MDVI and Special Needs: Why Early Intervention Can Change a Child’s Life

What happens when a child’s vision challenge is overshadowed by another diagnosis?
And what becomes possible when we choose to see potential before limitation?

In this powerful 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 starting with just two children in a verandah to building a multi-centre organisation impacting over 2,000 lives, Dr. Dipti shares why children with multiple disabilities and visual impairment are often missed—and how early, holistic intervention can completely change outcomes.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why vision issues are frequently overlooked in children with autism, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities
• The impact of early intervention—starting as young as 6–8 months
• How vision rehabilitation works: stimulation, efficiency, and functional use
• Why parents are central to progress—and why caregiver mental health matters
• The need for stronger collaboration across NGOs, hospitals, and schools

This is an honest, hopeful conversation for parents, caregivers, educators, therapists, and anyone working toward inclusion.

Listen to the full episode:
YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

About the host:
Chitra Iyer wears many hats: CEO, mother to a special needs adult, marathoner, artist, and transformative leader.
As CEO and Co-founder of MFA Capital Pvt. Ltd., she brings over 35 years of experience as a Cost Accountant and Certified Financial Planner.
After her son was diagnosed with autism and epilepsy in 1998, she stepped away from her career to focus on his care, later rebuilding her professional journey through sheer determination.
Studying late nights while caring for her son, she became a CFP and grew into a highly successful financial coach and leader.
Today, she leads a 70% women-led organisation, mentors women returning to work, and champions inclusion, financial literacy, and empowerment through initiatives like the Forum for Autism and the Special Needs Children Podcast.

About the Guest
Dr. Dipti Gandhi is the Founder & CEO of Muskaan Foundation and a nationally renowned low-vision consultant working at the intersection of disability, inclusion, and early intervention.
Learn more about Muskaan Foundation: https://muskanfoundation.org.in/

Planning for a child with special needs requires more than numbers—it requires foresight and care.
To understand how financial planning can support your child’s long-term well-being, reach out to MFA:

Call us on: 022 6243 9700
Email: teammfa@myfinad.in
Website: https://www.myfinad.com/

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