a patient because many times parents don't take the diagnosis well.' Toolkit The research identified three critical stages where caregivers needed information: (1) recognising early signs from birth, (2) navigating diagnosis, and (3) coping after a confirmed NDD diagnosis. Based on these needs, the toolkit offers nine multilingual components, including: awareness posters to highlight key developmental milestones; a Child Development Milestone (CDM) calendar for monthly tracking; leaflets and videos offering caregiver stories, self-care guidance, and evidence-based support resources. These components were developed with feedback from Community Advisory Boards in all three countries and reflect the voices of mothers, fathers, grandparents, autistic adults, and local health workers. India's implementation focus In India, the toolkit is being piloted in east Delhi and north Goa districts, where Anganwadi workers are being trained to use and distribute the materials. The content has been adapted to the relevant Indian languages and cultural settings, and caregivers reported preference for printed materials over digital ones due to accessibility issues. Importantly, the toolkit integrates with India's Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card, a government health tracker that is under utilised for developmental monitoring. The CDM calendar addresses this gap by making developmental milestones more visible and understandable in everyday family life. Voices from Nepal and Sri Lanka In Nepal, where developmental screening tools are limited, the toolkit fills a major gap by introducing visual aids and referral information through Female Community Health Volunteers. In Sri Lanka, although families receive the Child Health Development Record (CHDR), many reported not understanding what to do when a milestone is delayed. A 44-year-old mother from Lalitpur said, 'Usually, all the materials were in English. It was difficult to understand. Everything was new at the time. I feel that if I had known about it when she was two or two and a half, she would have been diagnosed earlier.' Empowering families and frontline workers Beyond materials, the toolkit is also about changing attitudes. Videos feature real caregivers and health workers, focus on strengths rather than fear, and avoid clinical jargon. It encourages inclusive language, recognises shared caregiving in joint families, and supports mothers — who bear the brunt of responsibility — with mental health tips and self-care guidance. 'Too often, caregivers are left confused and unsupported, and even steered away from seeking care because of stigma and lack of credible and accessible information,' said lead author of the study, Sweta Pal of Sangath, India, a mental healthcare non-profit. 'This toolkit aims to bridge these critical gaps by offering clear, simple, actionable information and handholding caregivers through the journey of recognising early signs and navigating the path to care.' Next steps The toolkit is the first of its kind in South Asia, and novel for most parts of the world. It is designed using human-centred design principles and embedded in a public health context. It is currently being rolled out as part of community-based early screening programmes. The developers hope future research will evaluate whether it leads to earlier diagnoses, better engagement, and ultimately, improved developmental outcomes for children. 'This is more than just a set of posters and videos,' said Dr. Gauri Divan from Sangath and co-author, 'The components have been designed keeping in mind the often difficult and tortuous journeys that families of children with disabilities must travel when they seek answers for their child's difference. It is a reflection of what families told us they needed — and we hope that local governments will leverage these resources to ensure their availability for families in the future.'
