24 of over 5K children in Central Visayas test positive for autism
TWENTY-FOUR out of the more than 5,000 children in the Central Visayas tested positive for autism.
The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7) said a study on the prevalence of autism among children aged 18 to 36 months is being conducted.
“We have screened 5,272 children in the region and 24 of them tested positive for autism,” DOH 7 medical officer Dr. Josie Ann Danes said.
Danes said they are now in the final phase of the study and hopefully, they will finish it within this year.
Danes said at least 12 local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas participated in the study. Seven of these LGUs are from Cebu.
“Katong ma-positive sa screening, ipatan-aw nato sa pediatrician for further diagnosis (Those who tested positive will be brought to the pediatrician for further diagnosis),” she said.
“They will then be referred to the speech center or therapy center depending on the diagnosis,” she added.
Danes said the study is funded by the National Children’s Hospital, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development and the DOH, which gave P1 million.
Danes said autism can be detected among children aged 18 months old using a scanner.
She said early signs of autism are impairment in social interaction, communication, behavior and interest.
“If a child focuses on something nga ganahan niya balik-balikon unya dili siya mapul-an, that could be a sign (If a child focuses on something he likes and keeps on repeating without getting bored, that could be a sign),” she said.
She also said parents should give children with autism proper care and interaction.
“Angay ipatan-aw sa doktor ug dili ipatago (They should consult a doctor and not hide their children),” she said.
Danes said the cause of autism has yet to be determined but some studies have identified genetics as one of the factors.
Danes said global data show that one out of 88 people have autism.
“There is no cure for autism but we can help prevent it,” she said.
Danes said children with autism are under the persons with disabilities (PWDs) program and they have similar benefits and discounts with the PWDs.
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