Society & Culture
In this deeply moving episode of The Iceberg Theory Podcast, host Neetu Gambhir sits down with Dr. Suman Saraf — a physiotherapist, healer, and the powerhouse founder of Turtle Play School and Suman Autism Centre.
As a mother to a child on the autism spectrum, Dr. Suman shares her raw, real, and resilient journey — from rejection at schools to impacting 13,000+ lives.
Topics Covered:
The emotional world of autism beyond the diagnosis
The struggles society doesn’t see
The heartbreaking moment her son was denied admission
The surprising things that triggered meltdowns
What most parents still don’t know about autism
This episode is a must-watch for educators, parents, and anyone who wants to create a more inclusive world.
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#AutismAwareness #IcebergTheoryPodcast #NeetuGambhir #DrSumanSaraf #TurtlePlaySchool #InclusiveEducation #ParentingJourney #neurodiversity
About the guest:
Dr. Suman Saraf is a renowned Indian autism expert, educator, and healthcare professional based in Hyderabad. She is widely recognized for her pioneering efforts in the field of autism therapy and child development. As the founder of the Madhav Autism Foundation and the Suman Autism Centre, she has dedicated her life to supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families through a multidisciplinary approach that combines medical therapy, alternative healing, education, and psychological support.
Education and Qualifications
Dr. Saraf's academic journey reflects her commitment to acquiring comprehensive knowledge and skills in the areas of physiotherapy, special education, and integrative therapies. Her qualifications include:
• Bachelor of Arts in English Honours
• Diploma in Physiotherapy – First class with distinction
• B.Ed. in Special Education (Mental Retardation) – Distinction
• M.A. in Clinical Psychology
• Sibling Training Course – National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID)
• Vocational Training – NIEPID
• Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) Certification – National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH)
• Behavior Modification Course – NIEPID
• Brain Gym Certification – Trained under international practitioners
• Certified Yoga Therapist – Ministry of AYUSH
• Certified in Reiki Healing
• Practitioner of Dowsing, Magnified Healing, Access Bars, Crystal Healing, and Acupressure
Dr. Saraf established the Madhav Autism Foundation and the Suman Autism Centre in Hyderabad in 2017. These institutions serve as comprehensive autism support centers offering various services including:
• Physiotherapy
• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Behavior therapy
• Nutritional counseling
• Special education support
• Yoga and movement-based therapies
• Alternative healing therapies
The foundation is named after her son, Madhav, and reflects her personal commitment to the cause. The center has become a beacon of hope for parents seeking individualized care plans for their children, particularly those who do not respond well to mainstream medical treatment alone.
Her centers focus on early intervention, an inclusive therapy environment, and family education to ensure long-term developmental improvements in children.
Dr. Saraf’s work has been recognized at both state and national levels.
About the Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetugambhir/