Biography & achievements

Asha Chitnis is an accomplished and experienced physiotherapist specialized in pediatric neurology and rehabilitation. She obtained her B.Sc. in Physiotherapy in 1984 and M.PT. in Physical Therapy in 1986, being awarded Best Student of the Year.

Her career spans over 30 years during which she has made significant contributions to the field of pediatric physiotherapy in India. After starting her career at leading hospitals in Mumbai, she gained international expertise by pursuing courses and trainings in specialized techniques like Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT) and Sensory Integration in the USA.

Ms.Chitnis has been involved in teaching and mentoring other physiotherapists through workshops, seminars and courses. She assisted in conducting several NDT certificate courses in India and abroad as an instructor. She has presented research papers at national and international conferences and published articles.

In recognition of her distinguished service, Ms.Chitnis has received prestigious awards including a National Award by the Indian Association of Physiotherapists. She has held leadership positions in renowned associations like the Neuro Developmental Treatment Association (USA) and Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy. Through rehabilitation camps, rural initiatives and free clinics, she has made therapy accessible to underprivileged children across India. 

Currently, Ms.Chitnis runs her own pediatric neurology clinic and continues to teach, train therapists and conduct workshops, upholding excellent standards in her profession. Her prolific career and commitment has advanced the field of pediatric physiotherapy in India and abroad.

Membership for Professional Institutes / Organisations.

• Life member of Pediatric Orthopedic Society of India - POSI.
• Life member of Indian Association of Physiotherapists - IAP.
• Certified member of Neuro Developmental Treatment Association - NDTA, Ped.
• American Academy of Cerebral Palsy.
• Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy.

