English Translation below.
YouTube video - https://youtu.be/0bd4gs56fIY
Pada peringatan Hari Kesadaran Autisme Sedunia, 2 April lalu, Warna warni Indonesia Show, mewawancarai dr. Gitayanti Hadisukanto Sp. KJ (K) Spesialis Kedokteran Jiwa dan konsultan psikiatri anak dan remaja, di Rumah Sakit Pondok Indah Jakarta Selatan.
Simak wawancara selengkapnya, dalam video singkat berikut ini.
In commemorating World Autism Awareness last month, we have interviewed a psychiatrist from Pondok Indah Hospital Jakarta, Dr. Gitayanti Hadisukanto.
Let us hear the full conversation with English subtitles.
Lea: Doctor Gitayanti, what is the cause of Autism and how do we know that a child has autism?
Dr. Gitayanti: Autism is a genetic problem, however, there is still ongoing research about this but here are some genes that interact with each other that could cause autism. And there is also a risk factor like when the mother is pregnant, she got infected by some viruses like toxoplasma, rubella, etc. These could be a risk factor. Also, if the blood of the mother for example is positive and the baby is negative, this also might cause autism.
Lea: Is there any symptoms we can see from the new born baby if they have autism or can we only see it when the child is few years old?
Dr. Gita: We can see if the child has autism or not, these symptoms we can normally see if they have reached 2-3 years old. Or there is another type of autism which we call regressive autism, that is sometimes we can see a child grows normal at the age of 1 or 2 years old, and then suddenly the development is just stopped or even decreasing. And there are three symptoms of autism; the main symptom is the delayed speech. They don’t talk like a normal child would talk. Some of them don’t even talk. 2. The reciprocal interaction, that is exchange interaction of the child with autism is very minimum. For example, no eye contact, or they don’t respond when someone is talking to them. 3. Limited interest. For example they only play with the toy they like. Also repetitive actions such us jumping, walking up and down and open or close the door.
Lea: Is there any special diet that a parent with autistic child should pay attention to?
Dr. Gita: There is no specific evidence about a specific diet, however, from the experience of treatment, some of foods effect the behavior of the child with autism. Such as chocolate, it would make the autistic patient more active and they do not sleep, or make them aggressive. Also sweet things, gluten, or dairy product also might affect their behavior.
Lea: Is there a cure for autism Doctor?
Dr. Gita: Autism is a mental disorder, so it cannot be totally ‘cured’. However, the symptoms can be minimized by attending therapy, or avoiding the food that would affect their behavior. But normally the symptoms will not be 100% cured, there might be still one or two symptoms that remain, however, it might be very minimal.
Lea: Doctor, would you like to give advice for the parents who have children with autism?
Dr. Gita: First of all parents need to be aware of the autism. Some parents might be shocked when their child is diagnosed with autism. They sometimes look around for another affirmation and forgetting the child needs treatment. So the awareness and acceptance of the parents are very important so the child could get treatment as soon as possible.
Lea: Thank you for your time doctor
Dr. Gita: You are welcome and good morning.
