Bringing up such children wouldn’t be a doddle for parents. In such a situation, they rely on special schools for differently-abled children. There are over 300 special schools in Kerala. Of them, 275 are government recognized. M.K. Jayaraj, who is also the principal of State Institute for Mentally Challenged (SIMC), Pangappara, Thiruvananthapuram, told FWD Life that the inmates at SIMC included 30 orphans and people from other States as well. “There are 135 children in the school and we have 56 staff. Everything is free of cost here. Most children belong to poor families,” he said. The government recognized institutions get a grant of Rs 10 crore annually. As many as 55 special schools get grant from the Centre.

“If detected before three years old, their disability could be reduced to 85%.” So early intervention is vital,” he said.

Rehabilitation

Special schools provide training to mentally challenged people as per their skills. Once they complete training, placements also will be offered. “We don’t have provision to give accommodation to inmates once they reach 18-year-old. After mastering a profession they will be sent along with their parents. But for orphans, leading a normal life will be an uphill task. I have suggested in my report about setting up a Rehabilitation Village for mentally challenged people in all districts,” added M.K. Jayaraj.

Meanwhile, he narrated a heart-breaking incident to us. A mother from Idukki cried in front of Jayaraj and asked if SIMC could adopt her three daughters afflicted with autism. “The girls are above 18-year-old. The mother was anxious about the safety of her daughters. I had limitations as we are not taking up adolescent people. So the Rehabilitation Village would be a solace for such people,” Jayaraj pointed out.

Ray of light

As you enter the Science and Technology Museum, Thiruvananthapuram, the beautiful and sprawling garden is a visual treat for the eyes. And the hard work behind this achievement is by ten differently-abled students of SIMC who were posted as gardeners at the institute. Among them, 24-year-old Sajeev won the Best Employee Award from the President in 2011.

According to Jayaraj, companies are not averse to hire differently-abled people. As many as 15 people are also appointed at Kinfra Park, Thiruvananthapuram from SIMC, which is the sole government institution for special children in Kerala.

Autism

It has been four years since actor Bindu Murali started Amma Centre for Autism, Studio Road in Thiruvananthapuram. Her eldest son is afflicted with autism and as a mother her own experience led her to start a school for children affected with autism. “There are 23 inmates and 16 of them stay in the school. Their age group is between 6-year-old and 39-year-old. The school is run in a rented house. Now that the owner has asked us to vacate the house, I am planning to buy a plot to set up the school,” said Bindu Murali.

There is dearth of trained teachers in schools for mentally challenged children. “You can’t expect people to work for measly wages. It’s very difficult to manage such children if you don’t have the patience,” she said. The school has students from Thiruvananthapuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Changanassery and Varkala. She has got financial contributions from film organization AMMA and Mohanlal Fans Association for the school.

Training programme

Started in 1964, Rotary Institute for Children in need of Special Care, Thiruvananthapuram has 174 children in the age group between 5-year-old and 18-year-old. “We give them need-based training programme. After individual assessment we plan 3-month skill development programme for each of them. Of the total 42 staff, 18 of them are teachers and specialized teachers who have qualifications prescribed by the Rehabilitation Council of India,” said principal Mothy Habeeb.

“It is a Centre-aided institution. We give placements for the skilled children. People are not aware that such individuals can perform different jobs. Our students work at Terumo Penpol, NIMS Hospital, Vijay Petrol pump and Sreemoolam Club in Thiruvananthapuram. When we approach firms for placements, some show positive attitude and some share their apprehension citing risks. They have to create awareness among their employees about differently-abled people,” she added.

Among the mentally challenged children 80 per cent comes under mild-moderate category. Though they will have difficulty in carrying out technical jobs, they can do jobs that are not dangerous.  Baby. P.S, Manager-PR, Terumo Penpol said, “We have hired two people. One of them works as an office boy and another person works in the packing section. We treat them as normal workers. In fact, it was the management decision to hire such people. Their initial salary was Rs 1,000. Now they get a salary of Rs 7,000.” “They work as normal persons but they need our instructions to carry out things. Once they involved in an activity, they would do it without interruption,” she added.

According to a study by the UN, one among 88 children has autism and other related disorders. The prognosis is that it will be one in 20 children in future. To create awareness in the society, the problems of mentally challenged people should be included in the school syllabus. Above all, it is the attitude of the society that has to be changed.

A few special schools in Kerala

Alappuzha

1. Abhaya Jyothis Special School, North Aryad.P.O, Thambakachuvadu, Alappuzha, Pin- 688 542
2. K.V.M Special School, K.V.M. Trust, P.B. No-30, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Pin-688 524, Phone-0478 2812228 / 2813047
3. M.E.S Institute for Mentally Handicapped (MIMH), Elippakulam P.O, Alappuzha, Pin- 690 503

Ernakulam

1. Adarsh Special School, 17/298, Anjeri Madom, Elamana Road, Tripunithura, Ernakulam, Pin 682 301, Phone- 0484 278 4842
2. Raksha Day Care Centre, Yasmin Manzil VII/370, Darragh-es-Salaam Road, Kochangadi, Kochi, Pin 682 002, Phone-0484 222 7707
3. Nirmalagiri Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, Mudavoor P.O, Muvattupuzha, Pin- 686 669, Phone- 0485 281 2170.

