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!
Every parent of a special needs child needs to plan for what comes after their child becomes an adult and is done with schooling.
There is a process for this that many parents are not aware of. Once parents do the homework to understand their child’s abilities, interests, and preferences, they can plan a meaningful vocational journey as their children grow older.
In this episode of The Special Needs Children Podcast, Chitra Iyer introduces a Vocational Planning Checklist for Parents of adults with special needs, a simple and practical tool to help you reflect, plan, and guide your child toward greater independence and purpose.
You can get the form Chitra is referring to here: https://shorturl.at/j3cu0. Just click the link, fill out a short form, and receive the download link for the checklist directly in your mailbox.
Tune in to The Special Needs Children Podcast now
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.
In continuation of our Vocational Planning series, our CEO Chitra Iyer brings you a truly heart-warming story on The Special Needs Children Podcast.
This week, she features Kshitij, a sheltered workshop in Mumbai.
Kshitij means horizon—and that is exactly what this centre offers.
What began with four parents asking a single question—“What after school?” has blossomed into a vibrant community where adults with intellectual disabilities work, earn, learn, and celebrate life together.
It’s a space of dignity, friendship, and endless possibility.
Listen to their inspiring journey and discover how a small dream can change many lives.
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To know more, write to us on teammfa@myfinad.in
Book a complimentary one-on-one session with a Financial Coach at MFA & Happyness Factory: https://calendar.app.google/bA1SDWcEhfVSziTNA
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
Previously on The Special Needs Children Podcast, our CEO, Chitra Iyer spoke about Vocational planning and why it is vital for children with special needs. In the latest episode, Chitra revisits inspiring changemakers who are transforming those plans into reality by nurturing skills, creating pathways, and unlocking opportunities for independent, fulfilling lives.
Tune in to get a perspective that could open new possibilities for individuals with special needs.
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!
ऑटिस्टिक बच्चों के परिवारों के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण क्षण 💙
सालों की मेहनत, जागरूकता और उम्मीदों के बाद अब मेडिक्लेम पॉलिसीज़ में ऑटिस्टिक बच्चों के लिए भी coverage शामिल किया गया है।
The Special Needs Children Podcast के 76th एपिसोड में, हमारी CEO चित्रा अय्यर, Happyness Factory के Head of Product Development, मिलिन शाह के साथ इस महत्वपूर्ण बदलाव पर रोशनी डाल रही हैं।
इस बदलाव का असल मतलब क्या है और आप इसका फ़ायदा कैसे उठा सकते हैं — जानने के लिए ज़रूर सुनिए।
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.
In this episode, our host and CEO of MFA Capital, Chitra Iyer— mother to a special needs adult, Financial Coach, and fierce advocate for long-term care — unpacks the quiet yet powerful companion to Mediclaim: the Health Corpus.
She explains what it truly stands for, how it supports everyday healthcare needs, and why it’s an essential layer of protection alongside Mediclaim.
This episode is a heartfelt reminder that Mediclaim alone isn’t enough — true security comes from a well-built health corpus that brings flexibility, dignity, and emotional ease to your financial journey.
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 74 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.
In this episode, our CEO, Chitra Iyer, is in conversation with Debashis Paul—a renowned marketing strategist behind campaigns for Coca-Cola and Microsoft, and more personally, an autism parent and author of I Have Autism and I Like to Play Bad Tennis, a book that has sparked global conversations on parenting and inclusion.
In this podcast, Debashis shares the story behind his book and reflects on parenting a child with autism. He speaks about the shift from fixing to accepting, the joy in everyday moments, and offers heartfelt advice to fellow parents.
To get in touch with us: Contact us on - teammfa@myfinad.in
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 72, our CEO Chitra Iyer is in conversation with Benifer Satarawala, a Special Needs mom, Secretary of Forum for Autism (FFA) and Principal of Priyanj Special School, Mumbai.
With over a decade of experience in remedial education, play therapy, and communication skill development, Benifer is a passionate advocate for children with autism. Today, she shares how her journey fuels her mission at Priyanj, Savali and FFA, driving empathy, resilience, and inclusion for children with autism and their families.
In episode 71, 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 episode 70 of The Special Needs Children Podcast, our CEO, Chitra Iyer is in talks with Ms. Gulshan Kavarana, a founding member of SFS (Special Families Support group), a support group for families with children with special needs, also the founding member of Ahura Support and Residential home in Mumbai and the Art Mentor at Mawaheb, an art studio for adults with special needs.
Get inspired by Gulshan’s journey of compassion and impact. Tune in to this powerful podcast and discover how small actions can create a change. Listen now!
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.
In this episode, our CEO, Chitra Iyer is in conversation with Sonalee Shyamsunder, Founder & Director of Urmi Foundation, a non-profit organization that is making a remarkable impact in the lives of children with developmental disabilities.
Tune into the podcast to watch her inspiring journey, the challenges she has overcome, and the transformative work being done at the Urmi Foundation to create an inclusive future for children with developmental disabilities.
In Episode 67 of The Special Needs Children Podcast, our CEO, Chitra Iyer is in conversation with Shilpi Kapoor, founder of BarrierBreak and 247 Accessible Documents, a pioneer in digital accessibility. She also created Newz Hook, India’s first inclusive news platform.
Tune into the podcast as Shilpi shares her inspiring journey, the challenges she has overcome, and her vision for the future of digital accessibility.
In episode 66 our CEO, Chitra Iyer is joined by Ritu Vig, an educator and interior designer who took a sabbatical after her son Kritin was diagnosed with an intellectual disability. Driven by the need for true inclusion, she founded Special Hangout and what started as a small gathering of children playing together organically evolved into a thriving, supportive community for neurodivergent individuals and their families.