Tue Apr 15 16:56:23 UTC 2025: ## Chennai’s Institute of Mental Health Offers Comprehensive Care for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
**Chennai, April 16, 2025** – The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Chennai is providing a comprehensive range of services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including assessment, certification, counselling, and treatment all under one roof. The Child Guidance Clinic at IMH sees 20-25 children daily, addressing issues such as Specific Learning Disability (SLD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), behavioral problems, and emotional disorders.
According to IMH Director M. Malaiappan, the clinic adheres to National Medical Commission norms, offering a full-fledged service unlike the once-a-week clinics mandated for other government medical college hospitals. The clinic also works closely with the Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Board, providing assessment and treatment for children referred by these organizations.
Dr. V. Venkatesh Mathan Kumar, a psychiatrist at IMH, highlighted the clinic’s support for children with SLD. This includes IQ testing, clinical and psychological assessments, and certification to help children access necessary accommodations in school, such as extra time on exams or exemptions from certain subjects. The clinic also provides parental counselling on managing children’s emotions.
In addition to the Child Guidance Clinic, IMH operates a multimodal therapy center for autistic children, employing a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. This integrated approach ensures comprehensive care for young patients. The clinic emphasizes a holistic approach, providing support not only to the children but also educating and counselling their parents.
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