The Millstone Times August 2019

KIDS & CAMP Can Tonsils Grow Back? By Brianna Siciliano

Tonsils, two lumps of tissue that fight germs for your body, can be prone to infections, causing individuals to feel ill very often. If this is the case for you (or a family member), a tonsillectomy may be the best option. Tonsils are surgically removed during a tonsillectomy, and individuals are usually less prone to sore throats or breathing issues at night once the procedure is done. Is it possible for tonsils to grow back after this surgery? Unfortunately, yes! During a tonsillectomy, most of the tonsils are removed (keyword: most). There is a chance that tissue will remain in an individual’s throat after surgery, and that tissue can regenerate (even if there is only a small amount of remaining tissue). Tonsils growing back are not very common. It will take a long time for tissue to grow, therefore if tonsils do begin to grow back, it is very unlikely they will ever grow back to their original size. Tonsils regrowing are very uncommon, but getting strep infections or sore throats after removing your tonsils are not as uncommon. Do not be under the impression that because an individual has had his or her tonsils removed, he or she will

never suffer from a throat infection again. That is false. It is still possible to get throat infections once tonsils are removed, but usually, these infections are not as severe as they could have been before the tonsils were removed. If you (or your child) begin having chronic throat infections, or notice symptoms of sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about the possibility of your (or your child’s) tonsils regrowing.

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be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, patients must have three symptoms (called criteria) regarding socialization and communication and two symptoms of restrictive or repetitive behaviors. With improved awareness of the diagnostic criteria and assessment tools that can identify potential signs of autism at younger ages, children can be referred to the appropriate therapeutic services at earlier stages of their development. This enables us to improve the overall trajectory of their development and progress in school and their long-term prognosis for life. More Services for Better Treatment Over the last 15 to 20 years, there’s been a concerted effort nationwide to integrate behavioral health services to address treatment needs related to ASD and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. There is a growing focus on linking children who exhibit developmental delays involving social skills and speech and language skills with early intervention services and, if appropriate, transition them to specialized preschool programs. These services can provide critical, evidenced-based services, such as social skills training, applied behavioral analysis, and speech and language therapy, which are important for optimizing their progress in school and in the community. As a parent, it’s only natural to want the best for your child, and it can sometimes be difficult to understand the recommendations and “take home” points from an autism evaluation. If your medical provider indicates that your child may meet the criteria for autism, you may want to get a goal-standard evalua- tion, such as an Autism Diagnostic Inventory or Autism Diagnosis Observation Schedule, as the next step in the assessment process. These are assessments that are used to determine if someone meets diagnostic criteria for ASD. You also can request a child study team evaluation from your child’s school. If the child study team agrees to do an assessment for individualized education program (IEP) services as part of their comprehensive evaluation, an autism evaluation could be included. In addition to getting the right diagnosis and the right treatment services in place, talk with your provider about your fears and concerns and identify key members of your support system. Some helpful interventions include looking for support groups in your area or tapping into the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network for help. Resources for children with autism are expanding and access is improving. You can improve your child’s overall prognosis by getting services in place as early as possible. With the right interventions, children with autism can enjoy a great quality of life and develop the tools they need to achieve their goals. Looking Back—And Ahead My perspective on autism has changed dramatically over the past two decades. My understanding of autism spectrum disorder is far deeper, and I’m opti- mistic that patients on the spectrum will live positive, productive lives. In my practice, I have seen patients with autism successfully graduate high school and go on to earn college degrees. I’ve seen patients secure jobs through educational and vocational training programs, and I look forward to seeing these patients get married and start families of their own. In fact, the tenacity and intensity that’s inherent in many individuals with autism is one of the most positive aspects of the disorder. With increasing awareness and ongoing development of behavioral health programs for children with autism, there are more options for these individuals to learn, earn, build relationships, and become positive, admirable role models. Ankur Desai, MD, is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist on staff at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, N.J. He also maintains a private where he provides outpatient medication management and psychotherapy services for children and adults. Dr. Desai can be reached by calling 866-CENTRA7.

78 The Millstone Times

August 2019