ICCONS under SRCCD was established in 1998 for the comprehensive management, treatment, training and research & development in the areas of various developmental disabilities and non communicable neurological disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disability, Hearing Impairment, Single and Multiple Congenital Anomalies and Acquired Language Disorders followed by Stroke, Head injury and other Metabolic and Neurological Disorders such as Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neuron Diseases etc. Since the establishment of ICCONS Trivandrum in 1998 and ICCONS Shoranur in 2000, nearly 35000 patients with above mentioned conditions have been registered and is under regular follow up. ICCONS provides regular Outpatient services and multidisciplinary rehabilitation program involving Doctors (Neurologists, Pediatricians,General Medical Officers), Speech Language pathologists, Clinical Psychologists, Physiotherapists, & Clinical Linguists in both centers (Shoranur& Thiruvananthapuram). Daily Developmental school that provide educational training for children with special needs are also attached to these centers. In addition Shoranur centre has Inpatient services that include emergency management, Adolescent and adult Autism ward, behavioral management and ADL (Activities of Daily Living) training for pediatric population of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Retardation, Stroke and Other Non communicable Neurological Disorders. Inpatient services are also provided in specialized areas like children with Global Developmental Delay. The Institute also proposes to start surgical intervention in specialized areas like reconstructive and restorative surgery for children with Cerebral Palsy and other congenital deformities, acute stroke management, ENT and Oro facial re constructive surgery. As part of its objective to develop technical manpower in specialized services, ICCONS Shoranur is conducting BASLP Course affiliated to KUHS from 2001 onwards. Institution also proposes to start M-Phil in Clinical psychology and Rehabilitation psychology courses . With financial assistance from Govt. of Kerala ICCONS established GDD ward for children with severe cognitive disability below the age of 2.6 Yrs. We have also setup two Operation theatres, ICU and Neuro radiology division for the purpose of starting acute and chronic stroke rehabilitation, an adolescent autism home, special school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities and hostel complex is constructed with NHM fund. In the Research & Development side we have established a genetic, metabolic and Neuro endocrine lab with funding from the State Govt. and NHM. ICCONS regularly carry out genetic research in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mental Retardation and other related Neuro developmental disorders. Though with our treatment and rehabilitation programs, considerable improvement and satisfaction could be achieved to many disabled population, the fact remains that most of the Neuro developmental disorders like ASD, MR, CP, motor neuron disorders like dementia, stroke related aphasia and cognitive & language disorders that affect elderly are non curable with the current knowledge in modern medicine. From its inception, one of the major objectives of ICCONS has been independent and integrated medical research to find out solution and curative treatment for various non communicable neurological disorders. In the context of integration we have informally discussed with physicians mainly from Kottakal AryaVaidyasala for possible and feasible avenues for integration at various levels in specific areas of Ayurveda, the traditional and ancient medical system of India with modern medicine. From the discussions emerged a strong consensus regarding the possibility of an integrated approach to treatment and R&D.
To look in to the magnitude of the problem we conducted a survey taking Shoranur Municipality as a sample (micro population) and studied the pattern and prevalence of various developmental disabilities, chronic non communicable neurological disabilities and life style disorders. The importance of identifying and managing Lifestyle disorders is that they are one of the common cause for many acquired non-communicable neurological disorders like Stroke, Dementia, Parkinsonism in adult population. The study reveals Life Style Disorders (in this survey Hypertension, Diabetes Melitus and Coronary Heart Disease) to constitute 62.78% of the chronic non communicable disorders and 7.6% of the total population. The result of the survey makes known a distinctive type of demographic transition in Kerala with a rapid reduction in fertility and expanding elderly population and shrinking middle aged supportive work force population; an increased life expectancy and decreased birth rate with more than 67% above the age of 60 years and 24.56% below 16 years have one or other form of chronically disabling non communicable disorder. This should be a matter of concern for health care professionals and policy makers in the state. Unless institutions are established and treatment modes developed for curing and preventing these types of chronic life style disorders, motor neuron disorders, neuro developmental disorders and non communicable disorders, every nation will have to face significant manpower loss and consequent economic impact. The World Health Organization, Harvard school of Public Health and World Federation of Neurology has highlighted these aspects of health and disability through its publications in 2002, 2004, 2007 and 2011. Taking these factors in to consideration the Institute is proposing “Integrated medical research and development for the management of developmental disabilities of non curable and non communicable neurological disorders”.