Pathway of Children with autism in a Private Clinic in Surabaya

• Main Authors: Yuniar, Sasanti, Wibisono, Sasanto
• Format: Article PeerReviewed
• Language: English; English
• Published: The Asean Federation For Psychiatry and Mental Health 2006
• Subjects: R735-854 Medical education. Medical schools. Research
• Online Access: http://repository.unair.ac.id/63883/1/karil2.pathway.pdf; http://repository.unair.ac.id/63883/2/peerreview2.pdf; http://repository.unair.ac.id/63883/
• Institution: Universitas Airlangga

Autism is a very complex developmental disorder that affects the most central part of human behaviors; the inability to communicate, to interact socially and emotionally with others, and to have the skills and knowledge needed to take one's place in the society. It is one of the very important developmental disorders to be counted on these days, not to mention the relatively poorprognosis. The rate ofnew pDDs' cases increased more than two times within four years period. This data makes PDD, especially Autism, needs to have more serious attention. There is no study in the pattern of help seeking effort of parents whose child is autistic. On the contrary, there are evidence that some of the cases have been doctor-shopping or trying haditional or alternatives ways of treatment before. The report was based on Medical Records Review ofnewpatients at aprivate clinic during the period of January l,1998 to December 3 l, 200 l. This report contains of demographic data, sources of information about autism, distance between their residences and the clinic, sources of referral, previous treatments, and numbers of places they had visited before. Early case findings will lead to prompt treatment and a better prognosis. More therapy centers need to be established not only in big cities or in Java Island. A better understanding and knowledge of school-teacher concerning autism is important.