(a) the criteria to define the mentally retarded children; and
(b) the facilities being provided by the Government to the said children?
(a) the criteria to define the mentally retarded children; and
(b) the facilities being provided by the Government to the said children?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI D. NAPOLEON)
(a) As per Section 2 (r) of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of
Rights and Full Participation) (PwD) Act, 1995, “mental retardation` means `a condition of
arrested or incomplete development of mind of a person which is specially characterized by
subnormality of intelligence`.
(b) National Institute for Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad, provides rehabilitation
of persons with mental retardation through Early Intervention Services, Physiotherapy/Ortho,
Biochemistry, Speech & Audiology, Psychological Assessment, Behaviour Modification, Parent
Counseling and vocational assessment services etc. NIMH has a Model Special Education Centre
in New Delhi which enrolls children in the age range of 3 years to 18 years including children
with varying degrees of mental retardation.
National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerabral Palsy, Mental Retardation
and Multiple Disabilities, a statutory body set up under this Ministry under the National
Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerabral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple
Disabilities Act, 1999 with the objective to enable persons with disabilities to lead
independent life with dignity, support and strengthen Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
and other service providers and appoint legal guardians to take care the needs of persons
with disabilities. The major activities of National Trust include training and awareness
programmes, capacity building programme & shelter, care giving & empowerment programmes.
Under Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), financial assistance is provided to
NGOs for various projects for providing education, vocational training and rehabilitation
of persons with disabilities, including children with mental retardation.