Date:15/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/15/stories/2008031558820200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Early intervention programme held

Staff Reporter

Thirty representatives of NGOs from across the State take part

CHENNAI: About 30 representatives of various non-governmental organisations across the State underwent training to provide need-based intervention for children affected with mental retardation and associated disabilities, including autism, at a programme organised by the Spastics Society of Tamil Nadu (SPASTN) at its premises in Taramani.

The five-day programme, that which concluded on Friday, aimed at training at least two NGO representatives in every district to ensure availability of such expertise in rural areas. Another batch would undergo the training this month-end.

Social Welfare Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna distributed certificates to the participants. Highlighting the benefits of the early intervention programme, she said efforts taken in the initial stage would reduce the severity of disability in a child. State Commissioner for the Disabled V.K. Jeyakodi said early intervention units would come up soon in block and village levels to improve the quality of life for the persons with such disability.

SPASTN director Annie Shyam participated.