At the heart of Hopeful Hearts is Dee Tagapan—a certified ABA and Early Childhood SPED Specialist, a systems builder with 15+ years of entrepreneurial experience, and above all, a mother who knows and who has lived the very journey not just professionally, but personally.

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When Dee’s fourth child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 2) and Sensory Processing Disorder, her world shifted. Suddenly, the milestones she once celebrated became question marks. The days were filled with worry, confusion, and a flood of information that often felt more overwhelming than helpful —emotions any parent in that situation would recognize.

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But instead of staying in survival mode, Dee chose to fight forward.  Fueled by love and the urgency to understand her son, she leaned into learning—immersing herself in every training, course, and resource she could find.  Not for a title, but for Keane, her son. Whatever it took to better support him, she was willing to do. Her search for answers became a mission, and that mission became her purpose.

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She pursued certifications in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Special Education for Early Childhood (ECEC), and is currently completing her specialization in Oral Placement Therapy. She’s also preparing for the Psychometrician Board Exam in September 2025, driven by a mission to bring clarity and credible support to families like hers.

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Along this path, Dee uncovered a powerful truth:
Early intervention works—when it’s timely, tailored, and parent-empowered.

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It was during this process that she realized:

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✅ Awareness is the first step—knowing the signs, understanding your child's unique pace, and not brushing it off as “just a phase.”

✅ Every child’s path is unique & Understanding your child’s developmental stages is essential—every milestone missed is not just a delay, but a cue and recognizing their pace can help prevent long-term delays.

✅ Blending proven approaches—like ABA, SPED strategies, and sensory integration—yields far better outcomes than relying on a single method.

✅ Empowered parents make the biggest difference—not just professionals. Parents when equipped and empowered, they become the most consistent and impactful intervention force in a child’s life.

✅ Hope is not wishful thinking—it’s structured action. When paired with the right tools , with the right approach, Hope becomes a strategy , a plan - not just a prayer.
 

That insight became the foundation and the beating heart of Hopeful Hearts—not just a platform, but a purpose. A safe, practical, and empowering space for parents who need more than information—they need a plan, a partner, and a path forward.

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As the Executive VP & Chief of Staff at VA+ and Director of Virtual Services at LivXplore, Dee brings with her a legacy of leadership, system-building, and operational excellence. She has scaled startups, trained and mentored over 100 Virtual Assistants, and built processes from the ground up for more than 80 clients across industries. But for all the milestones she’s achieved in business, nothing compares to the purpose she discovered in helping families unlock their child’s potential.

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For Dee, this isn’t just a profession—it’s a mission rooted in lived experience, fueled by love, and guided by the belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive.

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Dee’s Vision

“I created Hopeful Hearts to be the space I wish existed when I was searching for answers—genuine, actionable, and grounded in both science and empathy. No fluff. Just real help for real families.”

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Through Hopeful Hearts, Dee is not just building programs— She’s building a movement.

A movement that reminds parents:
You are not alone. You are not too late. And you already have what it takes— you just need the right support to bring it to life.