Welcome to the latest edition of 1SpecialPlace News of the Month, where we bring you updates on disorders, disabilities, therapy advancements, and inspiring success stories. Each month, we highlight key events, expert insights, awareness campaigns, and breakthroughs in speech therapy, occupational therapy, mental health, and special education. Stay updated on global initiatives, research, and community efforts making a difference. Join us in spreading awareness and celebrating progress in the world of therapy and inclusion.
Granules' stock rises more than 5% after the FDA in the US approves generic ADHD pills.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted generic manufacturer Granules final approval for their shortened new drug application for Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Capsules in various strengths, a medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Granules India reported on the U.S. FDA's approval of the ANDA of subsidiary Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc. (GPI) that the generic drug product is bioequivalent and therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug, Vyvanse Capsules, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, and 70 mg of Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
Read full article at thehindu
Ajit Pawar wishes everyone a happy Republic Day and announces free treatment for Guillain-Barre syndrome.
A rare health ailment known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome is characterized by abrupt muscle weakness and numbness. In Pune on Sunday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar raised the national flag in honor of the 76th Republic Day.
I extend my wishes to all the citizens in Maharashtra and India on this Republic Day," Pawar stated in his remarks. I also like to congratulate all of the Maharashtra President Medal and Padma recipients. Pawar made the following announcement regarding the growing number of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune: "The treatment for this issue is very expensive." Following conversations with representatives from the municipal corporation and district administration, we have made the decision to treat impacted residents for free. Patients from Pune Municipal Corporation regions will be treated in Kamla Nehru Hospital, while those from Pimpri-Chinchwad will be treated at YCM Hospital. Sassoon Hospital in Pune will offer free medical care to residents of rural areas.
Read full article at hindustantimes
An approach based on nanotechnology to treat Parkinson's illness
Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) have demonstrated that a hormone the brain produces in reaction to darkness may be improved by nano-formulation, which may also be a viable treatment for Parkinson's disease. After being treated to nano-formulation, the hormone known as melatonin shown enhanced anti-oxidative and neuroprotective qualities, which means that it prevented cell damage and preserved neurostructures and functions.
The pineal gland in the brain secretes the neurohormone melatonin, which controls the sleep-wake cycle and is used to treat insomnia. The process of creating a medication or combination of medications using nanotechnology to increase their therapeutic efficacy is known as nano-formulation.
Read full article at tribuneindia
Uttarakhand: Three People with Down Syndrome Who Shine in Powerlifting
Three young people from the state who have autism and Down syndrome have made the country proud by dominating powerlifting competitions on a national and worldwide scale. To accomplish this feat, Prithvi Shah Sengupta (18) from Dehradun, Aditya Gururani (22) from Haldwani, and Shivendra Dhoni (20) from Haldwani have overcome obstacles and preconceptions. At the 2024 Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships, which took place in Tashkent from December 2–10, Prithvi and Aditya—both of whom have been diagnosed with Down syndrome—won gold in the 66kg and 83kg divisions, respectively. While Prithvi had previously won bronze at the World Open Equipped Powerlifting Championship in Iceland in November, Aditya was making her international debut.
Read full article at timesofindia
Boman Irani’s Inspiring Journey: From Waiter to Bollywood Star at 44, Overcoming Dyslexia and Speech Challenges
The inspirational path of actor Boman Irani demonstrates that it's never too late to follow your ambitions. After overcoming speech difficulties, dyslexia, and a modest beginning as a server, he succeeded in photography before getting a part in Munna Bhai MBBS at the age of 44. He is now a well-known Bollywood celebrity with a successful career and an amazing filmography.
Boman Irani's Career and Journey: Boman Irani's ascent to prominence is quite remarkable. He has become one of Bollywood's most adored actors after overcoming several obstacles, including as a learning handicap, low self-esteem, and a modest upbringing. Due to his flawless talent and adaptable performances, he is now not only a millionaire but also a well-known figure in the profession.
Read full article at etnownews
After hearing the Taare Zameen Par script, Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta discovered that their son Junaid had dyslexia.
