Spectrum Perspectives

Barbara Vartanian- Special Needs Dentistry- Part 2

When the doctor gave Barbie her son's autism diagnosis, they said “You’re going to be divorced within 6 months.” Eventually she did end up divorced, left California and moved to New Jersey where she lives now. She is working as the director of policies for NYU division of Oral Health, which is the largest dental school in the country. She says that schools are now required to teach future medical professionals how to work with the Special Needs community. She is creating a curriculum helps to increase access for oral care for the Special Needs community, and helps to train future dentists to be familiar with people with Special Needs. They have a 12 chair clinic where patients can come, and she also helps people to navigate insurance.

Barbara Vartanian-Special Needs Dentristry- Part 2

When the doctor gave Barbie her son's autism diagnosis, they said “You’re going to be divorced within 6 months.” Eventually she did end up divorced, left California and moved to New Jersey where she lives now. She is working as the director of policies for NYU division of Oral Health, which is the largest dental school in the country. She says that schools are now required to teach future medical professionals how to work with the Special Needs community. She is creating a curriculum helps to increase access for oral care for the Special Needs community, and helps to train future dentists to be familiar with people with Special Needs. They have a 12 chair clinic where patients can come, and she also helps people to navigate insurance.

Blake Baumann-ASPIE-R Autistic life coach for others on the Spectrum

After Blakes son was diagnosed with Asperger's (Autism) he too was diagnosed. He made a career change from being a VP in Tech to becoming a life coach to help others on the spectrum. He mentions the alarming rates of depression, bullying and unemployment, so Cindy asks what to do with kids who just sit in the basement and play video games all day! He has his clients take a look at what their beliefs are arbout themselves, their independence and their lifestyle, and works on their mindset. He says it's important for them to not only work on their physical self care, but also their mental self care as well. 
We invited Blake to do a breakout session at a retreat and he gave very helpful advice to parents. You can view the video on our Robbie's World YouTube channel. 

Melissa Doman-Sleep Expert for Special Needs Families

A very common problem for kids on the Spectrum is trouble sleeping through the night. Many parents will tell you that 3:00 am is a common time for them to wake up and be wide awake and full of energy. As a result most parents are exhausted. In this interview we talk with Melissa Doman who is a Sleep Specialist who works with families of children with Special Needs including Autism who helps them with getting their kids to sleep at night. Find her at MellisaDomanSleepConsulting.com

Lisa Srnka-SOS Stress Reset for parents of kids with Special Needs

Lisa Srnka is a Nurse Practitioner who Cindy met at an Autism Conference where she was helping Autism parents deal with stress levels. She combines Western Medicine along with Functional Medicine to help with reducing Cortisol levels in the body brought on by stress. Imbalances can cause sleep disturbance, weight gain, muscle fatigue, brain fog and inflammation. In this interview she talks about ways to help get them back in balance. 

Lisa Candera-Autism Mom Coach

Lisa Candera is known as "The Autism Mom Coach". She works with moms on ways to cope with burnout and being in constant fight or flight mode. She helps them to regulate their own nervous systems by taking a look at what's really going on inside their own minds and how they are interpreting the lift going on around them.

Keri Sharp-Twin sibling of a brother with Autism is now an SLP

Keri has a twin who was diagnosed with Autism. She talks about life growing up with him as a sibling, and becoming his guardian in the future. She is now a Speech Pathologist in New Jersey at a school for kids with Special Needs and also owns her own private practice where she works with kids and adults on the Spectrum.

Kelly Cain-Autism Caring Center in Pittsburg PA, Part 2

Cindy met Kelly when she spoke at her conference for Autism moms in Pittsburg, PA in 2022. Kelly is an Autism mom who started the "Autism Caring Center". She holds activities for Autism families trying to fill the gaps of what's needed in her area. She also does Autism training for businesses that want their employees to know how to interact with people with Autism. They raise money each year at the "Summer Fade Away Festival". Find out what that is when you listen to this episode.

Kelly Cain-Autism Caring Center in Pittsburg PA-Part 1

Cindy met Kelly when she spoke at her conference for Autism moms in Pittsburg, PA in 2022. Kelly is an Autism mom who started the "Autism Caring Center". She holds activities for Autism families trying to fill the gaps of what's needed in her area. She also does Autism training for businesses that want their employees to know how to interact with people with Autism. They raise money each year at the "Summer Fade Away Festival". Find out what that is when you listen to this episode.

Kim Bays- Martha's Ranch in Texas

Kim Bays is the mom of twin boys who are both on the spectrum. The also lives on an 800 acre cattle ranch in Texas. After a trip to Great Wolf Lodge she decided she wanted to create a place for autism families to go for a vacation and get some respite and celled it Martha's Ranch. After having her kids tested for food sensitivities, she has also worked on cooking foods that fit their special diets, and wants to help parents with this too.