Kolkata: Akshay for three and a half years old has become a smart and happy child, until his parents pay attention to something wrong last year, six months into a pandemic.
The boy, a two and a half years old playschool student later, could not speak.
His parents who were confused seeking help from mental health institutions in the city, where it was revealed that sudden insulation from peers and elders in the family, because of the kuncian, has hampered the skills of the development of speech and language.
With the moon of speech therapy, game and group therapy, the boy can speak smoothly, like everyone else as he, and has a large group of friends with whom he regularly interacts.
Akshay case is not isolated.
Experts throughout the city said they had seen hundreds of similar cases because pandemics caused a significant decrease in social interaction.
“Due to Covid restrictions, there has been a lack of interaction with children from the same age and older individuals,” said Minu Buddhia, psychotherapists and founders of caring thoughts, where Akshay undergo therapy.
“Akshay, like many others, was cut off from the playing group, pre-school, and playground, where he could experience ‘normal’ activities.
This resulted in him only using the movement to communicate.
He will lead to objects or attract his parents’ clothes To get their attention.
“Social skills and the language of children develop through interaction with peers and adults, showing a psychiatrist J RAM.
“This is really threatened since the beginning of the pandemic.
Trapped at home, very young children have been forced into online classes, where virtual interactions and do not help develop speech skills or languages, leave only social skills.
Parents are also busy working from Their home and interaction with children diminish.
As a result, the development of basic skills has been hampered, “said RAM.
Pending speeches are now common among children two to three years old, said the Santanu Ray pediatrician.
“Fourth of the four children who had been treated since last year began to speak late or needed speech therapy.
Also, disorders such as autism and hyperactivity (lack of focus and concentration on assignments) was detected late, because children were no longer observed Continuously.
This before will be detected at school, “Ray added.
The best – and the only way to develop speaking and language skills is to talk to peers, who have been rejected to children since March 2020, said RAM.
“We call it a ‘servis-and-volley’ mechanism, where you talk to a child and child talk back to you.” Children need to immediately return to group activities, feel Buddhia.
“In the case of Akshay, the group therapy session provided an important social environment with children his age, while the speech therapy session gave him individual help.
Play therapy session uses toys, games, action stories, playing roles and interactions with mental health experts to create a safe space To explore and express his emotions non-verbally, “he said.
Under normal circumstances, this will occur naturally without assistance.
Experts see some light at the end of the tunnel, with schools set to reopen on November 16.
“But it will be for class IX to XII.
Those who are between three and six must go to school not only for studies but may be more to obtain language and social skills.
Children need a stimulating environment to learn social, language and adaptive skills.
This disappearance cannot be restored, “said RAM.