The institute was established in 1989 with the amalgamation of the Elwyn Morey Child Study Centre and the Krongold Centre For Exceptional Children. This followed recommendations by the Krongold Centre Review Committee (1987) and the Elwyn Morey Study Centre Review Committee (1987).
The aim of the institute is to promote and coordinate activities in the two centres, which include direct service and support to children and adolescents, their parents and teachers; professional development of teachers and psychologists and research projects.
Two committees service MICAS: a steering committee, chaired by the dean of the Faculty of Education, and a management committee chaired by the director of the Krongold Centre.
The director of MICAS is Associate Professor S Sykes.