Helping children with autism integrate and thrive.

With the development of society, the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is increasing, creating an urgent need for care, support, and inclusive education. In Quang Ninh, this issue is receiving growing attention from all levels of government, sectors, and the community.

Autism is not a curable disease, but rather a developmental disorder that affects a child's communication, behavior, and social interaction. According to experts, many autistic children are only brought for examination and intervention by their families when they reach school age. Late detection makes support more difficult, hindering the child's adaptation to the classroom environment and limiting their communication and participation in group activities.

Many parents share that, due to a lack of knowledge and experience, they initially assumed their children were simply slow to speak or exhibiting "difficult" behavior, leading to delays in seeking professional intervention. Meanwhile, the cost of long-term treatment and intervention also places a significant burden on many families.

Treatment for autistic children at Cam Pha Regional General Hospital.

From March 2025, Cam Pha Regional General Hospital officially launched its Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment Unit, under the Traditional Medicine and Rehabilitation Department. Treatment methods include: one-on-one teaching intervention, group intervention, speech therapy, movement therapy, and occupational therapy. Each child undergoes a medical assessment combined with a standard psychological test before an intervention plan is developed. The entire program is designed flexibly and individually according to the severity of the disorder, the child's learning ability, and their developmental pace. After each therapy session, intervention staff proactively discuss the child's progress with parents, including their level of cooperation, responsiveness, and learning, and suggest exercises and skills to support the child at home.

Dr. Tran Thi Yen shared: “When we first started, we faced a lot of pressure. Many children already had medical records from higher-level hospitals, diagnosed with severe autism spectrum disorder, making intervention quite difficult. However, with appropriate methods and the team's persistent close monitoring of each child, they gradually made significant progress. Some children have now integrated well into the community, which is the biggest motivation for us to continue maintaining this model.”

Meanwhile, at Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, since 2015, the hospital has established the Mental Health and Rehabilitation Unit, the first facility in the province to examine, diagnose, and treat autism and provide pediatric rehabilitation. Over 10 years of operation, the Mental Health and Rehabilitation Unit has treated many common mental and motor disorders in children using modern methods such as: psychotherapy, physiotherapy, music therapy, infrared therapy, massage and acupressure for treating facial paralysis (VII), speech therapy for children with cerebral palsy, speech stimulation using machines, electrotherapy, etc. With a high-quality team of doctors, nurses, and experts, the hospital has improved the effectiveness of interventions and treatments for many complex cases related to mental and motor disorders in children.

Treatment for children at Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.

According to psychologist Bui Thi Ngoc Linh (Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Unit, Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital): Effective intervention requires the participation of parents and professionals such as doctors, psychologists, and special education teachers. However, the family still plays a crucial role, accompanying the child throughout the treatment and intervention process. If children have the opportunity to be diagnosed and treated early, the impacts of autism will be greatly reduced, and integration into life in the future will be easier.

It can be seen that in recent years, the rate of autistic children has tended to increase. Therefore, maximizing the effectiveness of medical facilities and specialized care centers, in coordination with families and society, is the best way to help autistic children have the opportunity to integrate into life, embrace a better future, and thereby reduce the burden on families, communities, and society.

Van Anh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/giup-tre-tu-ky-hoa-nhap-va-phat-trien-tot-3390145.html