The State government must set up genetic counselling centres in every district to create awareness about the genetic conditions that run in the family and help prevent or treat disorders.
This was one of the recommendations of the fourth international conference and 10th national workshop organised by Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children (MNC) that concluded on Saturday. The conference was on early intervention for children with mental retardation and associated disabilities. P. Jayachandran, one of the centre’s directors, said that genetic testing and counselling could help diagnose and prevent disabilities and genetic disorders.
V. K. Jeyakodi, Principal Secretary and State Commissioner for the Differently-abled, said the department would scrutinise the recommendations and prepare an action plan for their implementation. He also highlighted the State government’s proposal to launch mobile centres in each district to provide treatment for children.
Subjects, including genetic counselling, innovation in curriculum planning for children needing continued support and trends in prevention and early detection of mental retardation were discussed.
