Mrs. Saritha Nagaraj is a Psychologist to provides the highest quality developmental screening and assessment of pre-term infants who are at risk for developmental delay. The goal of early screening is early detection which further lays the foundation for early intervention and growth. Early identification can lead to timely intervention for children at risk of developmental delays. If support is provided early in a child’s life, it may negate or minimize the negative effect of a disability on the child’s development. Early intervention positively impacts children’s development, behavior, and performance, lessening the burden on the child, family, and society.

The transition to parenthood can bring with it a mixed bag of emotions. Everything from joy to anxiety can crop up in preparation for and with a growing baby bump. Counseling provides a safe space for mom-to-be to talk about concerns that aren’t always talked about before, during, or after pregnancy. It’s a chance for a woman to sort through any conflicting emotions and boost or reinforce her mental wellness with supportive care.

Mrs. Saritha Nagaraj also provides supportive care in terms of basic counseling to mothers in their prenatal and postnatal phases of transition. In terms of increased severity of issues, cases can then be referred for further evaluation and supportive therapy as required. The intent is to help parents recognize the resources and skills they already have to bring into their pregnancy and parenting. It is very rewarding to see a mother’s fears and uncertainties disappear as she realizes she can face her motherhood confidently.

Mrs. Saritha Nagaraj has a good experience of more than 14 years working with children and adults in the field of psychology and Research as a psychologist. She completed her Master’s in Psychology at Bangalore University, Karnataka. She Qualified for the National Eligibility Test (NET) for the Lectureship University Grants Commission. She has worked and accumulated rich experience from various institutions in India like NIMHANS, Army Selection Centre, Bangalore, St. John’s Hospital and Research Institute, Turning Point Centre for Psychological Assessment, Therapies, and Counselling.

Achievements:

· Trained on Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI) by Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum from Autism Research Centre, University of Alberta 2020.

· Second author in the poster on “Development of an Instrument to Identify Early Features of Autism using an Operational Research Design” (ESComS) that was selected for the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Conference 2020.

· Poster presentation on “Development of an Instrument to identify early features of autism using an operational research design” (ESComS), St. John’s Research Institute, Bangalore, 2020.

· Attended the Dissemination program on ICMR National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research, St. John’s Hospital, 2019.

· Attended workshop and was certified on Global Mental Health Assessment Tool (GMHAT) in collaboration with the University of Chester, UK 2019.

· Attended the IAPNEOCON conference held in Bangalore in 2019.

· Poster presentation on Neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk neonates at the Indian Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Conference (IAPNEOCON), Bangalore, 2019.

· Workshop on Neonatal Resuscitation Programme (NRP), organized by IAPNEOCON, Bangalore, 2019.