Blog - APEN

OCD in Autism: Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Autism Spectrum Disorder

17 January, 2026

Introduction Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are two different conditions, but they often occur together. Many parents, teachers, and caregivers find it difficult to understand whether repetitive behaviors are part of autism or signs of anxiety-related OCD. At APEN – Association for Persons with Exceptional Needs, we regularly support families, teachers, […]

Why the First Five Years Matter in a Child’s Brain Development. Dr Nadeem Ghayas

20 December, 2025

Scientific studies shows that child’s brain grows very fast in the early years of life. By the age of five, the brain reaches almost 90% of its adult size. This is why professionals give importance this period. They think that early care builds strong foundations as every area of development grows very fast. That’s why […]

SMALL ACTIONS MATTER : Dr Nadeem Ghayas

19 December, 2025

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos have given $5 million to an organization called the Neurodiversity Alliance. This organization supports neurodivergent students. The CEO of the Alliance David Flink explained that when people help others every day even in small ways those efforts can grow into something very big over time. […]

Behavior Interventions in Special Needs Classrooms : Dr Nadeem Ghayas

18 December, 2025

Behavior in students with special needs is often a form of communication rather than intentional misbehavior (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2020). Students with special needs have difficulty to communicates their needs, emotions or difficulties. They may display challenging behaviors due to communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation issues or cognitive impairments. As a remedy individualized […]

Therapies for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder : Special Educator focused insights – Dr Nadeem Ghayas

10 December, 2025

The content of this article is adapted from the original report “Therapies for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Behavioral Interventions – Update” published in 2014 by the Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center under the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). It is meant for doctors, therapists, teachers, researchers, and policymakers who work with children […]

International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

29 November, 2025

ہر سال دنیا بھر میں 3 دسمبر کو بین الاقوامی یومِ معذور افراد منایا جاتا ہے، جس کا مقصد خصوصی افراد کے حقوق، بہبود، شمولیت اور Accessibility کے بارے میں آگاہی پیدا کرنا ہے۔ اقوامِ متحدہ کے مطابق اس دن کو منانے کا بنیادی مقصد یہ ہے کہ دنیا جانے کہ معذوری کوئی کمزوری نہیں […]

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025. Dr Nadeem Ghayas

21 November, 2025

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed every year on 3rd December to raise awareness about disability rights and promote equality. Established by the United Nations in 1992, this day encourages global understanding of disability issues and fosters the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. In 2025, the focus is on […]

Understanding NT, ADHD, Autism, and AuDHD. Dr Nadeem Ghayas

21 November, 2025

Brains work in different ways. Some are neurotypical (NT), while others are neurodivergent, meaning they process thoughts, attention, and sensory information differently. Understanding these differences helps us appreciate everyone’s unique brain. Neurotypical (NT) Brains: NT brains think in a straight, steady line. People with NT brains can start a task, focus, and finish it […]

Autism and the Brain Dr Nadeem Ghayas

21 November, 2025

Autism is not a behavior problem. It is a neurodevelopmental condition, which means the brain develops and works in a different way from the beginning. These differences influence how a child communicates, learns, handles emotions, and responds to the world. When we understand the brain, we begin to see the child with more patience, empathy, […]

Intellectual Level in Cerebral Palsy: Understanding Cognitive Variations. Dr Nadeem Ghayas

19 November, 2025

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder primarily affecting movement, posture, and coordination due to brain injury or abnormal brain development. While CP is often associated with motor difficulties, its impact on cognitive functioning varies widely among individuals. It is important to recognize that CP does not automatically imply intellectual disability, and many children and […]