February 2013 - Navigating Autism

LA Times Travel Show Preview

February 24, 2013February 21, 2013 by Melissa Areffi

Check out Melissa’s review of the upcoming LA Times travel show this weekend at the LA Convention Center. http://www.modernmom.com/blogs/melissa-and-andrew-areffi/la-times-travel-show-preview By Melissa and Andrew Ar… on February 20, 2013

Nav Autism Update

February 11, 2013February 11, 2013 by Andy Areffi

Good morning – something exciting over the weekend. We’ve been corresponding with someone connected to the Connecticut study. Very interesting. We will have much more to report soon.

Advocates In Action to Help Californians in Need Navigate Bureaucratic Maze of Medical and Governmental Services

February 3, 2013February 3, 2013 by Andy Areffi

If you’re looking for an advocate that understands social security and disability please check these guys out. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/advocates-in-action-help-californians-need-navigate-bureaucratic-maze-medical-governmental-1746525.htm LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire – Jan 16, 2013) – Advocates In Action is a new Los Angeles-based business launched this month by veteran advocate Robert Schlesinger, who aims to assist seniors, intellectually or physically disabled persons and single … 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.”