Junaid Khan revealed that his parents, Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta, had a suspicion that he was dyslexic after reading the script for Taare Zameen Par. Junaid Khan, who debuted in 2024 with the Netflix movie Maharaj, recently talked about receiving a dyslexia diagnosis at the age of six. The son of Aamir Khan and his first wife, Reena Dutta, Junaid revealed that after hearing the script for the movie Taare Zameen Par, which portrays a dyslexic child, his parents realized he needed some treatment.
He went on to say that his parents were never concerned about him getting good grades in school because he had a lot of aid early on.
When asked if his parents were severe about his schoolwork in a video interview with Vickey Lalwani on his YouTube channel, Junaid said that this wasn't the case in his home. "My parents weren't picky about my performance. Early on, I was also diagnosed with dyslexia. Therefore, I believe they were aware of that, particularly in education," he said.
Read full article at indianexpress
Admissions to Delhi private schools for pupils with special needs and low incomes begin on February 3.
Private schools in Delhi Admissions in 2025: In an effort to promote inclusive education, Delhi's private schools will start accepting students in the EWS and DG categories, with precise age requirements for kindergarten, first grade, and first grade. The rules are designed to give everyone the same chances. Admissions for entry-level classes in private schools under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), disadvantaged groups, and children with special needs categories will open on February 3, 2025, according to the Delhi Directorate of Education's (DoE) 2025–2026 Delhi Private Schools Admission Guidelines.
Read full article at indiatoday
Online Education: How Students With Special Needs Are Overcoming Obstacles Thanks to Assistive Technologies
Online education began as a substitute, serving students who required flexibility, a break from strict schedules, or an addition to conventional education. However, they now serve as lifelines for students who have traditionally encountered structural obstacles in the educational system. These virtual classrooms are more than just learning environments for students with special needs.
Bridges to equity are what they are. Personalized learning—a system that listens as well as adapts—is at the heart of this change. This method offers customized help using pace-adjusting algorithms, adaptive courseware that adapts to individual learning styles, and inclusive interfaces. However, not all of the obstacles can be overcome by individualized learning alone. Let's talk about assistive technologies.
Read full article at timesofindia
Children with autism can benefit from creative movement therapy.
The cornerstone of human connection, according to Prakash M. Halami, chief scientist and head of the Department of Microbiology and Fermentation Technology at CFTRI, Mysuru, on Thursday, is communication. Effective self-expression, however, can be a difficult undertaking for those with speech and hearing impairments. This is the role of creative movement therapy (CMT), a novel and distinctive method that combines dance, movement, and body awareness to improve cognitive function, emotional health, and communication, he said.
Read full article at thehindu
According to Bill Gates, his autistic characteristics enabled him to co-found Microsoft: "Deep focus turned into a strength."
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has stated that if he had been evaluated today, he probably would have received an autistic diagnosis as a child. The 69-year-old revealed details about his early behaviors that he now recognizes as being linked to autism in an interview with The Wall Street Journal prior to the publication of his memoir Source Code.
"This whole thing of Asperger's or on the spectrum is a fairly new thing, you know?" Gates clarified. Autism used to have a very specific definition that was easy to identify, he added. He thought about his propensity to avoid social situations and his rocking habits, which he admits may have been interpreted as self-soothing behaviors associated with autism. "However, this notion that if you're a sluggish socializer—you know, I have a way of rocking that annoys people—is also a typical so-called self-esteeming thing. He continued, "So I thought, 'Wow, there's a little pattern match there.
Read full article at hindustantimes
A researcher of Indian descent has discovered a gene connected to autism and seizures.
A group of researchers lead by Viji Santhakumar, a neuroscientist and researcher of Indian descent, have discovered a gene that plays a role in the behavioral abnormalities linked to epilepsy and autism spectrum condition. The gene, known as neuropilin2, is essential for controlling the growth of neuronal circuits and encodes a receptor involved in cell-cell interactions in the brain.