Idukki

1. Asha Bhavan Special School, Nedumkandam P.O, Kattappana, Pin- 685 553
2. Carmel Jyothi Centre for Mentally Retarded Children, Machiplavu P.O, Adimaly, Pin- 685 561
3. Pratheeksha Bhavan, Thodupuzha P.O, Pin- 685 584, Phone- 04862 229 144

Kannur

1. Jaycee Special School, Sathram Road, Dharmadam P.O, Thalassery, Pin- 670 106, Phone- 0490 234 6813
2. St. Theresa’s Home, Pattuvam P.O, Thaliparambu (via), Kannur, Pin-670 143, Phone- 04982 220 677
3. Vikas Bhavan Special School, Edoor, Payam P.O, Pin- 670 704, Phone- 0490 245 0322

Kasargode

1. Karuna Special School, Alampady P.O, Kasargode, Pin- 671 123, Phone- 04997 420 584
2. Rotary Special School, Rotary Village, Anandasram P.O, Kanhangad, Pin- 671 531
3. St. Joseph Special School, Chullikkara, Padimaruthu P.O, Pin 671 531, Phone 0467 222 6886

Kollam

1. Karuna Special School, Chavara South P.O, Vadakkumbhagam, Pin 691 584, Phone- 0476 288 2354
2. Seiri Asha Bhavan, Valacode P.O, Punalur, Pin- 691 331, Phone- 0475 222 3260
3. Vikas Bhavan, Y.W.C.A, Pin 691 001, Phone- 0474 274 6157

Kottayam

1. Asha Bhavan, Veroor P.O, Changanacherry, Pin 686 104, Phone- 0481 272 1196
2. St. John of God Special School, Velloor P.O, Pin 686 501, Phone 0481 237 3006
3. Vikas Vidyalaya, Chelliozhukam Road, Pin 686 001, Phone- 0481 256 1744

Kozhikode

1. Ashakiran School for Differently-abled Children, Medical College P.O, Devagiri, Pin- 673 008, Phone- 0495 2355 641
2. Pratheeksha Special School, Mukkom P.O, Mampetta, Pin- 673 602
3. Sneha Mahal, Centre for Mentally Handicapped, Sneha Nagar, Kolathara P.O, Pin 673 655, Phone- 0495 2402258

Malappuram

1. Good Hope School, Achipilakkal, Karuvambram P.O, Manjeri, Pin 676 123, Phone- 0483 2768 401
2. Karunya Bhavan, Vazhakkad P.O, Edavannappara, Pin- 673 640, Phone- 0483 276 8401
3. P.K.M. School, Jubily Road, Perinthalmanna, Pin- 679 322,

Palakkad

1. Ashadeepam Convent School, Koonathara P.O, Shornur (via), Pin- 679 523
2. Faith India (FIMM School), Viyyakkurussi P.O
3. St. Dominic’s Special School, Perimbadari P.O, Mannarkkad, Pin- 678 762

Pathanamthitta

1. Bethany Santhy Bhavan, Kadamankulam P.O, Kallooppara, Thiruvalla, Pin- 677 902
2. Sanjose Pratheeksha Bhavan, Pudhussery South P.O, Thiruvalla, Pin- 689 602
3. Vikas School, YMCA, Thiruvalla, Pin- 689 101, Phone- 0469 260 2521

Thrissur

1. Madonna Special School, Potta, Chalakkudy, Pin- 680 722, Phone- 0488 270 2697
2. Pope Paul Mercy Home, Peringadoor P.O, Pin- 680 581, Phone- 0487 2200 261, e-mail: popepaul@sancharnet.in
3. Pratheeksha Training Centre, Christ Nagar, Irinjalakuda, Pin- 680 125, Phone: 0480 282 5020

Trivandrum

1. Developmental Centre for Mentally Retarded (DCMR), DPI Junction, Jagathy, Pin-695 014, Phone- 0471 232 5508
2. PRS Pillay Memorial Balavikas Institute, Opp. Hindustan Latex, Gandhi Marg, Peroorkkada, Pin 695 005
3. SIMH, Govt. Home for Mentally Retarded, Pangappara, Sreekaryam, Phone- 0471 241 8524

Wayanad

1. Emmaus Villa, Thonichal, Nallurnad P.O, Mananthavady, Pin- 670 645
2. Fr. Tezza’s Training Centre, Kuttiyamvayal, Varampatta P.O, Pin- 673 575
3. Nirmal Jyothi School, Thoduvetty, Puthenkunnu P.O, Sulthan Bathery, Pin-673 592

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