Neurodevelopmental Disorder ECHO
Blended Training Certificate Course on Intellectual Disability and Autism
Batches 1 & 2 Combined Impact
NIMHANS Digital Academy | Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Understanding Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders is an umbrella term covering disorders such as Intellectual Disability (previously termed Mental Retardation) as well as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Speech and Language Disorders, Motor and Coordination Disorders, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders.
The Treatment Gap Challenge
The National Mental Health Survey of India (NMHS) 2015-16 found a 70.5% treatment gap for Intellectual Disability in India.
Key Statistics:
- 0.6% of respondents were positive on screening assessment for ID
- Highest in age group 18-29 years (0.8%)
- Relatively higher among males (0.7%) and urban metro areas (0.9%)
What is Intellectual Disability?
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disability (AAIDD) defines Intellectual Disability as a disability characterized by:
- Significant limitations in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, and problem solving)
- Limitations in adaptive behavior (conceptual, social, and practical skills)
- Onset before age 18
- Steady course rather than remissions and relapses
Why This Course?
Given these statistics and the pervasive nature of functional impairment from neurodevelopmental disorders, there is a significant felt need for primary care physicians to be familiar with diagnostic, assessment, and management 'best practices' regarding these disorders.
This course is designed to encourage general practitioners in the community to manage ID and ASD with the larger aim of promoting early identification and intervention that are crucial for this condition.
VKN NIMHANS ECHO vs Traditional Telemedicine
❌ Traditional Telemedicine
- Focus is direct service delivery
- Usually one-to-one
- Unidirectional flow of information
- Single expert providing opinion
- The specialist manages the patient remotely
✓ VKN NIMHANS ECHO
- Focus is on education and capacity building
- One-to-many (hub and spokes)
- Multidirectional flow of knowledge
- Ongoing, based on learner's needs
- Multidisciplinary expert team providing mentoring
Combined Impact of Batches 1 & 2
Program Success Metrics Across Both Batches
Through Neurodevelopmental Disorder ECHO Batches 1 & 2, 46 accredited primary care physicians from Chhattisgarh are now equipped to identify developmental delays, diagnose Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder, and provide first-level interventions to over 26,000 children and their families, promoting crucial early identification and intervention.
Learning Objectives
On course completion, doctors should be able to:
- Identify normal and delayed developmental milestones in children
- Diagnose Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Implement "best practices" for the assessment and management of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Organize multi-disciplinary referrals, including to higher centers, as per the needs of the child
Program Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | Approximately 6 months Total: ~24 hours • 14 hours: Fortnightly Tele-ECHO clinics (Real-time) • 10 hours: Self-paced e-learning |
| Schedule | 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM (1.5 hours per session) |
| Eligibility | Intermediate Level: • Basic learning in Mental Health required • Completion of Diploma in Community Mental Health or similar program is essential • Not suitable for beginners with no background training in mental health |
| Target Audience | Primary Care Physicians Location: Chhattisgarh (funded by NHM Chhattisgarh) |
| Who Should NOT Enroll | • Experts or Specialists (Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Faculty) • Beginners with no mental health background |
| Method | Completely ONLINE - Blended Patient-Centric Learning • Real-time: Zoom video conferencing • Anytime: Self-paced (Google Classroom) |
| Program Fees | FREE Funded by NHM Chhattisgarh Commitment to time and participation is a must |
| Recognition | Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program |
Why Should You Join?
- It's Virtual - Save time and energy by learning from the convenience of your home/workplace with no commute
- It's Free - Part of democratizing knowledge in primary mental health through NIMHANS Digital Academy
- It's Self-Paced - Works for YOUR schedule, not the other way around
- It's Hassle-Free - Cloud-based software, no paperwork, data security ensured
- Best Practices at Your Fingertips - Access subject-matter experts via smartphone, laptop, or any device
- Immediate Responses - Queries answered within minutes to hours
- Fun with Learning - Connect with a growing forum of healthcare providers pan-India and build a Community of Practice
Accreditation Criteria
To receive the Completion Certificate, participants must fulfill ALL of the following criteria:
- Attendance: >60% participation in fortnightly sessions (Minimum 7 out of 9 sessions) with >60 minutes video presence per session (measured by software)
- Case Presentations: Presentation of 2 or more case summaries from Child and Adolescent age group with detailed history of developmental milestones
- Final Assignment: Score >80% (Three attempts allowed, each assignment to be completed within 3 working days)
- Monthly Reports: Submit monthly reports of patients evaluated for Mental Health for 6 months after training starts
