The pandemic complicated everyone’s social life, but Valentine’s Day was already complicated for many people interested in dating relationships, including self-advocates. Speaking of complicated, has a parent ever taken you on a date with them? What was that like for you? One holiday we went to a restaurant for dinner and trivia night and I…
New Connections for the New Year
It’s a new year, and we are all looking forward to new opportunities. We are setting goals, making plans, and renewing our hopes. If one of your goals is to find a community of support for yourself and your family, we invite you to join your local Autism Society of North Carolina Chapter. These support…
Public Policy Update
Safe Interactions Act and Health-services Emergency Logistics Program (HELP) Act introduced in Congress U.S. Senator Bob Casey has launched an initiative to address racial justice and law enforcement interactions with people with disabilities, including autism. Two bills have been introduced – the Safe Interactions Act and the Human-services Emergency Logistic Program (HELP) Act – which are intended to provide…
Addressing Issues with Virtual Learning and Wearing a Mask
2020 was a trying year for everyone, especially children with special needs and their teachers. As I’ve talked to families, I’ve seen many issues arise that have never been a problem in the past. Most seem to center around two primary topics: virtual learning and mask wearing. Here are some of the more specific issues…
Diagnosing Autism – Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get an official diagnosis of autism for my child or myself? This question is considered by many who have a child with ASD. It is an important question to think through. Other questions naturally follow: What are the benefits of having a diagnosis? What problems may it create? For many the answer is…