THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Centre for Autism and other Disabilities Rehabilitation Research and Education (CADRRE) is being set up here, aimed at transforming lives of children with autism through best practice principles and family-centred holistic care. CADRRE is a not-for-profit entity set up with the assistance of Chandaria Foundation, UST Global and Mr K. Nandakumar’s SunTec Business Solutions as donor patrons and George M Thomas Foundation’s Trivandrum International School as donor. “We expect several other organisations and individuals to support this initiative as it shapes up”, said Mr G.Vijayaraghavan, founder- director of NISH and the honorary director of CADRRE.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder, which has a significant impact on the individual’s development in childhood and adult life. It is estimated that 1 to 1.5 percent of children between ages two and nine in the country are afflicted by ASD. But no compulsory screening tests are done unlike in developed countries; very few organizations provide proper therapies and support. It is planned that by the end of September CADRRE will start operations on rented premises in the capital city. Discussions have been initiated with leading centres in the US to enable the training of the faculty of CADRRE at their centres.
City centres will be established in Kochi and Kozhikode in Phase 1 (4 years) and in other cities in the country in Phase 2 (3-6 years). In 5 years, an independent campus will be built on 10-15 acres within 30 km of the city. This campus, in addition to education and rehabilitation, will provide assisted living for adults with disabilities. Land will be acquired in the 3rd year of operations of CADRRE and construction will be completed over the next 2 years so the main campus will be ready at the end of the 5th year and will include residential area for 50 ASD persons, residential facilities for 25 technical and non-technical staff to take of the needs of these 50 persons, occupational area for the 50 residents, training facility of 10,000 sq. ft.
