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vanhook@azacttoday.org
Melissa Van Hook is the mother of two boys with autism, and is an active advocate for families affected by autism spectrum disorder. Born in Flagstaff, Arizona, she attended Arizona State University and graduated with a B.S. in Psychology in 1991. After graduation, Melissa worked at the Center for Sexual Abuse (C.A.S.A.) teaching a pilot program for violence prevention to elementary school students. She also volunteered as a Crisis Interventionist for the Mesa Police Department Victim Assistance Program.
Six years after her first son was diagnosed with autism, Melissa co-founded an autism parent support group, now known as EVAN (East Valley Autism Network), and co-facilitates the group with two other parents. After her second son was also diagnosed with autism, she became even more active with EVAN and the autism community. EVAN is a local affiliate of ASA-GPC (Autism Society of America-Greater Phoenix Chapter), and works with ASA-GPC to co-sponsor autism conferences and help promote the annual Zoowalk for Autism Research. Melissa worked closely with other Arizona parents to help pass Steven’s Law, one of the most comprehensive autism treatment health insurance laws in the United States. She received The Autism Service Award from the Autism Society of America-Greater Phoenix Chapter for her work on Steven’s Law. Melissa is also an active member of the Arizona Autism Coalition.
Melissa currently resides in Gilbert with her husband of 15 years, Eric, and their two boys.
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