This is the last episode for our Autism Awareness series and we wanted to end it with an interview with someone who lives with the diagnosis. Gohar is Olympia’s (our guest host) niece and she answered some of our questions with what it’s like to live with Autism. You have to hear it!

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing heard on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Olympia Instagram: https://bit.ly/39P5ci5

Kristine, who has two boys on the spectrum, is a board member who specializes in Support for AAOP (Armenian Autism Outreach Project) and she sat with guest host Olympia Megrikyan and talked about why support is necessary, her own experience with support, and where to find it.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing heard on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Olympia Instagram: https://bit.ly/39P5ci5

Armenian Autism Outreach Project (AAOP): http://www.armenianautism.org

Empower Chicly Instagram: https://bit.ly/3c1LHEq

Sonni Charness is the founder of Guidelight Group, a boutique agency providing premium services to teens and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in California. Sonni brings over a decade of experience working with teens and adults with developmental disabilities and is an expert in community integration and employment services. She leads the team at Guidelight Group and also works personally with clients both privately and as an independent facilitator in the Self-Determination Program. She sat down with guest-host Olympia Megrikyan and talked all about transition-aged teens & adults, education, and employment for teens and adults with Autism.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing heard on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Olympia Instagram: https://bit.ly/39P5ci5

Guidelight Group: www.guidelightgroup.org

Empower Chicly Instagram: https://bit.ly/3c1LHEq

Taleen Khatchadourian is President of the Armenian Autism Outreach Project and a former Regional Center Board Member. She sat down with guest-host Olympia Megrikyan and gave us the breakdown with California’s Regional Center, insurance (getting your co-pays covered), generic services, schools’ responsibility, non-profit organizations, and advocacy for your child.

After our interview with Taleen Khatchadourian, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) announced that the prevalence of Autism is up. 1 out of every 54 children are diagnosed with Autism (This is up from 1:59).

Taleen would also like to finish her thoughts about trusting teachers. “As much as we all know there are some wonderful teachers who are only looking out for the best interest of our children, there are those that may be ill-informed. So, keep in mind that at the end of the day, YOU are the parent, and YOU know what is going on with your child. Don’t be blind, Listen to all the information being shared. But also, trust your gut and ask for DATA. If you do not understand something that the school, regional center, doctors or therapists are telling you, ASK them to explain. Take notes, get everything in writing and come home to cross-check with others. ”

Lastly, Taleen would like to say, “PLEASE make sure you are choosing programs (educational, medical or behavioral) that are research-based. Make sure the research is done by an independent 3rd party. Be aware of the pros and cons before you choose an experimental or unproven method of therapy or medical solution. Ask other parents that you know and trust what their experiences have been. And remember, your child’s well being and happiness should always be your guiding light. ”

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing heard on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Olympia Instagram: https://bit.ly/39P5ci5

Dr. Mariam Tsaturyan is interviewed by guest host Olympia Megrikyan and she talks about the diagnosis as a whole, symptoms to look out for, the spectrum (high & low functioning), what happens after diagnosis, the grieving process (for parent & child), when (and if) you should tell your child they have Autism, and moving forward with life.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing heard on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Divya Gugnani is a serial entrepreneur & mom of two. She helped launch Wander Beauty to create fewer, better, beauty essentials so that every step in your routine gives you maximum impact with minimum effort. Divya shares her story of entrepreneurship, how she balances work/home life, and exclusive business advice.

Nayri is a stylist, a buyer, an educator, a podcaster, and a best-selling author she is also known as THE wedding and fashion expert in the bridal industry. She sat down with our host, Greta Gasparian, to talk all about dress shopping, tips on finding the right dress, styling, and so much more.

We will be giving away Nayri’s book and a plan Chicly planner on Instagram.

Olympia Megrikyan is a mom to two daughters. Her oldest daughter was showing signs of delays from an early age and when she was finally diagnosed with Autism it felt like her world was crumbling. Especially with the burden of having to deal with her community, the questions, the rudeness, and the lack of empathy that came with it. It took years of denial, anger, and hurt for her to finally get to a place of acceptance. Her mission is to detach the stigma with mental health and her community. This, is Essie’s Journey! In honor of Olympia’s courage, she will be our guest-host for the entire month of April, Autism Awareness Month, to bring awareness and knowledge to this disorder!

Dr. Edit Alaverdyan talks about expectations, why we have them, how to reevaluate them so we aren’t always disappointed, and how to set realistic expectations with ourselves and loved ones. We also talked about the long-awaited topic of mother-in-laws. How to deal with them, set boundaries, and create realistic expectations. Dr. Edit recently released her incredible book, Memoirs Of A Mother, on Amazon and it is a journal designed specifically for mothers who want to reach self-love, self-acceptance, and connection to self. This journal is a powerful tool that reaches deep into a mother’s heart. Memoirs of a Mother is full of questions and prompt reaching inner self, directed towards childhood and present experiences leading to future goals and gratitudes.

Dr. Ayrapetyan talks about the difference between sadness and depression and how can easily mistake one for the other. She also talks about the difference between anxiety and panic attacks, how to keep them under control, and how to recognize the triggers. She talks about many coping mechanisms that can help reduce these attacks and make them manageable (especially if they’re chronic). We also talked about fear and how to keep it under control by fact-checking and grounding yourself into reality.