2025:- CDC has been declared as “Centre of Excellence in Child Adolescent Development & Research, Teaching, Training, Clinical and Community services & Centre of Excellence in Neuro Developmental Disability as per G.O.(Ms)No.359/2025/H&FWD Thiruvananthapuram, Dated, 20-10-2025
The Child Development Centre (CDC), Thiruvananthapuram, attained a landmark achievement by being designated as a “Centre of Excellence in Neurodevelopmental Disorders” by the Government of Kerala vide G.O.(Ms) No. 359/2025/H&FWD dated 20.10.2025. This prestigious recognition marks a major advancement in the State’s efforts to strengthen services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Established in 1987, CDC has evolved into a premier institution offering comprehensive, multidisciplinary care encompassing early identification, diagnostic evaluation, therapeutic interventions, rehabilitation services, and long-term follow-up for children with developmental delays and disabilities. The Centre integrates expertise from paediatrics, neurology, psychiatry, clinical psychology, speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and special education, ensuring holistic management of children with NDDs.
The declaration of CDC as a Centre of Excellence was formally announced during the DISHA–2024 National Conference, organized in collaboration with UNICEF, highlighting its national-level recognition and leadership in the field. The selection was based on CDC’s consistent contributions in clinical service delivery, capacity building, research, and policy support. Over the years, CDC has played a pivotal role in developing standardized protocols for early screening and intervention, implementing community-based rehabilitation programmes, and supporting District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) across Kerala under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).
As a Centre of Excellence, CDC is entrusted with expanded responsibilities, including acting as the apex referral centre for complex neurodevelopmental cases, providing advanced training and mentorship to healthcare professionals across the State, and facilitating evidence-based research in neurodevelopmental disorders. The Centre also plays a crucial role in strengthening inter-sectoral coordination among health, education, and social justice departments to ensure comprehensive care and inclusion of children with special needs. Additionally, CDC contributes to policy formulation and programme implementation at the State level, thereby enhancing the overall quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of services for children with developmental and neurological conditions.
This achievement not only reinforces CDC’s leadership in the field of child development and neurodisability but also significantly enhances Kerala’s capacity to deliver integrated, equitable, and high-quality care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, setting a benchmark for similar institutions across the country.