November 2012 - Navigating Autism

Love and Marriage – Practical Advice for Parents to Keep a Marriage Alive

November 26, 2012November 26, 2012 by Melissa Areffi

We all see so many gems of advice for keeping your marriage fresh and alive – dress up, role play, romantic dinners and/or getaways, making time for each other. Uh huh. I don’t know about you, but I’m too exhausted or frankly don’t have the time for that these days. It always feels like lately … Read more

Thanksgiving

November 21, 2012November 20, 2012 by Andy Areffi

Kennedy wrote a Thanksgiving day speech to say at dinner. We thought we’d share it with you. In the year 1621, the pilgrims and the Indians had the first Thanksgiving feast. To prepare they hunted, fished and grew veggies. Their feasted lasted three days. That’s a great abundance of food! At the first Thanksgiving, they … Read more

Melissa & Andy Talk about Navigating Autism with Monica Jackson on Fox 5 Las Vegas

November 13, 2012November 13, 2012 by Andy Areffi

Monica Jackson interviews Melissa & Andy Areffi about Navigating Autism: The Essential how to by Parents for Parents on KVVU Las Vegas Fox 5

What are Video Games and TV programs doing to our kids now – from ModernMom.com

November 6, 2012 by Andy Areffi

Here’s our latest piece from ModernMom.com. When we became parents we swore we’d never be the ones that complained about the influence of media on our kids. In our defense, it’s not about content but more about style but I still can’t help thinking… Oh God, I am that mom. Check it out here. Television … Read more

About the Areffis

The Areffis are the parents of three children with autism – Kennedy, age 10, Alex, age 9, and Bella, age 7. They wrote “Navigating Autism” because they were not able to find a book to guide them when Kennedy was diagnosed with autism in 2005. They were still struggling to get the assistance she needed when Alex was diagnosed on the spectrum in 2006 and Bella in 2008. They work tirelessly to support parents of autistic children, “We want to help as many people as possible,” says Melissa. “With early intervention, these kids can go on to become anything, and not dependent on disability services their entire lives. As parents, we want our kids to have a shot at happiness, and a ‘normal’ life. We figured we didn’t have any right to complain about how things are unless we did something about it to help.”