Academic Activities

1. Conducted workshop on “Early Intervention for High-Risk Babies” for resident Neonatologists & nurses working in department of pediatrics of two leading hospitals in Bombay.
2. Conducted lectures for post-Graduates students at All India Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Haji Ali, Bombay, every year till 1995; on “Early Intervention & Neuro Developmental Treatment in Pediatrics”.
3. A lecture series on “Introduction to Neuro Developmental Treatment” at the Indian Association of Physiotherapists, Bombay Branch - September 1995.
4. Conducted pre-conference course on NDT at 34^th Indian Association of Physiotherapists Annual Conference at Bangalore,1996.
5. Courses on Introduction to “Neuro Developmental Treatment” every year at Bombay since February 1996, for Physiotherapists.
6. Conducts lectures for Indian Association of Pediatrics at on “Early Intervention for High-Risk Babies” till date.
7. Conducted three weekends course for “Speech Therapy School”, at Nair Hospital, Bombay in September 1997.
8. Invited to give talk on “Management of Spasticity” by I.A.P. Bombay Branch, at Wadia Children’s Hospital in July 1998.
9. PPG Group Invited to give talk on “Combining NDT & SI (Sensory Integration)”, in developmental delays, in November 1998, Bombay.
10. Conducting courses on “Motor Control Problems” every year since 1999 in Bombay.
11. Conducting courses on “Evaluation of Sensory Processing Problems”, every year since 1999 in Bombay.
12. Conducted workshop on “Sensory Integration” H.N. Hospital, Bombay.
13. Conducted workshop on “Autism” in May 1999, for POSAT, Bombay.
14. Oration lecture on “Motor Control” at NARCOD in Nagpur, June 1999.
15. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to NDT” at NARCOD in Nagpur, June 1999.
16. Gave lecture on “Management of Parkinson’s Disease” at Jaslok Hospital, Bombay for PPG Group in January 2000.
17. Invited to give lecture at Institute of Child Health, Egmore & Chennai on “Role of Physiotherapists in Evaluation & Treatment of CP Population with Botox”, in February 2000.
18. Conducted “CME Workshop on Early Intervention” for Indian Association of Pediatrics & American Academy of Pediatrics, in Bombay - February 2000.
19. Invited to give lecture on “Role of Physiotherapists in Evaluation & Treatment of CP    Population with Botox”, at St. Stephen’s Hospital, New Delhi, as one of the faculties,in March 2000.
20. Gave a lecture on “Introduction to CP” during Global Awareness Week at Bombay Hospital, Bombay, in March 2000.
21. Conducted “Assessment for the use of Botox I.T.B. in Spasticity” at Bombay Hospital, Bombay, in April 2000.
22. Conducted course on Introduction to “Neuro Developmental Treatment” at Nagpur & Ahemdabad in November 2000.
23. Conducted workshop on “Cerebral Palsy”, at Wadia Children’s Hospital, Bombay for POSI 2000, as part of the International Conference.
24. Conducted “Assessment of Patients of Spasticity for Intrathecal Baclophen Pump” work with Prof. Barry Rawicki of Australia Dr.Uady Andhar at Bombay Hospital.
25. Gave a lecture on “Role of Physiotherapists in Evaluation & Treatment of CP Population with Botox”, at Nizam Institute, Hyderabad & Bangalore, in March 2001.
26. Gave a lecture on “Role of Physiotherapists in Evaluation & Treatment of CP Population with Botox”, in Jaipur in March 2002.
27. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to NDT” for Sancheti College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Two Weekends in February 2003.
28. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to NDT” for AAKASH, Chennai, Two Weekends in December 2003.
29. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to NDT” for Sancheti College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Two Weekends in February 2004.
30. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to Evaluation of Sensory Processing Problems” for Sancheti College of Physiotherapy, at Pune, Two Weekends in May 2004.
31. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to NDT” for Sancheti College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Two Weekends in February 2005.
32. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to Evaluation of Sensory Processing Problems” for Sancheti College of Physiotherapy, at Pune, Two Weekends in May 2005.
33. Conducted Pre Conference workshop on “Trunk Facilitation” Hands on Workshop For 44th Annual Conference of the Indian Association of physiotherapy at Ahmedabad, in January 2006.
34. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to NDT” for Sancheti College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Two Weekends in February 2006.
35. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to Evaluation of Sensory Processing Problems” for Sancheti College of Physiotherapy, at Pune, Two Weekends in May 2006.
36. Invited to give talk on “Role of Botolinum Toxin in cerebral palsy” by Indian academy of pediatrics, at Nagpur  in June 2006.
37. Invited to give talk on “Recent advances in M/M of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy” by Indian academy of pediatrics, Nagpur in July 2006.
38. Conducted workshop on “Motor Control Problems” for V.S.P.M.’S College of physiotherapy, at Nagpur Two Weekends in July 2006.
39. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to NDT” for NARCOD rehabilitation setup, at Nagpur Two Weekends in August 2006.
40. Conducted workshop on “Introduction to NDT” for Civil Hospital college of Physiotherapy, at Ahmedabad in Sept. 2006.
41. Conducted workshop on “Non Ablative Methods in Cerebral Palsy” for Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy, at Hyderabad in  November 2006.
42. Conducted workshop on “Symposia on Assessment of children with cerebral palsy ” for Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy, at Hyderabad  in November 2006.
43. Assisted “NDT /Bobath Certificate Course in the Treatment and Management of Individuals with Cerebral Palsy - NDTA – Approved Course ” Mumbai, India, from December 2006 To January 2007 By Judith Bierman (P.T.), Gail  Ritchie (O.T.), Loren Arnaboldi (SLP).
44. Conducted Symposium on “Moving Towards Function” For 45th Annual Conference of the Indian Association of physiotherapy at Kolkatta, in February 2007.
45. Assisted “NDT /Bobath Certificate Course in the Treatment and Management of Individuals with Cerebral Palsy - NDTA – Approved Course ” Hariss, New York, from 18^th June 2007 to 29^th June 2007 By Jane Styer Acevedo (P.T.), Lezilelder (O.T.), Loren Arnaboldi (SLP).
46. Attended 46^th Annual Conference of The Indian Association of Physiotherapists at Dehradun, Uttarakhand from 10 – 12^th January, 2008.
