Spectrum Perspectives

Melissa Dilmaghani Full-Autism, PANS & OCD

Melissa shares her experience as a parent of two neurodivergent children, including her 10-year-old son who was diagnosed with PANS PANDAS following multiple infections including strep throat, Lyme disease, and pneumonia. She explained the challenges of distinguishing between PANS PANDAS symptoms and autism or ADHD, describing how her son's behavior suddenly changed with intense anxiety, throat-clearing sensations, and school avoidance. Melissa discussed treatment approaches including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and the importance of finding the right educational environment, noting that her son now attends a flexible democratic school program that works with his special needs. The conversation also covered the connection between neurodivergence and PANS PANDAS, with Melissa emphasizing that many families struggle to get proper diagnosis and treatment, often facing skepticism from traditional medical providers.

Melissa Dilmaghani Trailer-Autism, PANS & OCD

Melissa has 2 neurodivergent sons, and one also has PANS, which sent her on a quest to learn all about PANS/PANDAS. Listen to the full episode to learn more.

Lori Rogers- Shifting Mindsets with Positive Activity

Lori went down the non-conventional path seeking out Biomedical intervention for her son Craig to help him after he was diagnosed with Autism. After he turned 21 she and her husband helped to create a program called Life Opportunities at Nashua Community College which provides a supported environment for adults with Disabiities. Then one day she read the book "Underestimated" by JB Handley and his son Jamie. She says Jamie was so much like her son Craig, being treated like a 2 year old, even though he could do calculus. So she found a practitioner and took him for a Spelling session. During the session she read him a lesson and had him poke a letterboard to answer questions with known answers. Then she asked a question that was not in the story and Craig knew the answer. "How did he know that?" Lori asked. It turned out Craig knew a lot more than he had ever been given credit for! Cindy and Lori also discuss telepathy and The Hill and Lori's business as a mindset coach. Her business is called "Positive Activity". She can be reached at Lori@positiveactivity.net

Lori Rogers Trailer- Shifting Mindsets with Positive Activity

Lori went down what she refers to as the "Outside the Box" path to help her son Craig who was diagnosed with autism, and sought out Biomedical Intervention. The Biomed Doctor asked if she had read "Underestimated" yet, but the book had been sitting on her shelf. So she read the book and says that Jamie Handley from the book was just like her son. So she took him to see a Spelling practitioner and he spelled to communicate. The practitioner read a story, then asked a question about something that was not in the story. Lori was shocked when Craig knew the answer. That's when she began to realize how much he really knew. Listen to the full episode to hear more.

Jen Overfield-Creates 4 successful programs and advocacy in NJ

Jen has worked within the system in New Jersey in group homes, day programs and as a Support Coordinator. That's when she found out how bad the system is and decided to do something about it. She started a Evermore Lifestyle Solutions, a program for adults with Special Needs which has expanded to 4 locations. She also created Golden Heart Advocacy to help families navigate the system. She can be reached via these websites: https://evermorelifestylesolutions.com/ [https://evermorelifestylesolutions.com/] https://www.goldenheartadvocacy.com/ [https://www.goldenheartadvocacy.com/]