The Essential how-to by parents—for parents
Andy Areffi Autism on the rise around the world BEIRUT: New research reveals that the rate of autism in Beirut and Mount Lebanon has risen to one in 67, according to specialists who attended the second conference held by the OpenMinds Association and AUBMC Special Kids Clinic. The conference, held at the American University of Beirut Medical … Read more
Melissa and Andy will be speaking at the Parent’s Place along with Dr. Temple Grandin. Melissa & Andy will share personal stories about life with three children on the autism spectrum. Topics include what to do after the autism diagnosis, knowing your end game with autism and the importance of keeping your relationship strong. Hosted … Read more
Kennedy Areffi got to meet David Hasselhoff yesterday on the set of his new movie, Killing Hasselhoff. Recently (and quite coincidentally) Kennedy discovered David’s performance of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde in the Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde on Youtube.com. When David heard that Kennedy didn’t know anything about a talking car (Knight Rider) or … Read more
Universal Studios Hollywood and autism – is that possible you ask? Yes it is. I don’t know about your school system but ours has cut summer so short it nearly seemed like we didn’t get one at all. This holiday season we’re trying to plan things on smaller scales, since a two-week vacation isn’t something … Read more
Summer is over and it’s back to school and time for our end of summer theme park review. If you’re like us, you’re already thinking about where you’re going to do on winter break or even next summer. So, what to do? That’s always the question when it comes to family vacation for typical families … Read more
Parents of kids on the spectrum, parents of neurotypical kids and non parents – where do you come down on this one? We are not asking this question to be snide or condescending – given that there are real world consequences, to doing/not doing, that don’t stop with just you or your child, should you … Read more
Autism costs could run into the millions for each and every child diagnosed. When you multiply that by the hundreds of thousands of kids diagnosed per year you are talking hundreds of billions of dollars mostly paid by the tax payers. We need to put as many kids on the path to becoming tax payers with … Read more
If you haven’t heard. Google is taking active steps to change the way people look at #autism. Way to go Google. http://www.autismspeaks.org/site-wide/google Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, and to advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and … Read more
Is their Life after the diagnosis of autism? That is the unspoken question of Parents new to autism -What would you do if you heard the words, “Your child has autism?” What would go through your mind if you heard those words? Would you freak out? We felt this shock when we first learned of … Read more
Red Bird Shaun of the Dead is Kennedy Areffi’s first parody trailer she used to learn editing. Some of you know that Kennedy Athena has been learning to make movies. She saw the trailer for Shaun of the Dead on Youtube (still trying to figure out how) and decided to make her own version with … Read more