Early intervention can change lives—but for thousands of children with neurodevelopmental challenges in India, access to timely diagnosis and therapy is still a distant dream. In an exclusive interview with TheCSRUniverse, Dr. Himani Narula, Co-Founder, Continua Kids and a passionate developmental paediatrician, takes us through her journey of creating a national movement for integrated developmental care.
From setting up multidisciplinary centres to pioneering the use of AI and gut-brain research in therapy, Dr. Narula shares how Continua Kids is rewriting the story for children on the autism spectrum and beyond. Most importantly, she explains how corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been more than just financial support—it’s become a lifeline that enables access, builds infrastructure, and sustains hope in underserved communities.
This conversation is not just about challenges—it’s about what’s possible when compassion meets strategy. As she lays out her bold vision for the next five years, Dr. Narula calls upon corporates and civil society to join hands in creating an inclusive, empowered India for every child.
Read on for the full interview below.
Q. What inspired you to establish Continua Kids, and how has its vision and mission evolved over the years to address the growing needs of children with neurodevelopmental challenges?
A. Continua Kids was born out of a deep commitment to bridge the wide gap in early identification, intervention, and integrated care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders in India. As a practicing developmental paediatrician, I witnessed firsthand the delays in diagnosis and fragmented therapies that families often struggled with. Our vision has evolved into creating a comprehensive ecosystem offering evidence-based, multidisciplinary intervention under one roof. Over time, our mission has grown to include pan-India accessibility, awareness generation, and capacity building to meet the increasing demand for timely and quality care.
Q. You’ve described CSR not as a funding line but as a lifeline. Can you elaborate on how corporate social responsibility has shaped the growth and outreach of Continua Kids?
A. CSR has been pivotal in helping Continua Kids extend critical services to underserved populations. It has enabled us to subsidize therapies, train professionals, and set up centres in regions that otherwise lack access. Rather than viewing CSR as mere financial aid, we see it as a strategic partnership that sustains our mission. It allows us to scale impact and deliver long-term developmental outcomes for children who may otherwise be left behind.
Q. Could you share a specific success story or moment from your centre that truly illustrates the real-world impact of timely intervention, made possible through CSR support?
A. One of our most inspiring stories is of a 3-year-old child from a rural background with undiagnosed autism who was referred through a CSR outreach program. With consistent, multidisciplinary intervention funded by CSR, this non-verbal child began using words within six months and eventually enrolled in mainstream preschool. His transformation not only changed his future but also created ripples of awareness in his community. This is the power of timely intervention, and CSR made it possible.
Q. In terms of outreach, how are you addressing the needs of families in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where awareness and access are still limited? What role do CSR partnerships play here?
A. Our outreach in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is focused on two pillars: awareness and access. We conduct awareness camps, parent training, and health check-ups in partnership with local stakeholders. CSR support allows us to deploy mobile screening units, conduct telehealth sessions, and establish satellite centres in these locations. These partnerships make quality developmental care a reality for families who would otherwise travel hours to find help.
Q. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while building a network of therapists and diagnostic centres across India, especially in underserved areas?
A. The key challenges have been a shortage of trained professionals, geographical disparities, and sustaining service quality across diverse contexts. In underserved areas, therapists often relocate due to lack of infrastructure or support. We address this by investing heavily in in-house training, mentorship programs, and by creating hybrid models combining physical centres with teletherapy to retain reach and quality.
Q. Continua’s approach emphasizes tailored, evidence-based care. How do you ensure quality, scalability, and individual attention simultaneously across your 30+ centres?
A. Our clinical protocols are standardized yet flexible to accommodate each child’s unique needs. We leverage centralized training, digital health records, and outcome tracking tools to maintain consistency. Regular audits, peer reviews, and continuous professional development are integral to our model. Technology plays a key role in ensuring scalability without compromising individual attention or therapeutic integrity.
Q. You’ve also been a strong advocate for autism insurance, inclusion, and the role of tech in early diagnosis and intervention. How are you integrating technology to make therapy more accessible and trackable?
A. We use AI-assisted screening tools, tele-assessment platforms, and digital therapy logs to enhance early detection and intervention. We are developing a tech-enabled parent portal that allows continuous tracking of progress, empowering families to be active partners in care. We’re also exploring wearable tech and predictive analytics to make interventions more personalized and measurable. These innovations increase both reach and efficiency.
Q. Can you tell us more about your ongoing PhD research on gut health and autism spectrum disorder? How do you see this influencing future treatment approaches at Continua Kids?
A. My PhD research explores the gut-brain axis in autism spectrum disorder, focusing on how microbiota imbalances correlate with behavioural symptoms. Preliminary findings are promising and suggest that targeted dietary interventions could significantly support therapy outcomes. At Continua, we’ve already begun integrating gut health assessments into our intervention models. This research will pave the way for more holistic, biomedical-informed care pathways.
Q. What are some key misconceptions or stigmas around neurodevelopmental disorders you believe still persist in society and among corporates? How can CSR initiatives help shift these narratives?
A. Many still see neurodevelopmental disorders as rare or irreversible. There is stigma around diagnosis, and a lack of understanding that early intervention can lead to substantial improvements. Corporates can play a key role in shifting this narrative by supporting inclusive employment, funding awareness campaigns, and ensuring their CSR strategies address disability as a developmental and social priority, not just a medical issue.
Q. Looking ahead, what is your vision for the next 5 years at Continua Kids? What support do you seek from the corporate sector and civil society to realize this vision?
A. Our vision is to reach 100 centres, integrate advanced tech-based diagnostics, and establish India’s first Centre of Excellence for neurodevelopmental research and training. We aim to train 10,000 professionals and impact over 1 million families in the next five years. To achieve this, we seek long-term CSR collaborations, public-private partnerships, and cross-sector advocacy to amplify our mission and build an inclusive, informed society.
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