Pick One's with Derek. The Three Guys interview Erik Voigt Autism Blogger, Head of Dual Spectrum Dad, Operations Manager, and Special Education Advocate Melanie Nazarian.
Melanie Nazarian is a Special Education Advocate specializing in special education and assists parents and their children with accessing their educational rights. She also supports students in Southern New Hampshire up through the age of 21.
Autism: What is Autism? - Autism Society (autism-society.org)
Erik Voigt is a dad of two autistic children, heads Dual Spectrum Dad on Facebook, and has his own personal Autism Blog.
Erik discusses how he educated himself and became more knowledgeable of Autism, his children's diagnosis, difficulty to get information on autism years ago, ways that he is sharing information and advocating for Autism, difficulties of parenting and navigating the many agencies, States with the best resources, and his plans for furthering his education of Autism.
Melanie dives into the many agencies/programs available to parents and ways to navigate the application process including enrollment and timing. She discusses the diagnosis process and having to be seen by highly specialized doctors. She breaks down a special needs trust and how it differs from a traditional trust. Melanie and Erik talk accessing services, costs of schooling for autistic children, how diagnosis of autism has evolved over time, options for parents once their child turns 22 years of age and services available to them.
Erik & Melanie breakdown the many agencies available to parents including:
- ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) | Autism Speaks
- BCBA (is a company that provides ABA therapy) BCBA Services for Autism | Autism Speaks
- DDS (Department of Developmental Services) Department of Developmental Services | Mass.gov
- IEP (Individualized Education Program) Individualized Education Plan (IEP) - Autism Society (autism-society.org)
- Mass Health
Erik Voigt
Blog: dualspectrumdad | Stories From The Autism World (wordpress.com)
Facebook: (6) Dual Spectrum Dad | Facebook
LinkedIn: (3) Erik Voigt | LinkedIn
Melanie Nazarian
Facebook: (6) Melanie Nazarian | Facebook
LinkedIn:
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Episode Produced by The Three Guys Productions
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Derek: Derek DePetrillo (@derekd0518) • Instagram photos and videos
Brian: Brian Nazarian (@the_real_brian_nazarian) • Instagram photos and videos
Brett: Brett J. DePetrillo @78brettzky - Instagram