47. Attended “Pre-Conference Babies in the NICU, Using Developmental & Therapeutic Perspective as a Basis for Integrating NDT into the NICU” at the National NDT Conference Ananheim, California from 28^th May, 2008 to 1^st June, 2008.
48. Attended “National Conference NDT: The Foundation of Treatment For Babies During the First Year of Life” Perspectives in Research & Therapeutic Intervention Conference Ananheim, California from 28^th May, 2008 to 1^st June, 2008.
49. Attended “NDTA Clinical Handling Skills – Advanced” from June 11 – 15 June 2008, Amherst, New York.
50. Attended Workshop for “Adults with Cerebral Palsy: A Workshop to Define the Challenges of Treating and Preventing the Secondary Musculoskeletal and Neuromuscular Complications in this Rapidly Growing Population” at American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, at Atlanta, GA from 16^th Sept. – 17^th Sept. 2008.
51. Attending all NDTA conferences till date
52. Attended the 62^nd Annual Meeting of the “American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine” “Making a Difference: Treatment Throughout the Life Span”, at Atlanta, GA from 17^th Sept. – 20^th Sept. 2008.
53. Conducted Symposium on ““From Intention to Action-Family Centered Services” 3rd IACP annual pre-conference Nagpur 2008, Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy - Disability to Ability.
54. Conducted Symposium at WCPT – AWP & IAP Congress 2009 – Mumbai “Restriction to participation” Pediatric Therapy Perspective.
55. Conducted Symposium at WCPT – AWP & IAP Congress 2009 – Mumbai “Modulating spasticity in children with C.P” Pediatric Therapy  Perspective.
56. Attended a post conference workshop: Upper extremity treatment in hemiplegia- adult perspective by Monica diamond (PT)
57. Co-ordinated a workshop on Aging, Agility and Women’s health conducted by Marilyn Moffat (WCPT president).
58. Assisting “NDT /Bobath Certificate Course in the Treatment and Management of Individuals with Cerebral Palsy - NDTA – Approved Course ”  Sikeston, Missouri, from 18^th June 2009 to 17^th August 2009 By Barbara Hodge (P.T.), Linda Kliebhan, PT, Rona Alexander, SLP, Gail Ritchie OTR.
59. Was a part of a pediatric medical camp (evaluation and treatment) conducted by a NGO in Kashmir, India as a physical therapist, along with a pediatric neurologist. ( February & April 2009.)
60. Conducted CMEs for students and for practicing physical and occupational therapists: Introduction to NDT and NDT facilitation in Mumbai and Pune.
61. Along with a neonatologist, I am involved in teaching Normal development and Early intervention to the MD and DCh students at the well-known Bombay Hospital, Mumbai, India.
62. Conducted a CME on Introduction to NDT at the Medical College in Sri-Lanka in the year 2009 October.
63. Participated in a pediatric camp conducted in Lilavati hospital, Mumbai. (November 2009)
64. Visiting faculty at MGM college, Mumbai and Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, faculty of Disability management and Special education, Coimbatore, India.
65. January 2010 - IACP 2010 Mumbai: (Indian association of cerebral palsy) Guest Lecture on Strength, endurance and fitness training in Cerebral palsy.
66. January 2010 – Attended a Workshop on Sensory Processing Problems & Treatment in Autism – Kim Barthel, Israel.
67. January 2010 – Conducted a Workshop on Trunk in function in The Indian Association of Physiotherapist, Mangalore.
68. January 2010 – Fellowship Awarded by The Indian Association of Physiotherapists, Mangalore.
69. Attended a workshop on research methodology conducted by Dhara Kapoor (MSPT) in Pune.
70. Attended “National Conference NDT : May 2010. NDT in the Clinics St. Louis.
71. Assisted “NDT /Bobath Certificate Course in the Treatment and       Management of Individuals with Cerebral Palsy -  NDTA – Approved Course ”  Spastic Society, Singapore from 28^th June, to 9^th July, 2010 by Timmie Wallace, PT Marry Rose Frazepin, PT, Kim Barthel, OTR.
72. 49^th Annual Conference of the IAP – 2011, Pune, India, Guest Lecture on Early Intervention 7^th, 8^th & 9^th January,  2011.
73. “Treatment of the Child with Dystonia for Functional Outcomes. A Guide for Pediatric Therapists” 49^th Annual Conference Jan 2011 Pune, India – Instructors Jane Styer – Acevedo & Asha Chitnis.
74. Assisted “NDT /Bobath Certificate Course in the Treatment and       Management of Individuals with Cerebral Palsy” -  NDTA – Approved Course, Pune India 12^th Jan. 2011 to 25^th Feb. 2011. By Jane Styer Acevedo (P.T.), Lezilelder (O.T.), Therese McDermott, CCC-SLP. Kathlene Ganeley
75. The Students conference of IAP - speaker – “Peadritic Thearpis prespective in practice” (31 Aug 2011 – 1 Sept 2013)
76. 50th Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Physiotherapist speaker "Prevention of Deformity a Myth or possibility in Cerebral Palys" from 9th and 10th March  2012
77. "National Conference on Physiotherapy in Community Health" 1st and 2nd Oct 2012 organised by department of PHysiotherapy, padmashree Dr D Y Patil University , Nerul Navi Mumbai speaker on “Early intervention and role of PT in NICU”
78. Shri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Rajkot, Gujarat  speaker  for “Celebral Palsy – A Mission “ (29,30 Sept 2012)
79. ISPO 2013 World Congress 001  – 4^th to 7 Feb 2013 Hyderabad, India speaker “Advanced Dynamic Orthotic Management for the child with Cerebral Palsy”
80. 51th Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Physiotherapist 21th to 23 Feb 2013 Goa speaker “Recent trends in pediatric Physio Thearphy”
81. Peaditric Orthopedic conference 2014 Lahore Pakistan. 28 Feb &  1^st March 2013 Speaker for the the CP workshop – Recent trends in the management of Cerebral Palsy.
82. International conference Cerebral Palsy and development medicine Lucknow conference 6^th to 9^th  of March 2013 – Conducted pre conference workshop on sensory and motor problems in childrens with cerebral palsy , I leg to stand upon, better stance creates better swing, Breakfast session “Early intervention and treatment of a baby” “Ball dynamics.
83. Indian academy of Cerebral Palsy (IACPCON )  conference 2013, 21, 22, Dec 2013 – Ahmedabad speaker “Challenges of Adolescent CP”
84. Bharti Hospital & Research Centre, Pune Conducted a hands on workshop : A Trunk in function (22, 23 Feb 2014, 8^th 9^th March 2014)
85. Conducted a workshop “Advanced Handling and problem solving – Treatment Strategies for the Rib Cage, Shoulder Girdle, and Trunk” Mumbai 2014 by Asha Chitnis
86. Shri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Rajkot, Gujarat Conducted a workshop “Overview of Neruo Developmental Therapy and Sensory Integration Therapy” 11^th and 13 April 2014
87. Teaching various short and long courses across the globe till date.

