Pixie by SKS Hospital, Salem, Tamil Nadu, 636004
90923 23414
Child & Adolescent
Psychiatrist in Salem

7+ Years of Experience. Helping Young Minds Thrive. Need consultation? Drop a message!

Early Intervention Makes a
Difference in Autism

7+ Years of Experience. Evidence-based Autism treatment specialist in Salem!

About Doctor - Child Psychiatrist in Salem

Dr. Shinika R is a passionate Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Salem. She works with the vision to promote and protect mental health of children and adolescents.

She underwent her Child and Adolescent Psychiatry training from the prestigious Christian Medical College, Vellore.

She has more than 7 years of experience in working with children and adolescents as Autism specialist & ADHD doctor in Salem.

She was instrumental in developing the whole Psychiatry Unit including Child Development Unit at Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore.

She is currently working as the Head of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department at SKS Hospital, Salem.

Doctor
5,000+
Happy Patients
7+
Years of Experience
5+
Awards
Areas of special interest
  • Early interventions in Autism spectrum disorders
  • Identification and management of various Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Adolescent depression
  • Parenting program
  • Life skills training in children and adolescent
services
Assessments and Interventions will be offered for the conditions below:
  • Developmental delay/disability
    When a child has not attained milestones at appropriate age,
  • Autism
    Children presenting with following red flag signs needs to be,
  • Intellectual Disability
    If the child is having academic difficulties together with,
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
    When a child has not attained milestones at appropriate age.
  • Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
    SLD is a condition wherein child’s reading, writing and,
  • Stuttering
    Disturbance in the normal fluency of speech characterized,

Developmental Delay/Disability

When a child has not attained milestones at appropriate age, the child would require screening for developmental delay.
Following indicate developmental delay
  • Child not walking by 1.5 years
  • Child not speaking single words by 1.5 years
  • Child not speaking two-word phrases by 2 years
Developmental assessments will be done. And early interventions will be offered to children with developmental delay.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Children presenting with following red flag signs needs to be screened for Autism.
Symptoms of Autism
  • No social smile by 6 months
  • No pointing or actions (including waving bye-bye) by 1 year
  • No name call response by 1 year
  • No single words by 1.5 years
  • No two-word phrases by 2 years
  • Regression at any age (i.e. child losing an attained milestone)
Early interventions including behavioural interventions will be offered for children with ASD. Consult best Autism doctor in Salem, today!

Intellectual Disability

If the child is having academic difficulties together with poor socio-adaptive skills, then child’s Intellectual functioning needs to be checked. IQ assessments will be done and appropriate services will be provided.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Child with ADHD will present with inattention and hyperactivity.
Following are the symptoms of Inattention:
  • Forgetfulness in daily activities
  • Makes careless mistakes while writing/ school work
  • Difficulties in staying focussed on a task
  • Fails to finish school work on time
  • Difficulty in organizing activities (difficulties in keeping belongings in order, messy)
  • Frequently loses things at school (notebooks, stationary etc.)
Following are the symptoms of hyperactivity
  • Always “on the go”
  • Running and climbing around, sustaining injuries often
  • Talkative
  • Difficulty in sitting in the class room during the class hour
  • Difficulty in waiting in a line
Early intervention is critical in improving patient outcomes for those with ADHD. Consult best ADHD specialist in Salem, today!

Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

SLD is a condition wherein child’s reading, writing and Maths skills are two grades below.
For example;
  • if a child is in class V and child’s reading skills are equivalent to class III, then child will require screening for Specific Learning Disability.
Remedial interventions will be offered for such children.

