The Social problem :

Children with developmental delays, disabilities, and birth defects in underserved Indian communities often face a critical gap between early identification and sustained care. With approximately 25 million births annually and an estimated 6% of newborns affected by birth defects, many children require timely therapy, specialist consultations, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and educational support. However, low-income families frequently encounter high costs, long travel distances, limited information, and inconsistent access to services, leading them to discontinue treatment. Without sustained early intervention, children may miss developmental milestones, face greater functional limitations, struggle to access education, and experience social exclusion. Caregiving demands and repeated healthcare expenses can further deepen family financial stress, reinforcing cycles of disability, poverty, and educational exclusion.

The Social solution:

CHILDREN in India addresses the gap between identification and long-term support through a structured continuum-of-care model. The programme identifies children through healthcare institutions, government systems, and referral networks, then assesses each child's developmental, medical, and rehabilitation needs. It supports access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, behavioural interventions, assistive devices, and specialist referrals as required. Parent counselling and home-based guidance help families sustain care, while regular follow-up and developmental monitoring track progress and changing needs. The model also supports pathways to Anganwadi, school readiness, and inclusive formal education. By strengthening existing systems such as DEICs and RBSK referrals, rather than creating parallel structures, it ensures continuity, quality, and scalable support for children and families.