The study outlines a course for future therapies targeted at reducing the difficult symptoms of these commonly co-occurring disorders. It was published in Nature Molecular Psychiatry. Although neuropilin2 mutations have been connected in the past to neurological illnesses like autism and epilepsy, the underlying causes of these disorders are still unknown. To investigate the consequences of removing the neuropilin2 gene, Santhakumar and her colleagues at the University of California Riverside developed a mouse model. According to their research, the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain is upset when neuropilin2 is absent because it interferes with the migration of inhibitory neurons.
"An elevated risk of seizures and autism-like behaviors result from this imbalance," explained Santhakumar, a professor of molecular, cell, and systems biology.
Read full article at ddnews
Emirates' efforts to facilitate air travel for individuals with autism
According to a press statement on Wednesday, January 8, the Middle Eastern airline teaches more than 30,000 cabin crew members under the new "Introduction to Autism and Hidden Disabilities" training, marking a step towards making air travel easier for individuals with autism. In the following months, the international airline will formally get the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
In order to enhance the travel experience for clients on the autism spectrum as well as their families and companions, the company also intends to implement new guidelines and services. According to the statement, Emirates stated that these plans should be revealed later in 2025.
Read full article at livemint
PGI announces auditory brainstem implant surgery for hearing loss in Chandigarh.
During the first two days of the Asia-Pacific Auditory Brainstem Implant workshop, PGIMER trained the surgeons on how to operate on these implants. An innovative therapeutic option for people with hearing loss, auditory brainstem implant (ABI) surgery, is about to be introduced by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER).
A three-year-old from Himachal Pradesh and two children, ages five and six, from Uttar Pradesh are among the three patients scheduled for the procedure. This time, ENT and neurosurgery surgeons will do the procedure independently, while PGIMER previously carried it out in 2022 under the supervision of Dr. Mohan Kameswaran.
Read full article at hindustantimes
Fighting Hearing Loss Caused by Noise: Dr. Shree Rao Launches the Deafness Free India Campaign
Imagine living in a world where you are unable to hear your favorite song, the voice of a loved one, or the morning birdsong. It may surprise you to learn that by 2030, more than 50 crore individuals globally may be deprived of these life's joys because of hearing loss. Over 100 crore people worldwide are at risk of permanent hearing loss as a result of ubiquitous smartphones, frequent use of headphones, and ongoing exposure to loud noises. Dr. Shree Rao, an award-winning ENT specialist and skilled ear surgeon at Dr. Rao's ENT Hospitals, says, "This is a silent epidemic, one we all are currently ignoring but can totally prevent with the right awareness and care."
Noise Induced Hearing Loss, or NIHL, is one of the most prevalent but avoidable types of hearing loss. Long-term exposure to loud noises can develop NIHL, an irreversible disorder that damages the sensitive hair cells in our inner ears permanently. Regretfully, NIHL is becoming a more significant issue in India, particularly for young adults in the workforce and teenagers. Due to their regular exposure to loud music through headphones, children are more vulnerable. Nearly 17% of kids in the US exhibit symptoms of NIHL, and young people in India are doing the same. The issue is exacerbated by ubiquitous noise pollution in addition to hearing loss brought on by device use.
Read full article at tribuneindia
Himani Bundela's remarkable tale: From KBC's First Visually Impaired Crorepati to a Lighthouse of Hope for the Divyang
Kaun Banega Crorepati, the legendary game show on television, continues to honor life-changing experiences with its "Gyan Ka Rajat Mahotsav." Himani Bundela, KBC's first vision impaired crorepati, is the subject of one of the season's most touching tales. Her life is an example of tenacity, inspiration, and a dedication to serving others.
In the special segment "Kahani Jeet Ki," Himani's remarkable journey is highlighted. Himani, who works as a primary school teacher, has always been committed to helping divyang (differently abled) pupils. She had the means and platform to follow this desire after winning on KBC, which greatly enhanced her pleasure and sense of purpose in life. Himani's tale exemplifies her tenacity since she decided to commit herself to bettering the lives of others in the community despite the obstacles that come with being a disabled woman. She has remarkably refused to receive treatment for her handicap, arguing that the funds would be better utilized to support children with disabilities.
Read full article at timesofindia
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