While the TDH has been catering to the rehabilitation of challenged children since its inception in 1979, the new centre aims to focus more on mental and emotional disorders rather than physical handicap. “Thirty years ago, when the TDH centre was started at KEM, with polio more rampant, the focus was towards the physically handicapped. Now, with the rise of autism, learning and behavioural disorders, the emphasis has shifted towards mental, behavioural and emotional issues among the children,” said Dr Anand Pandit, director of paediatrics and TDH Rehabilitation Centre.

At the new centre, different divisions have been lined up ranging from child assessment and counselling, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, audiology, language therapy and so on for special children.

A major part of the funds for the overhauling and renovation of the centre have been contributed by the US-based Morris Family Fund. “Parents of challenged children are not looking at tomorrow, or day after, they are looking at now. Timeliness is very important for the success of the centre,” said Dr Anjali Morris who manages the fund. Since many parents today are working, a day centre that is accessible even in the evenings and weekends, would be of help to them, she added.

In fact, the Morris Child Development Centre has plans for evening and weekend Out Patients’Department for working parents and school children. The centre will also include activities like sensory integration for autistic children, remedial teaching and outreach programmes.