Work Experience

• Honorary Physiotherapist at Sushrushah Hospital, Bombay, from January 1984 - June 1995.
• Set up Lions Physiotherapy Centre at Municipal Hospital, Valsad - July 1985.
• Clinical Training at All India Institute of physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Research Society, Bombay, from December 1984 - May 1985.
• Research Fellow - All India Institute of physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• Research Society, Bombay, from December 1984 - May 1985.
• Working as Assistant Honorary Physiotherapist at Bombay Hospital, Bombay, since July 1986.
• Visiting Physiotherapist to Governor of Maharashtra from 1987 to May 1990.
• Attending Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bombay Hospital since 1991.
• Worked at the North Seashore Hospital for Children at Children Hospital of Philadelphia, U.S.A., in November 1994.
• Since December 1996, I have been operating my own clinic treating patients with Neurological Disorders.
• Set up a department for Pediatric Neurological Patients, at Bhaktivedant Hospital at Mira Road, Bombay in 1998.
• Teaching Master’s students (for pediatric physical therapy) at MAHEKMC, Manipal,  University of Bombay, Pune & Gujrat.
• Consultant Pediatric Physiotherapist at various centers in Chennai, Madurai, Ahmedabad & Surat for last 4 years.  
• Workshop conducted with Dr.Ashok JoharI to train therapist across India in role of Physiotherapy in evaluation & treatment with Botulinum Toxin - A.
• Conducted Akash 2002/03/04 - a workshop in role of Pediatric Physiotherapy for the Sundaram Medical foundation, Chennai.
• Conducted series of workshops in ‘Role of Physiotherapy in Evaluation & Treatment with Botulinum Toxin – ‘A’ at Bangkok, Manila & Kuala Lumpur in March 2003.

Positions Held

• Vice President - Indian academy of Cerebral Palsy from 2011 to till date.
• On Editorial Board of Indian Journal of Cerebral Palsy from 2012.
• On NDTA Network Committee USA from 2011 to till date.
• On NDTA conference planning committee, community connections, course Review from 2020 till date

Founder member and governing council member Society of Indian therapist