Dr Shan says an autistic child can attain positive outcomes with the right support network. UNDERSTANDING the needs of a child with autism is important for their development, says consultant paediatrician Dr Shan Narayanan. He said by identifying the kind of support a child needed, one could properly manage and help with their growth. “It is important to understand them and identify their strengths and weaknesses. “For a child, early intervention is helpful, and some ways of managing include parent empowerment, teaching in a specialised environment and therapy, ” he explained during a webinar titled “Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Rising Star”.