Dr. Shamanthakamani NarendranMD (Pead), PhD (Yoga Science)

YOGA THERAPY FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN

Inverted poses Psychic union pose (Viparitakarani) Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana) Fish Pose (Matsyasana) Plough pose (Halasana)

Standing poses Hands to Feet pose (Padahastasana) Triangle pose (Trikonasana)

Flow of blood to the brain is enhanced and brain cells are stimulated by yogasanas

improve concentration

Balancing poses Tree pose (Vrksasana), Half Moon pose (Ardha Chandrasana) Headstand (Sirsasana)

physical flexibility & self confidence

Postures to increase physical flexibility: Surya Namaskars done with coordinated

breathing.

Back bending poses: Cobra pose (Bhujangasana) Camel pose (Ushtrasana) Wheel pose (Chakrasana) (help enhance

their levels of self confidence and also body posture).

Breathing exercises Dog breathing, Rabbit breathing, Lion breathing, Tiger breathing, Cat stretch.

om shanti om…

It is tough to teach these kids meditation, even though it is the most crucial aspect of Yoga for better brain functioning.

For this reason incantations of Aaah, Uuuh, Mmm, and OM besides loud chanting of longer mantras help bestow the same effect in these kids.

mentally challenged

Subaverage cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors with onset before the age of 18.

A mentally challenged child is able to pick up things at a far slower rate than normal kids.

At maturity that person’s capability for understanding and learning will also be far lower than average.

(Intelligence Quotient) IQ!!!

IQ indicates a person's mental abilities relative to others of approximately the same age.

IQ - Equation

Potential that denotes their skill in handling different circumstances is called the Mental Age (MA).

Their real age is called the Chronological Age (CA).

Calculated by multiplying Mental Age (MA) with 100, and then dividing the number with the Chronological Age (CA) is the Intelligence Quotient (IQ).

IQ = (100*MA) / CA

classification

Mild

Moderate

Severe and profound handicaps.

educable

classification of mentally subnormal

< 20 Profound mental retardation (highly severe)

20 – 34 Severe mental retardation

35–49 Moderate mental retardation (trainable)

50 – 69 Mild mental retardation (educable)

70 – 79 Borderline intellectual functioning

Grading of IQ

< 20 Idiot 20 – 49 Imbecile 50 – 69 Moran 70 – 79 Backward 80 – 89 Dullard 90 – 109 Normal 110 – 119 Superior 120 – 139 Very superior 140 + Genius

CAUSES

Several biomedical, Sociocultural and Psychological factors.

Prenatal (during pregnancy), Natal (during birth), and Postnatal (after birth).

prenatal causes

Metabolic conditions in the fetus like phenylketonuria, Galactosemia, Mucopolysaccharidosis.

Neurodegenerative disorders Chromosomal disorders like Down's

syndrome, Klinfelter syndrome Tuberous sclerosis. Cretinism Maternal conditions like drug abuse,

intrauterine infections, placental insufficiency or exposure to radiation during pregnancy.

natal factors

Birth injuries Hypoxic, ischemic encephalopathy Intracerebral hemorrhage

postnatal factors

Infections of the central nervous system Head injuries Post vaccination encephalopathies Jaundice Hypoglycemia Hypoxia Malnutrition

Iron deficiency Child abuse Autism.

predisposing factors

Low socioeconomic status, low birth weight, advanced maternal age and consanguinity of parents

Associated with an increased risk for mental retardation in the children.

DIAGNOSIS

Complete general and neurological examination must be carried out by the physician.

IQ testing should be done. Down's syndrome, cretinism and other

conditions should be ruled out. Urine tests for metabolic disease like

phenylketonuria and galactosemia are done in familial cases of mental retardation.

SYMPTOMS

Learning disabilities, Hyperactivity, Distractibility, Short span of

attention,

Poor concentration Poor memory, Impulsiveness, Awkward clumsy movements,

Disturbed sleep, Emotional instability Low frustration

tolerance.

Associated defects of the bone, muscle, vision, speech and hearing are often found in the mentally handicapped children.

Congenital birth defects, apart from the neurological system may be found if the cause is prenatal.

Convulsions (fits) are common in the mentally handicapped children.

Investigations to rule out hypothyroidism are also done.

Radiological investigations like CT and MRI scans are helpful in revealing brain abnormalities like leukodystrophies, cerebral atrophy, hydrocephalus, tuberous sclerosis and other conditions.

PREVENTION

Genetic counseling: Risk of recurrence in autosomal recessive disorders is high in consanguineous marriages. Parents should be informed about the possibility of prenatal diagnosis. Mothers older than 35 years should have antenatal screening for Down's syndrome.

Rubella vaccine should be given to all girls to prevent this infection in first trimester of pregnancy.

During pregnancy teratogenic drugs, hormones, iodides and antithyroid drugs should be avoided. Mothers should be protected from contact with patients suffering from viral illness.

During labor, good obstetric supervision is essential to prevent occurrence of birth injuries.

Neonatal infection of the central nervous system should be diagnosed early and treated promptly. Jaundice should be managed correctly. Iron deficiency should be treated in the early childhood.

MANAGEMENT

To strengthen areas of reduced function To prevent or minimize further cognitive

deterioration. Interventions should begin early and be

sustained. Goals should be appropriate and

achievable. Approach should be collaborative and

multidisciplinary.

In the teen years, an emphasis should be placed on vocational goals, including social adaptation, and vocational professionals should be part of the multidisciplinary team.

general measures

Requires ongoing health surveillance similar to normal children.

Developmental, academic, and psychosocial progress should be monitored.

Slower developmental progress should be expected with increasing severity of cognitive-adaptive disability.

Parents should be counseled together. Diagnosis of the child should be fully

explained to them, and also the prognosis. Principles of management should be

explained in detail. Parental feelings and the home situation

should also be discussed. Mentally retarded child needs the same

basic care as any other child.

Physiotherapy is often also needed. Anticonvulsant treatment is prescribed for

seizures. Specific management of metabolic and

endocrine disease should be done. Children need warmth, love and

appreciation, as well as discipline. Institutionalization should be avoided. Day care centers and schools and

integrated schools are useful.

Thank You