Season 5 Episode #14 Autism is Scripting Life in PENCIL for Michael Pereira!

Send us Fan MailC4 Leaders – the ONLY nonprofit to utilize the pizza making process to create space for our companions to be seen, heard, and loved.   We also write children’s books and use the most amazing handmade, hand-tossed, sourdough pizza to bring out the best in each other.   Please check out PIZZADAYS.ORG to support our important work. Season 5 Episode #14 Michael Pereira is coming from Miami, Florida (inform, inspire, & transform)You can find Michael via his website theautismvoyage.comAbout our guest: After a successful career in Corporate America and after suffering through and surviving a personal encounter with COVID, Michael knew life had something different instore for him.   But he still couldn’t put his finger on it.  Then, in 2022, Michael’s son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and from then on, Michael began to look at life through a different lens.That pivotal experience shifted Michael’s priorities from corporate achievements to creating a secure future for his family, sparking the inception of The Autism Voyage®.  Michael decided to embark on a mission to share specialized knowledge of financial planning and support for special needs families.  Driven by his firsthand understanding of planning for the future - financially, Michael is all in on using his talents to aid families and their unique challenges with raising and caring for a special needs child. Michael, thanks for sharing your many talents, for being an advocate for autism, for providing valuable resources to help families with special needs children, and for being our guest on Life’s Essential Ingredients – welcome to the show!TOTD – “All advocacy is, at its core, an exercise in empathy.”  Samantha PowerBuild a habit - to create intention - to live your purpose! In this episode:What was life like growing up?What are your life’s essential ingredients?I know you have traveled throughout your career… what do you love about traveling…What life lessons did you take away from your travels/life experiences…How has having a child with special needs affected your family and friends?Has it been difficult balancing your time, care, love, energy with your daughter who is not a special needs child.Asperger’s Syndrome – insights into indicators?Aphantasia and Autism and distinct ways they intersectGroup Homes for special needs adults…Planning for a special needs futureSpecial Needs siblingsThe financial side of raising a child with special needs..Food texture sensitivity… tips to help?Challenges and balance of raising a special needs family…Books or other resources you recommend?Best resources you have found for your family?The Autism Voyage…blog, website with resources for families of special needs children…Long Term Care…Legacy