Finder

Specialises in

• Community child health

Offers

• Video and telephone consultations

About me

I am a Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician with a vast clinical experience over 20 years. I trained as a Specialist Registrar in the East of England, including subspecialty training at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. I completed an observer-ship at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London in Feb 2020 for complex Neurodevelopmental conditions in children.

I have expertise in the assessment of all forms of Autism and other developmental conditions like ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Developmental Delay, Dyspraxia, Learning Difficulties, and Sleep problems related to the above conditions. I also provide second opinions on these conditions. I assess children and young people under the age of 16 years.

Lead Roles in the NHS:

1. Clinical Director and Lead doctor for Autism in Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

2. Chair of Hertfordshire Autism Interest Group

3. Chair of East Of England Autism Subgroup of Community Paediatrics Developmental Group

Accreditations in Autism:

I have been trained in different aspects of autism assessments, such as:

•3Di (3-Dimensional Interview)

•ADOS-2 ( Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2)

•ADI-R ( Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised)

I have also trained in the newer versions of Autism assessments.

• TELE-ASD-PEDS

• BOSA


​​Publications:

•I have coauthored a chapter on Autism in Clinical Cases in Paediatrics: A Trainees Handbook published by JayPee Brothers, ISBN number 9781907816475

•Mengoni SE, Irvine K, Thakur D, et al., Feasibility study of a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of using a humanoid robot to improve the social skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (Kaspar RCT): a study protocol. BMJ Open 2017;7:e017376. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017376

•Thakur D, Pocha M, Pneumothorax after a roller coaster ride: https://adc.bmj.com/content/91/5/421

International, National and Regional Presentations

• Indian Academy of Paediatrics National Workshop on Neurodevelopmental Disorders: 3rd November 2019 at Jabalpur, India. Two presentations: Learning Disabilities in Children and Hearing Screening: UK experience

• Autism Europe 13th September 2019. Poster presentation on a Feasibility study of a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of using a humanoid robot to improve the social skills of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Hertfordshire Autism Interest Group Meeting: UK September 2019: Oral presentation on the Feasibility study of a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of using a humanoid robot to improve the social skills of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder ( KASPAR trial )

RCPCH 2018
Innovative Core Community Paediatrics Training. Dr N Merchant*1, Dr D Thakur2, Dr P Sheth1

BMJ Leaders in Health Care 2017
Leaders in Healthcare 2017
Abstract Proposal for Poster Display

INNOVATIVE CORE COMMUNITY PAEDIATRICS TRAINING
D Thakur, P Sheth, V Rudran, N Merchant

Areas of interest

My special interest is in Autism Spectrum Disorder, particularly Autism in girls and teenagers, as well as complex Autism. I strongly believe in accepting Neurodiversity.

In addition, I am interested in Neurodevelopmental conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyspraxia, Development and other aspects of Neurodisability and Developmental Paediatrics.

Medical secretaries

• Karen McNicholas
• 07486 531240
• specialist@autismdoctor.co.uk