Are you looking for a community of support during these challenging times? Do you wish you could ask questions of other parents or share your childās latest victory with people who will get it? Want to help raise autism awareness in your community? Join an Autism Society of North Carolina Chapter! We have more than…
Parent to Parent, Part 2: Practical Considerations for End-of-Life Planning
In part one of this two-part series, we addressed the fact that parents and caregivers for loved ones with disabilities such as autism will need to plan in advance for their eventual death to ensure the appropriate steps are taken for their loved one in their absence. In abstract terms, this process includes envisioning the…
Parent to Parent, Part 1: Addressing the Hardest Questions of All
Often, parents and/or caregivers of individuals with autism are told by friends and family how resilient we are. While others may see the daily struggles we face, they are probably not aware of the anxiety we may have when we think of the inevitable: the time when we will no longer be here to care…
Setting the Record Straight: Medicaid Waivers, Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Transformation
Note: The following is a primer on several issues happening at the same time in our Medicaid system. For background information on Medicaid as a whole, and how Medicaid works in North Carolina, please refer to the āMedicaid Basicsā information at the end of this post, content re-published from our public policy papers available on…
Jessica Romero and Laura Belmar-Ramos Honored with McCrimmon Award
The McCrimmon Award is named for Ed McCrimmon, a longtime member of the Autism Society of North Carolina staff. He was known for his outstanding dedication and integrity as he served individuals with autism. Tragically, he died in 2017. The McCrimmon Award was established to keep Edās memory alive, and at the same time, celebrate…
Beth Strathern Named 2020 Roman Award Winner
During her career as a special education teacher in Pitt County, Beth Strathern helped countless children with autism. But itās her special 20-year relationship with Shala Bell that made Beth the 2020 winner of the John and Claudia Roman Direct Service Award. The annual award honors a direct service employee of the Autism Society of…
Public Policy Update
Legislative Mini Session Wrap Up The North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) returned to Raleigh on Wednesday, September 2 to allocate more than $900 million in federal Coronavirus money in a quick two-day process. Governor Cooper is widely expected to sign the bill; however, his office did note that they are still reviewing the legislation. Legislative…