Motherhood has a way of shifting how we see the world. For me, becoming a mother didn’t change my profession as a speech-language pathologist, but it transformed how I understood care. It deepened my empathy, sharpened my instincts, and gave me the courage to act. Therapy in India is often misunderstood. Families hesitate to seek help, and many keep it hidden from others. I’ve met mothers who sensed something was wrong but received no support. Few even asked us not to send therapy materials to their homes because their in-laws didn’t know. Sadly, this is common.
The need is real. One in eight children in India has a neurodevelopmental disorder, and speech delays are among the most reported concerns. An estimated one in 68 children in India is on the autism spectrum, though many remain unidentified due to stigma and limited access to care.
Therapy is not a quick fix. It takes time, emotional strength, and financial commitment. Often, mothers walk this road alone. Unless there’s a clear medical diagnosis, elders tend to dismiss concerns. “He’ll grow out of it” is something I hear far too often.
There is also a stark shortage of qualified professionals. Families often don’t know where to go or whom to trust.
When we founded 1SpecialPlace in 2014, long before telehealth was heard of, it was born from a need to bridge these gaps. We wanted to make therapy more accessible, flexible, and respectful of the family’s context. Online therapy felt like a powerful answer. It allowed families to seek support discreetly and from the comfort of their homes.
Today, 1SpecialPlace has helped over 40,000 families across 80 countries. We offer Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Special Education, Feeding Support, Mental Health Care, and more. In early 2025, we launched our hybrid model with a new on-site center in Noida, combining digital convenience with physical access.
We’ve created free screening tools for speech delay, autism, stuttering, and voice disorders, which help families recognize concerns early. Our social media awareness campaigns started as early as 2014, with mobile apps for speech-building games. We even built Speech Doctor, India’s first Alexa skill for speech support.
We’ve also expanded beyond therapy to build a larger ecosystem of care and community. Our proprietary therapy software ModThera, digital resource platform TheraKart, global newsletter Therapy 91, communities like Mother Diaries, Aging Mindfully, and the 1SpecialWoman Awards are part of our mission to inform, empower, and connect.
Our work has received numerous recognitions, and I am proud to contribute as an author, international speaker, and leader of change in the health tech space. But at the core of everything we do is one simple truth.
Motherhood didn’t make me a therapist. But it gave me the insight and fire to build something better for other mothers, for their children, and for the future of therapy in India.
At 1SpecialPlace, we listen closely. Because when mothers are heard, children thrive. And when care is shaped by compassion, it transforms everything.
About the Contributor
Pratiksha Gupta is the Founder and CEO of 1SpecialPlace, India’s first and leading private teletherapy platform for communication disorders. A pioneer in digital health innovation, she launched the platform in 2014 to make high-quality therapy accessible to families across India and the world.
With over 20 years of experience as a licensed Speech-Language Therapist and Audiologist, Pratiksha is a Gold Medalist from AIISH Mysuru and a master’s degree topper from University College London. Her professional journey spans clinical roles in the UK’s NHS, India’s leading hospitals, and schools.
Under her leadership, 1SpecialPlace has served clients in over 80 countries, delivered 80,000+ sessions, and empowered more than 120 women professionals. She has received numerous recognitions for her work and is widely regarded as an author, international speaker, and a changemaker in the health tech space.
This contribution is for the Mother’s Day Initiative #builtbymothers.
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