Stuttering

Disturbance in the normal fluency of speech characterized by sound and syllable repetitions and sound prolongations of consonants as well as vowels.
Child Guidance Clinic
  • Childhood Depression
  • Anxiety Disorder
  • Gaming Disorder/ Internet Addiction
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  • Paediatric Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Children present with symptoms of irritability, anger outbursts, feeling sad, crying spells, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite and food intake.
  • Also, these symptoms cause decline in scholastic performance.
  • Combination of Anti-depressants together with cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) will be offered to these children.
  • Children present with constant worries (worries about family, finishing school work etc.), restlessness, difficulty in falling asleep.
  • And these symptoms affect child’s functioning at school and at home.
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) sessions will be offered for children with anxiety disorder.
  • Children spend excessive time on gaming/internet, and inability to abstain from the same.
  • Thereby causing academic decline and problems in inter-personal relationships with parents/peer group.
  • Children with ODD present with anger, irritability, arguing and defiance towards parents in home environment.
  • These behavioural issues cause serious problems with family.
  • Parent Management Training will be offered to children with ODD.
  • Children present with repeated hand washing behaviour, repetitive writing, re-writing, and compulsive checking if book is kept in the bag.
  • These repetitive behaviours are due to recurrent thinking which they couldn’t control.
  • ERP (Exposure and Response Therapy) together with CBT will be offered to these children.
educational videos
Patients Testimonials
I, as a mother of a teenage child is full of appreciation for Dr Shinika, child and adolescent psychiatrist. My child, myself and my family as a whole thrives in her guidance , and professional support that we keep receiving from her. I being a doctor myself, understand deeply the amount of great experience she brings in the field of adolescent psychiatry. Her calm, patient , support to my child has been invaluable and continues to uplift her in many ways to cope with life fruitfully. The days that as a family we have gone through are not uncommon, and unknown to many parents like us. In those difficult days professionals like Dr Shinika brought us light and hope. She gently helped us sail through the high tides and each day brings us closer to the shore. I sincerely wish children and parents with mental health issues access her support and technical knowledge as early into the disease as possible . I would continue to keep dr shinika by my and my child s side for ever. May get healing reach out to lighten up thousands of lives.🙏 - Happy Parent
At age of 4, we find our kid is hyperactive and has difficulty in playing with peer groups. As like most of the parents we thought he is little naughty and it will reduce with years. But when he started schooling then we realised that something is not ok and he is having difficulty in learning. Without any second thought and stigma we consulted paediatric psychiatrist Dr. Shinika ( who is a close friend of mine) and diagnosed to have some spectrum of neuro developmental disorders. Even though we are doctors initially it was little difficult for us to accept from parents perspective. But their personalised approach with comprehensive and compassionate care my child ADHD symptoms drastically reduced and he is also showing good improvement in his academics. We noticed remarkable change in our family’s life. I highly recommend parents to come out of social stigma and to seek the support and expertise available at correct time for your child’s future. - Happy Parent
Doctor was very friendly and I felt comfortable with her,she treated us very humble,she was not like others she gave tablets from low to high dose as per patient condition,we can trust her so share my feelings in my mind to her,overall she was like a friend to me more than as a Doctor. - Susn S
Such a gracious doctor who understood my issue and gave me confidence that i’ll recover soon and get back to my routine. I have recovered so much within a month. Thank you so much mam. - Joshika Ashokan
I was in a worst state with more self harming and suicidal thoughts when I came to Dr.shinika initially. Been battling depression for more than a year, I have recovered at a faster rate than expected. Thanks to her now I am confident to live my life unveiling my inner child. - Jayamani Ravi
One of the best doctors in SKS hospital, salem... It is the best time to suggest her to get good results... Very satisfied. - Mohan
Dr.Shinika is a marvelous psychiatrist. She cures her patients with patience. She encourages and develps the condition of patients by presenting rewards to them. She gives her most level best to cure her patients. She implys unique technical strategies, according to the condition and personal mentality of a patient. Therefore, she is best recommendable psychiatrist. - Niki Kavi
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faqs

Yes, those are common symptoms of anxiety disorders in children. A consultation can help determine the best course of action.

Parent Mediated interventions and medications are the treatment options available for ADHD children.

Treatment time varies depending on the condition and severity. The doctor will discuss a personalized timeline during the consultation.

The doctor can provide specific recommendations based on your child's needs. However, general tips often include maintaining a routine, open communication, and positive reinforcement.

Teenagers do go through emotional changes, but persistent withdrawal and sadness could be signs of depression or another issue. A consultation can help rule out any underlying conditions.