PREVENTION
ISSUE
Mental retardation has an impact on all areas of life such as social, educational, health and economics.
While knowledge of both the causes and ways to prevent mental retardation has grown enormously, comprehensive programs for prevention are not consistently implemented or used. Comprehensive programs must include biomedical advances, public education, socio-economic interventions, preventive health care and elimination of environmental hazards.
POSITION
Vidya Sudha is committed to reducing the incidence and limiting the consequences of mental retardation through education, research, advocacy and by supporting people with mental retardation, their families, friends and the community.
Vidya Sudha believes that every person has the right to grow and develop in nurturing environments that are free from abuse and neglect, free from disease, safe from injury and free from the effects of poverty.
Prevention efforts must include:
- Prenatal, perinatal and postnatal care, including frequent physical/developmental checks and adequate nutrition as well as available and accessible support services, including genetic counseling, to high-risk populations
- Education on the risks of exposing the fetus to X-rays, smoking, alcohol and drugs, prescription and non-prescription medications, and sexually transmitted diseases
- Immunization against contagious diseases prior to pregnancy
- Mandatory newborn screening programs done within a timeframe that guarantees accurate results and treatment for metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria, galactosemia and hypothyroidism
- Mandatory immunization of children for all preventable, contagious diseases
- Education emphasizing the risks of the use of aspirin with children
- Education, policies and programs to prevent childhood injuries resulting in mental retardation, including mandatory use of seat belts, safety seats and helmet
- Removal of environmental contaminants which are known contributors to mental retardation
PRESS RELEASE
Vidya Sudha, an Early Intervention Centre for children with special needs is a part of Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute (Deemed University). Vidya Sudha along with All India Chiyaan Vikram Fan Association organized a training programme called “PuthiYathor Ulagam Uruvakkuvom” on 30th July 2006. Fan club members are a powerful & vibrant group that would work effectively in spreading the social awareness message. Vidya Sudha tapped this resource with the help their brand ambassador Sri Chiyaan Vikram. The focus of the programme was Prevention of Mental Retardation. Majority of causes of mental retardation can be prevented with proper care of the pregnant mother. The need to increase awareness about prevention was largely felt & thus the training programme was initiated.
100 Representatives of All India Chiyaan Vikram Fan Association from 33 districts in Tamil Nadu attended the half day programme. Sri Chiyaan Vikram participated in the programme and spoke about the need and purpose of the training programme.
The topics covered in the programme were:
- Introduction about mental retardation
- Types of mental retardation
- Causes for mental retardation
- Introduction about prevention
- Pre natal prevention
- Para natal prevention
- Post natal prevention
- Social challenges for families of children with mental retardation
The programme ended with a question & answer session where various doubts were cleared by the training team.
The members were equipped well enough to become trainers in their district, towns and villages & serve as nodal points. This initiative that has started in Tamil Nadu will soon cover other states. This will serve as the first step to prevent such children from being born in India
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