Mangaluru: Thank You Karnataka is a series of programmes organised to celebrate the decennial year of News Karnataka and thus thank Kannadigas all over the globe for supporting the Spear Head Media Group to achieve this milestone.
One of the programmes under Thank You Karnataka series is Walk the Special Path, a show promoting sensitivity, awareness and most importantly, social inclusion of disabled children, which is aired on Monday.
The guest of the fifth episode held on Monday October 31 is Dr. Joylene D’Almeida, Gynaecologist, Mangaluru, the topic for the discussion was Puberty in special needs children. The anchor person for the programme was Meena Noronha.
The programme premiered on NewsKarnataka.com’s YouTube Channel.
Dr. Joylene D’Almeida defined puberty and said, In special children, the puberty phase is a challenge to both child and parents.
Explaining the physical and psychosocial changes during puberty Dr. Joylene opined, “It is wrong on parents’ side to underestimate the understanding level of their child in discussing this stage of puberty.”
She also spoke about the emotional changes that happen during puberty and what are the measures parents have to undertake to deal with their special child. Dr. Joylene cautioned parents, “Try not to be judgmental and opinionated but rather listen to your child and understand their needs.”
“It is important to have hygiene kits and hygiene corners for special kids in their schools along with trying to make them independent in dealing with the menstrual phase. And the emotional cognition during menstruation is comparatively high in special needs children,” the doctor said.
Dr. Joylene D’Almeida advised the parents with special needs children to be by their child’s side to assist them in their needs rather than being a dominating parents. “It is important for parents to assure the kids, both boys and girls that the puberty changes are normal,” she stressed.
As a message to the audience, she said, “Never try to be a perfect parent. You are created perfect and so be happy and keep your children happy.”
Meena Noronha expressing gratitude signed off.
