The Special Needs Children Podcast - with Chitra Iyer

Airports. Wheelchairs. Priority boarding.Favourite snacks packed across continents.Medicines are divided into two bags.Hotel doors secured at night. There are meltdowns.There are delays.There are stares.But above all, there is joy.And there are memories.Families of children with special needs do not travel less.They travel differently.A special needs family does not need to stay at home.They deserve to experience the world in a way that works forthem.Inclusion is not permission.It is our right!

What happens when a child’s vision challenge is hidden behind another diagnosis?What futures are quietly lost when we focus on labels instead of possibilities?In this moving episode of The Special Needs Children Podcast, our CEO, Chitra Iyer speaks with Dr. Dipti Gandhi, Founder & CEO of Muskaan Foundation and a nationally renowned low-vision consultant with over 30 years of experience in the disability sector.From beginning with just two children in a small verandah to building a multi-centre organisation that has touched over 2,000 lives, Dr. Dipti shares why children with multiple disabilities and visual impairment are so often overlooked—and how early, integrated intervention can radically change a child’s developmental path.This conversation explores why vision issues are frequently missed in children with autism, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities, how vision rehabilitation actually works, and why parents and caregivers are central to every breakthrough.An honest, compassionate, and hopeful discussion about seeing potential before limitation—and why early action matters more than we realise.

In the latest episode of The Special Needs Children Podcast, our CEO, Chitra Iyer, sits down with Manu Sekar, founder of HashHackCode, a name steadily transforming how the world views neurodiverse learners in the digital age.Manu, who has spent years working closely with children and young adults with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Down Syndrome, has built an ecosystem where coding becomes more than a skill — it becomes a pathway to confidence, independence, and belonging.In this soulful episode, we step into Manu’s journey… the questions, the breakthroughs, the quiet determination, and the belief that every child deserves a space where they are understood, included, and empowered.

In the latest episode of The Special Needs Children Podcast, our CEO, Chitra Iyer, is in talks with Dr. Shoba Srivastava, Managing Trustee of SOPAN, a name that resonates deeply within the special needs community.Dr. Shoba, a parent to an adult with autism and tuberous sclerosis, has spent decades transforming questions into action, from “What next after school?” to creating meaningful pathways for adulthood through SOPAN’s vocational and respite care centres.In this heartfelt episode, we go behind the scenes of her journey...the doubts, decisions, courage, and compassion that shaped SOPAN into a space of learning, dignity, and joy.Tune in to hear how one mother’s love and determination grew into a movement that continues to empower countless families. 💙Watch the episode now on The Special Needs Children Podcast, created by one of you, for all of you!

What after school? Har maa aur pita jiske bachche ko special needs hai, yeh zarur sochta hai – 18 saal ya school ke baad kya? Vocational training aur kya options available hain?In this episode of The Special Needs Children Podcast, Chitra speaks to Ms. Sulekha Doshi, a parent who, while seeking options for her own son Geet, turned that question into action by starting a vocational centre where young adults now learn, work, and find purpose. 💙Sulekha shares her journey, challenges, and advice for families still seeking options after school.Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with hope and ideas.

From marathons to music, from painting to entrepreneurship, this episode of The Special Needs Children Podcast celebrates families who turned obstacles into opportunities for their young adults with special needs.These parents did more than just support — they helped their children discover their strengths, nurtured their passions, and created pathways where none seemed to exist. Whether it was guiding them to explore baking, encouraging their first artistic expression, supporting their love for running, or helping them build a business, each journey reflects resilience, patience, and unwavering belief. And what can we say about these remarkable young adults? They are the true stars!Their achievements are not just milestones; they are powerful reminders of what is possible when belief meets perseverance. Tune in now

What after school? - It’s a question almost every parent of a child with disability wonders.When school ends, the structure fades, the daily routine changes, and the future can feel unclear, especially if the child hasn’t built real-life skills yet.In countries like the US, UK, Australia and others this stage is planned for way in advance. Career counselling, internships, and skill-building are part of the process.In India, everything rests on the parents. We don’t have a system in place, no checklist, no roadmap and no guide. But guess what? You can still navigate your way through this. In today’s episode of The Special Needs Children Podcast, Chitra Iyer, CEO of MFA Capital, parent to a special needs adult, and Trustee for the Forum for Autism shares practical steps and emotional insights on Vocational Planning for Children with Disabilities.Do watch it, share & subscribe too!

In this episode, our CEO, Chitra Iyer, has a heartfelt conversation with Sonali Saini, the Founder & Executive Director of Sol’s ARC—an inspiring changemaker who has dedicated over two decades to building inclusive education and livelihood opportunities for individuals with disabilities across India.Driven by her powerful and compassionate vision—Every Child Learns, Every Adult Earns—Sonali has been working closely with government bodies and nonprofit organizations to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind, but instead empowered through meaningful learning and earning pathways.Her journey is one of courage, commitment, and quiet revolutions that are changing lives every single day.

We promised to share details of health insurance plans now available for individuals with Autism. This podcast will answer your questions on kinds of policies available, from which insurance companies, how to apply, what mistakes parents should avoid making and much more.Children with autism can now be covered under Mediclaim policies — a long-overdue breakthrough built on years of advocacy, persistence, and hope. In episode 83 of The Special Needs Children Podcast, our CEO, Ms. Chitra Iyer is joined by:✨ Mr. Vinesh Subramaniam, President, Probitas Insurance Brokers as they break down what these policies mean for you, what to look out for, and how to truly protect your family — especially in times of rising medical costs.Also listen to Mr. Chintan Kinariwala, Sr. Vice President, Tata AIG General Insurance talk about policies available and process to go about the same.

This week on The Special Needs Children Podcast, our CEO, Chitra Iyer, talks about the importance of Health Insurance coverage for children with Autism.She talks about:✅ What does health insurance really cover?✅ Why a health corpus is equally important?✅ How does it impact the families of those with special needs? To get in touch with us: Contact us on - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teammfa@myfinad.in

In episode 79, our CEO Chitra Iyer is in conversation with Beverly Louis, founder of Mann- Centre for Individuals with Special Needs and co-founder of Karmann, a brand creating handcrafted quilted products by artisans with intellectual disabilities and autism. Joining her is Gauri Shringarpure, Chief Program Officer at Mann and a seasoned mental health expert with over 25 years of experience in consumer behavior, gender, and positive psychology.Together, they share how Mann is creating real impact through skill-building, inclusive employment, and emotional wellness for young adults with disabilities.

In the latest episode of The Special Needs Children Podcast,our CEO, Chitra Iyer is in talks with Dr. Gayatri Narasimhan, Founder & Director at Prakramika Vocational Institute. Dr. Gayatri’s journey from software engineering to specialeducation is a testament to the power of purpose. With a Doctorate in Special Education and expertise in psychology, yoga therapy, and behavior management, she has transformed the lives of 500+ neurodivergent individuals.She is a Top 50 Global Teacher Prize finalist, and a UN-recognized advocate for inclusive education. She is shaping a future where every individual, regardless of ability, has access to skill-based learning and employment opportunities. Tune in to listen to her journey.