Episode 84 - Michael Pereira
Mending Families is hosted by Melissa Pemberton and she brings you weekly content that is a mix of trauma aware interviews, parenting tips for those caring for kids from adversity, and stories from people just like you as they share their beautiful messy moments. Melissa hopes that when you listen each week, you will feel encouraged, inspired and take a little something away to help you and your family move from broken to mended.
On today’s episode, Michael discusses his experience as a parent of a child with autism, sharing insights on diagnosis, therapy, education, and daily challenges. He explored various strategies for supporting children with autism, including diet modifications, behavioral therapies, and educational accommodations. The conversation also touched on the importance of financial planning, self-care, and resources for families navigating the autism journey.
Michael Pereira, founder of The Autism Voyage, helps parents of special needs children navigate financial and life-planning challenges. As a financial professional and autism dad, he knows firsthand the importance of proactive planning. His mission is to bridge the gap between insurance strategies and real-life challenges, empowering families to secure their future with confidence. Today, he’s here to share his journey and practical steps every family should consider.
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Topics Michael mentions:
*If you suspect your child is on the Autism Spectrum, talk to your pediatrician or make an appointment with a Psychologist to have them assessed
*It is okay for you to start questioning and thinking about the future when your child has a new diagnosis
*Michael’s family found that cutting out gluten has helped their son feel better in his body
*Working as a team, asking questions, and giving input with the school to develop an IEP that provides the best support for their son is Michael’s best advice for advocating for our kids
*Michael has curated blogs on his website, https://theautismvoyage.com/, as well as some resources for financial planning when you have kids with high needs
*Michael recommends having a letter of intent for your kids and offers a template on his website
*Michael has learned a lot from the www.autismspeaks.org website
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