Meet Tamar Matossian | Neurodevelopmental Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamar Matossian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamar, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am of Armenian descent and was born in Saudi Arabia. My parents are from Lebanon and Jordan where their parents fled during the Armenian Genocide back in 1915. I came to the United States at the age of one, and am the oldest of 3 kids. I was the first person in my family to attend college, so filling out applications, writing essays, and applying for financial aid was all new territory for all of us. Coming from an old school Armenian family into the U.S was a big transition, learning the culture while preserving our own was a fine line. My parents were insistent on me learning how to speak, read, and write Armenian, I was enrolled in a private Armenian-Christian School in Southern California. When I got to a public high school, it was a big culture shock, but I was able to quickly pick up on the social norms and get into the groove of things. I began working odd jobs starting at the age of 15 and was hooked on being independent. I began to realize that the jobs I had revolving around kids seemed to make the time go by the fastest because of all the fun I was having. When it was time to choose a career path, I decided that it had to be with kids. In our culture, everyone takes care of each other, whether you are family or not. I was always put in charge of taking care of my brother, the youngest of us three, who had some significant medical challenges during his childhood. While taking care of him and being attuned to his needs, I realized now that I was inadvertently getting trained for what my career would be in the future, working with neurodiverse children, teens and young adults.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m a Neurodevelopmental Specialist, I specialize in DIR Floortime therapy, which is a play-based type of therapy and we meet the child where they are at, and expand from there while taking into account their individual. differences. I also run The Social Club, where groups of kids come together for social learning. I love my job, it’s a lot of fun and every day is a completely different adventure. I work with kids who are sometimes on the Autism spectrum, may have Down Syndrome, or just need some extra support. I wrote a book called “What’s Autism” when I noticed a need, while working in the school setting, of what kids thought of their peer who was on the Autism spectrum. Besides working with kids, I love training staff members on how to approach kids with behaviors and/or diagnoses. I went through a lot of difficult cases while working in this field, but each one taught me something new. It’s true as the saying goes, “there’s a lesson in everything”, which is why I tell people, if you’re unhappy where you are at right now in your life, make the most of it, because in the future you will see the purpose that it served for you. Working many odd jobs while growing up set the stage for where I am at today in my career. I didn’t see why everything had to happen the way it did until now as I look back. Each job, each encounter, each friend I had at different times in my life, are all supporting me where I am at now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Los Angeles, which I think is the most fun place ever! When I want to have fun, I grab a friend and head over to the West side. I love grabbing a matcha latte and walking around the fancy shops on Robertson in Beverly Hills. The beach is only a few minutes from there, I love Manhattan Beach and The Kettle restaurant there, so relaxing hearing the ocean waves. In the evening, we would head over to West Hollywood, there’s always a new and happening restaurant where we can get dressed up, have dinner and maybe some dancing afterwards.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people that deserve a shout out on my journey! I’m a religious person, therefore, I do have to give God a major thank you first for keeping me on track and for guiding me. My family comes next, parents and siblings for providing my roots to support growth. My husband and three daughters, who continue to push me to do better and believe in my talents. Friends and colleagues have provided me with continuous support whether it’s business advice, emotional support or teaching me new things, they’re always a call/text away. A book that I found to light a fire in me is Dr. Wayne Dyer’s Power of Intention, this book put into perspective my “why” when it comes to any decision making, and to always operate from a place of love.

Website: www.TamarMatossian.com

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Linkedin: tamar-matossian

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