autism Archives - Navigating Autism

Actress with Autism – Breaking Barriers.

August 11, 2019July 15, 2019 by Andy Areffi

13-year-old new comer Bella Zoe (Hour of Lead, The Infiltrators) has joined forces with actor Eric Michael Cole (DC’s Birds of Prey, The Laundromat) and writer/producer Sean Crouch (Lore, The Exorcist) to create the comedic super villain short film, Glory and Injustice.

Autism on the rise in Beirut and Mount Lebanon

December 3, 2014 by 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

Is their Life after the diagnosis 10 Tips for Parents New to Autism

December 1, 2014January 17, 2014 by Andy Areffi

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

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.”