- Post-assessment: Complete post-assessment on knowledge and self-efficacy at the end of three months
Important Notes:
- HIPAA compliant case intake form designed to protect patient privacy
- Within one month of last LIVE session, all submissions must be completed
- Three attempts allowed for final assignment (>80%)
- NO Certificate for Participation Only - must complete all accreditation criteria
10-Session Curriculum
Didactic: Dr. K John Vijaysagar | Case Demo by Hub Team
Reading: Normal Developmental Milestones, Learning video - Clinical approach to a child with ID & ASD
Didactic: Dr. Shabina, Dr. Eesha Sharma | 2 Case presentations
Reading: Etiology of ID and ASD (Genetic & Acquired)
Didactic: Dr. Prashant, Dr. Rajendra K M | 2 Case presentations
Reading: Differential diagnosis of ID
Self Practice Test 1
Didactic: Dr. Bikram, Dr. John | 2 Case presentations
Reading: Differential diagnosis of ASD
On hold due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Didactic: Mr. Kiran Kumar, Dr. Thomas | 2 Case presentations
Reading: Video on VSMS
Didactic: Dr. Utkarsh, Dr. Rajendra | 2 Case presentations
Reading: Learning Video - Developmental stimulation
Didactic: Dr. Sreyoshi Ghosh, Dr. Meera Shoba Srinath | 2 Case presentations
Self Practice Test 2
Didactic: Mr. Kiran Kumar CTL, Dr. Thomas Kishore | 2 Case presentations
Reading: Learning Video - Self-help skills and social skills
Didactic: Mr. Kiran Kumar CTL, Dr. Kavita Jangam | 2 Case presentations
Reading: Services and support for children with IDD & ASD, Indian policies and laws related to disability
Final Assignment
Key Topics Covered
- Developmental Milestones: Normal and delayed development
- Diagnosis: ID and ASD diagnostic characteristics and criteria
- Etiology: Genetic and acquired causes
- Differential Diagnosis: Distinguishing ID from ASD and other conditions
- Comorbidities: Associated conditions in ID and ASD
- Assessment Tools: VSMS (Vineland Social Maturity Scale) and other structured tools
- Pharmacological Interventions: Medication management in ID/ASD
- Developmental Interventions: Home-based and clinic-based approaches
- Age-specific Interventions: Young children vs older children
- Self-help and Social Skills: Practical training approaches
- Family Support: Psychosocial interventions for families
- Resources: Services, support centers, policies, and laws in India
Evaluation Framework
This program uses a comprehensive evaluation approach with six levels:
| Level | Focus | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1: Participation | Number of healthcare professionals who participated | iECHO Spark |
| Level 2: Satisfaction | Expectations about setting and delivery met | Zoom polls |
| Level 3: Learning | Knowledge demonstration | Assessments, assignments, case presentations, pre/post tests |
| Level 4: Competence | Application in educational setting | Self-efficacy reports (pre and post) |
| Level 5: Performance | Application in practice | Monthly reports (6 months), case types, qualitative data |
| Level 6: Patient Health | Impact on patient outcomes | Baseline and follow-up reports from parents, referral patterns |
Hub Team
Lead Facilitators and Specialists:
- Dr. Eesha Sharma - MD, Faculty, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NIMHANS (Lead Facilitator)
- Dr. Rajendra K - MD, DM, Faculty, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Lead Facilitator)
- Dr. Shabina Sheth - MD Psychiatry, Senior Resident, Project Chhattisgarh ECHO (Co-facilitator)
- Ms. Karishma - M.Phil, Psychiatry Social Work (Co-facilitator)
Support Team:
- Ms. Shivamma - MCA (Edutech Support)
- Ms. Akanksha Mathur - MPH (Data Analyst)
- Ms. Likhitha - B.Com (Clinic Coordinator)
Mentoring:
- Dr. K John Vijaysagar - Professor and Head, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NIMHANS
- Dr. Prabhat Chand - Professor of Psychiatry, Officer-in-Charge NIMHANS Digital Academy
Peer Review:
- Dr. Satish Girimaji - Senior Professor of Psychiatry, Dean of Behavioral Sciences, NIMHANS
- Dr. K John Vijaysagar - Professor and Head, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Dr. Prabhat Kumar Chand - Professor of Psychiatry, Officer-in-Charge NIMHANS Digital Academy
- Dr. Rakesh Kumar Premi - Medical Officer, DMHP, Chhattisgarh
Reference Materials
- Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Children With Mental Retardation - Dr. Satish Chandra Girimaji
- Clinical Practice Guidelines for Assessment and Management of Intellectual Disability - Dr. Thomas Kishore
- Effective Adult Learning: A Toolkit for Adults
ECHO Principles
The VKN NIMHANS ECHO model is built on four core principles:
- Use technology to leverage scarce resources (i.e., content experts)
- Share "best practices" to reduce disparities
- Use case-based learning to master complexity
- Monitor outcomes using a web-based database
Contact Information
For Content:
Dr. Shabina Sheth - 7043392868
For Technology:
Ms. Shivamma - 9738341309
Ms. Likhitha
Suggestions and Comments:
Dr. Prabhat Chand - MD, DNB, MNAMS
Email: pr*****@********ns.in
Building Capacity in Neurodevelopmental Care
Empowering primary care physicians to identify developmental delays, diagnose Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder, and provide first-level interventions for children and families.
Over 26,000 children and their families have benefited from early identification and intervention for ID and ASD through our 46 accredited physicians across Batches 1 & 2.