Date:21/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/21/stories/2008112152690300.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

Special-needs children take part in Open Day

Staff Correspondent

Aim was to create public awareness on communication disorders

MYSORE: All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) organised the annual Open Day here on Thursday with the aim of creating public awareness on communication disorders.

Twenty events were organised for special-needs children suffering from autismcerebral palsy, and learning disability among others.

About 358 children participated in the events. The winners received prizes from director of AIISH Vijayalakshmi Basavaraj. Legal expert C.K. N. Raja was the chief guest.

The Open Day was aimed at educating the public about communication disorders, types and classification of communication disorders and the causes of these disorders such as the genetic, psychological and environmental factors.

The role the public can play in spreading awareness about communication disorders was explained to the visitors. An exhibition on the types and causes of communication disorders was also organised.