Nirali | Founder
“The quality of an eminent leader is all about growing others.”
This narrative is special for us and our readers because it is about a trailblazing occupational therapist, educator, entrepreneur, and advocate for neurodiversity. Her professional career spans over a decade of impactful contributions to healthcare, education, and wellness.
Prime Insights magazine had the opportunity to applaud her profound contribution through an editorial release with the aim of drawing global attention to her work.
But our readers might be wondering, what makes her journey inspiring? Well, Ms. Nirali, right from her early academic achievements to founding ventures, has always promoted inclusivity and holistic health. She has consistently demonstrated leadership, innovation, and dedication to transforming lives, glimpses of which we are about to see in the pages ahead!
A Brief Introduction of the Luminary
Before delving into the insights of the conversation we had with Ms. Nirali, we would like to give our users a brief introduction to the inspiring entrepreneur. Ms. Niral holds over 10 years of experience as a school-based occupational therapist in the USA. She is the Founder of NIV: an EdTech startup bridging the gap between general and special education through proactive sensory-based interventions, improving engagement and attention in classrooms.
She is also the Founder of LeafyVeda, a holistic wellness brand cultivating nutrient-rich microgreens and creating curated health mixes. She also runs a communication medium named Nourish by Nir (available on YouTube and Spotify India), where she has conducted podcasts and vodcasts, featuring global occupational therapy leaders and neurodiverse voices.
Her “Neurodiverse Voices: Breaking Barriers and Embracing” series celebrates the achievements of neurodiverse individuals. Her leadership roles and advocacy efforts include:
- CADRE Member for CAPTAIN (California Autism Professionals Training & Information Network): As a trainer of trainers, she has presented at the CAPTAIN Summit and Autism Forum in San Joaquin County, sharing best practices for autism intervention.
- Board of Directors for OTAC (Occupational Therapy Association of California): Serving as the Executive Regional Director, she leads statewide initiatives advocating for occupational therapy and its vital role in healthcare and education.
- Educational Liaison for the Dyspraxia Foundation, USA: Raising awareness and support for individuals with dyspraxia while bridging educational and therapeutic gaps.
Prime Insights: Greetings, Ms. Nirali. It is an absolute pleasure to share this platform with you. To start, could you provide our readers with a brief overview of what occupational therapy is and how it is perceived by India’s population?
Thank you for such a heartwarming welcome. Occupational therapy (OT) is a holistic healthcare profession that empowers individuals to lead independent, meaningful lives by addressing physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges. Whether it’s helping children with autism engage in purposeful play or supporting adults with disabilities to perform daily activities, OT focuses on enhancing life skills and participation in meaningful roles.
Pursuing my education in this transformative field became not just a choice but a calling that resonated deeply within me. My academic odyssey commenced at MCHP, Manipal, a place that soon became the cornerstone of my knowledge and passion for occupational therapy. I found a passion in working for children with special needs, including those with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, developmental disorders, and more.
In India, the perception of OT is gradually evolving. While awareness is growing in urban areas, there’s still a gap in understanding its full potential. Many still equate OT solely with physiotherapy, but through education and advocacy, we’re working to highlight its unique role in bridging the gap between medical care and functional independence. In the pediatric sector, Occupational therapy can immensely change the course of the lives of children with the disabilities mentioned above.
Prime Insights: Can you walk us through your early academic years and values that strengthened your career?
I completed my Bachelor’s in occupational therapy from Manipal University, where I gained extensive knowledge in pediatric development and healthcare. During the early years of my career, I founded SHISHU—Child Development and Early Intervention Centre, where I undertook the responsibility of leading a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals dedicated to supporting children with developmental delays and disabilities.
Committed to serving underserved populations, I also mentored free screenings and home programs in rural areas, ensuring access to essential healthcare for those most in need. Here, we also curated an interdisciplinary team comprising occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and special educators. Together, we focused on client-centered services, ensuring that each intervention was tailored to meet the unique needs of every child. The creation of a sensory intervention area was a testament to our commitment to comprehensive care.
After my bachelor’s, I pursued an MBA in Healthcare Management from California, USA. This decision was fueled by my passion for learning the strategic and operational skills for entrepreneurial and leadership roles.
Prime Insights: Ms. Nirali, we also happen to come across the fact that you also have expertise in dealing with children having autism. Can you tell us more about the same?
Working with children with autism has been a deeply rewarding part of my career. With over 10 years as a school-based occupational therapist in the USA, I have developed and implemented innovative programs for autistic children that focus on overall development of children including fine motor, handwriting, social interaction, sensory processing and cognitive skills. Our autistic programs are rooted in proactive, sensory-based interventions to enhance student participation and self-regulation in school. As a school-based Occupational therapist and a certified autism specialist, I have provided mentorship in the form of over 100 professional trainings to occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, social workers, teachers, paraprofessionals and parents. My approach is rooted in strength-based and evidence-based practices, ensuring every child is supported holistically.
My vision for the future is to witness my ventures as platforms for inclusive education, proactive sensory interventions, and holistic health practices, blending ancient Vedic wisdom with modern methodologies. We are working on creating sustainable models that empower individuals and communities, from nurturing early development to promoting self-independence, confidence and building a pathway to success for every individual.
Prime Insights: To conclude this conversation, we would like you to address our readers with a few words of enlightenment.
In my journey as an occupational therapist, I have realized how much power care, compassion, and simply understanding the problems of others can bring to improving the society around us. The path to making a difference begins with awareness and empathy. Whether it’s understanding neurodiversity, promoting health and wellness, or simply supporting those around us, small, intentional actions can lead to transformative change.
Embrace inclusivity in all aspects of life—it’s not just about creating space for everyone but ensuring that each person feels valued and empowered. As I often remind myself, growth happens when we nurture not only our own potential but also the potential of those around us. Together, we can create a world where diversity is celebrated, equity is upheld, and everyone has the tools to thrive. Every step I take is guided by the belief that our profession holds the power to transform lives and create a world where every individual receives the care and attention they truly deserve.