Mom launches foundation after navigating son’s Asperger’s diagnosis

New Delhi: What began as one mother’s journey to support her son with Asperger’s syndrome has grown into a movement training thousands of caregivers across India. Neena Gupta’s life changed when her child was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.

Navigating therapies, schools, and social challenges, she found a gap: families and caregivers often lacked the tools and training to support children with autism and other neurodivergent disorders. Determined to bridge that gap, Gupta founded the Margika Foundation.

The organization focuses on training and capacity-building for caregivers, equipping parents, teachers, and professionals with practical strategies to support neurodivergent children. So far, Margika has trained over 1,000 caregivers through workshops, online modules, and community programs.

The foundation emphasizes real-world skills — from communication techniques to behavior support — shaped by Gupta’s own experiences as a parent. “Every child taught me something,” Gupta said. “The lessons I learnt from my son became the foundation for helping other families.”

Today, Margika Foundation works with schools, NGOs, and parent groups to expand access to caregiver training, aiming to create a more inclusive environment for children with autism across the country.