More Clinical Psychologists Needed To Assist Autism Spectrum Disorder Children

By Yasmin Ahmad Zukiman PUTRAJAYA, April 23 (Bernama) -- More clinical psychologists, especially developmental paediatricians, are needed at government hospitals to assist doctors to provide full diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children, says a paediatrician. Paediatric Institute of Hospital Kuala Lumpur Developmental Paediatrician, Dr Ranjini S. Sivanesom said the health ministry should consider placing more clinical psychologists at government hospitals to assist the paediatricians to look into the disorder. "The public should not just expect the doctors to look into the disorder profile because psychosocial issues need to be addressed, as well," she told Bernama on the sidelines of the two-day International Seminar on Autism Malaysia 2014, which entered its last day here Wednesday. Dr Ranjini, who is among the local speakers featured at the seminar, presented a paper entitled, 'DSM-V and Effect on Diagnosis and Intervention'. The seminar organised by Permata, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and New York-based autism organisation, Autism Speaks, was attended by 1,000 local and foreign participants. Dr Ranjini also pointed out that the appointment for patients would take some time for scheduling, approximately six months and above. "Plus, it takes about three hours to see one patient so that developmental paediatricians do not miss anything on the assessment. "Here, it shows that the time-frame to see the doctors is also difficult. Thus, we need help from the clinical psychologist," she noted. ASD is characterised by deficits in two core domains which are deficits in social communication and social interaction and restricted repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. -- BERNAMA