This Monday, October 17, the University Clinic of the Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC), has officially inaugurated its Sensory Integration Room. In this sense, they seek to offer a multidisciplinary treatment between the areas of Neuropsychology, Occupational Therapy and Psychology, to provide the best care to patients, regardless of their diagnosis. It is a pioneering project within the health system.

Since February 2022, the ward has been serving pediatric patients with different pathologies, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). However, it had not finished its construction until now. In this context, although most of the patients are small, the room is also open to people of any age range, “from premature infants to adults”, ensures Maria Sancho, occupational therapist at the Clinic. All this has been possible thanks to the collaboration of the FASD Visual Association and the rector of the URJC, Javier Ramos Lopez.

For its part, Robert Fernandes, neuropsychologist at the URJC University Clinic, shows that, when patients are referred to the Clinic, they carry out a diagnostic evaluation. “On the one hand, a neuropsychological assessment is made and on the other, a clinical assessment. Afterwards, both evaluations are put together to determine the clinical subtype of FASD that the patients present and, once we have the profile, we design the treatment program”. Likewise, Fernandes points out that the objective of both specialties is a common objective, “provide the patient with strategies and mechanisms for behavioral change that can reverse this impulsive symptomatology”.

To measure the effectiveness of the Sensory Integration Room on patients, Sancho states that “every case is different”. However, it recommends at least one weekly treatment, twice a week depending on the pathology. “What we do at the URJC Clinic is that one week they go to neuropsychology and another to occupational therapy. Sometimes we also combine it with psychology to make it a multidisciplinary treatment”.

En este sentido, Diego Gomez Costa, general director of the URJC University Clinic Foundation, has highlighted that, “Families with children who require special needs must be taught that they are people who come into this world to receive love and to give it, and if they are not taught in time it can lead to very hard events, both for patients and for those around them".

Disease detection

Currently, one of the greatest demands in the health field is the early detection of diseases. It is one of the most important shortcomings that exist today in terms of disability and health. This has been highlighted Mercedes of the Valley, president of the Visual Association TEAF. "For example, there are cases of children who are suspected of having an intellectual disability at a certain time, however, until they are diagnosed, early care becomes late", he says.

“Our children urgently require mental health care. Our goal is to get treatment subsidized, we need that help. Being cared for changes their lives.” shows Pillar Lagoon, representative of Visual TEAF and professor at URJC. For her part, Carmen Gallardo Pino, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the URJC, has shown her support in this regard.

Likewise, the mayor of the Alcorcón City Council, Natalia de Andres del Pozo, wanted to congratulate the Rey Juan Carlos University for this project. “I think it has been a brave bet for science and for the social welfare of the neighbors. I believe that this involvement of the university in the problems of society is very important, that is what makes us bring universities closer to citizens”.

“The goal that we should set ourselves at night before going to bed is to ask ourselves how much impact we have in improving the lives of those around us. Today we are facing a group of people who generate a great impact on people's lives”, concludes the rector of the URJC.

The University Clinic of the Rey Juan Carlos University combines the provision of health services of various specialties, at the highest scientific, human and professional level, with teaching and research activities for the degrees and postgraduate courses taught at the Faculty. of Health Sciences of the URJC.

About Visual FASD:

Visual TEAF is a national, non-profit association, made up of families affected by the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), who fight for the rights of the group. We make any project a reality that supposes an improvement in the quality of life of families with boys and girls with cognitive diversity, paying special attention to FASDs.

visualteaf.com