December 2012 - Navigating Autism

Autism kids need not apply

December 14, 2012 by Melissa Areffi

I got a newsletter from my kids’ school, where the awards were given for things like math, science and literature – okay, I know that’s not where my kids’ strengths are. Then I saw it – photography, art and film making. And I had to respond – why wasn’t my kids’ class participating in this? … Read more

Kennedy’s Thanksgiving Day Speech

December 12, 2012December 12, 2012 by Andy Areffi

I wasn’t going to put this up but Kennedy asked to share it with all of you. Happy Christmas, Chanukah, Ramadan, Kwanza and Festivus for the rest of us.

Do Autism Families affected by Sandy know It’s Christmas?

December 6, 2012December 6, 2012 by Andy Areffi

About 3 years ago AutismCares helped our family out when I was laid off from Dreamworks Animation. I know personally that they do good work. There are still thousands of families affected by Sandy still without power or heat, including autism families. Lately we’ve seen news footage of politicians slapping each other on the back … Read more

Fresno – There and back again

December 4, 2012December 1, 2012 by Andy Areffi

Here are just a few amazing pictures from the road of our 24 hour turn around trip to Fresno in the rain.

We had a great time on Great Day Fresno

December 1, 2012 by Andy Areffi

We just went up and back to Fresno in the rain to talk to Jim De La Vega and Kim Stephens on Great Day Fresno. We even gave away 3 books to callers. It was great interview even with all the rain. And Kopi Sotiropulos was kind enough to watch the kids just off camera. … 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.”