Making therapy accessible for children

While early intervention through therapy is critical to help children with developmental delays, the high costs of therapy usually forces parents not to pursue it. But it is possible to change this

ANISHKA DE SÁ E AGUIAR

Every child grows at their own pace but sometimes, that pace is slower than expected in key areas like speaking, learning, moving, or social interaction. These are known as developmental delays, and they can affect a child’s ability to communicate, process information, interact with others, or perform basic physical tasks.

Conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), speech and language disorders, sensory processing issues, and intellectual disabilities all fall under this broad umbrella. They are not a reflection of poor parenting or a child’s potential they are neurological and developmental differences that, with the right support, can be managed, improved, and often overcome. Early intervention through therapy is not just helpful it is critical. It gives children the tools they need to function, connect, and thrive in a world that might otherwise misunderstand them.

In my years of working with children, especially those with developmental challenges, I’ve witnessed first-hand the profound impact therapy can have. Speech therapy, Occupational Therapy, ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis), and other interventions are not just services they are lifelines for children who deserve to thrive. And yet, access to these critical therapies still largely depends on where a family lives and what their insurance covers.

Take Dubai, for example. Here, more families can access early intervention services, thanks to private medical insurance that often includes partial or full coverage for therapies. Clinics are regulated, therapists are certified, and many insurance providers have started recognising that mental health and developmental therapy are as essential as physical healthcare. While affordability can still be a challenge, there is at least a growing framework of support.

Contrast this with Goa, where I have roots and deep connections. In Goa and much of India insurance rarely covers therapies for children with developmental needs unless they are linked to hospitalisation or physical injury. This means families are left paying out-of-pocket for services that can cost thousands of rupees monthly. For middle- and low-income families, this becomes an impossible burden.

As a result, many parents simply don’t pursue therapy, not because they don’t care, but because they can’t afford it.

 

The long-term impact

When children with autism, ADHD, speech delays, or motor issues don’t receive timely intervention, the long-term consequences can be serious. We’re not just talking about school performance we’re talking about self-esteem, independence, relationships, and mental health. Early intervention can make the difference between a child growing up feeling capable and connected or isolated and frustrated.

 

What needs to change?

1. Insurance reform in India: Health insurance policies need to explicitly include therapy services, especially for children with diagnosed developmental disorders.

2. Public health funding: Governments must prioritise funding for early childhood interventions through public clinics and schools.

3. Awareness campaigns: Many parents are still unaware of how therapy can help. Educating communities can reduce stigma and promote acceptance. (community social workers or professionals in the field can educate public)

4. Private-public partnerships: Clinics, NGOs, and government bodies can collaborate to offer subsidised therapy to those who need it most.

 

Investing in therapy access in Goa is not just a social need but it’s also an economic opportunity. If the government, private sector, and insurance companies come together to recognise therapy as essential healthcare, it can create a wave of local employment in a field that is both meaningful and future focused.

 

• Therapists will have local work opportunities

 

Currently, many trained speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and ABA therapists leave Goa or remain underemployed because of the lack of structured therapy centres and limited demand due to affordability. With insurance coverage and more awareness, more children will begin therapy, and therapists will find stable, full-time employment right in their own state

 

• Reverse brain drain

 

Many Goan professionals working in Dubai, the U.K., or elsewhere in India are trained in child development fields but choose not to return because of the lack of infrastructure. With therapy becoming more viable as a career back home, we could see a return of skilled Goan professionals who want to serve their community while living close to family.

 

• Partnerships with Gulf-based Goans

 

Goans abroad can invest in or support therapy centres, contribute through teletherapy, fund scholarships for low-income families, or provide training workshops for local professionals. This opens up a circular economy of care and contribution between Goans in Goa and Goans overseas.

 

• Long-term economic gain

 

Early intervention reduces the need for special schooling, medical treatments, and mental health crises in later years. In the long run, an investment in therapy access saves the government money and builds a stronger, more independent workforce in the future.

We stand at a turning point. Goa has the heart, the talent, and the spirit to become a place where every child regardless of their ability has access to the support they need to thrive. Therapy is not a luxury. It’s a right. It’s a bridge between struggle and success, silence and speech, isolation and connection. The time to act is now.

(The writer is a medical and psychiatric social worker and behavioural therapist based in ABA-Dubai)