Guest Speaker

Dr. J.K.Hiremath, founder of 'Manovikasa' started this organization in 1994 for special children (rehabilitation center for mentally retarded children). His daughter is the inspiration for starting this special school. She suffered from meningitis and died in the year 1994. This incident made him to run this school for special children. Dr. Hiremath visited Deshpande Foundation on 6 March as Guest Speaker and spent his valuable time with all DFP Cohort II fellows. He shared all about Manovikasa and his efforts.

Dr. Hiremath was working in an American organization resigned his job came to India & in 1994 he started a small day care center with two rooms from 10:30am to 4:30pm for mentally retarded children. This grew into a residential school by 2003.

Reasons for the development of mental retarded

v  Age of the mother

v  Mental & physical health of the mother

v  Genetic abnormalities

v  Mother’s addiction to drugs

v  Malnutrition

v  Half attempted abortion

v  Use of un prescribed drugs

v  Accidents

v  Epileptic attack by hormonal change

v  Forceps delivery

v  Alexia

v  Prolong delivery

v  Cesarean

v  Low birth

Functions of Manovikas

Being a neuro clinical psychiatrist Dr.Hiremath design the perfect residential arrangement for the mentally challenged children. He could also successfully design the activities of Manovikas. They are,

·         Visiting the villages & building the awareness.This includes early identification, facilities available from the government, diagnosis & issue of certification.

·         Convergence service. They have adopted 7 districts in Kanpur, each village is having some SHGs which helps in the taking care of the children, for this parents of the children are charged Rs2/-

·         Upanayana. Here they train the parents as co-therapists. Different therapies will be given to the child. Like,

ü  Hydro therapy

ü  Sand therapy

ü  Jump fit therapy

ü  Multi sensory stimulation therapy

ü  Squint correction therapy

ü  Physiotherapy

ü  Vita therapy

ü  Speech therapy

ü  Drooling therapy

·         Special education system. Here level assessment of the children is done by check list. They follow the individual rehabilitation program (IRP), in which each child will be having its own curriculum. Basic knowledge like Time, Money, Writing name, Signature was taught to the students. For female domestic ability development program is also conducted. Music therapy, sports, yoga, dance is also part of the school activities.

·         Residential service. They teach self help skills like, Toilet training specially reporting, eating, bathing, grooming, for female menstrual hygiene. They also take children for excursions.

·         Achievements of school.

Ø  Gold medal in china in swimming

·         Challenges face.

Ø  Meet the parents expectation

Ø Rehabilitation of children in home

·       Contact:

Ph.-9243281756  e-mail:manovikasa@yahoo.com