A Look Back When my son Logan was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4, he was preverbal and was not able to pronounce most of his sounds. He could say āba,ā and a year later was able to say āma.ā It took years for him to master making all of the sounds necessary…
How to Advocate for Yourself
The feeling of being in control of oneās own life is one of the most basic yet most important forms of self-worth we have as people and an essential part of happiness. However, it is one of the most difficult aspects of being on the spectrum. The transition to adulthood is a fraught time for…
Early Voting Open in NC
As a reminder, ASNC is sharing information about voting in North Carolina during this election year through blog articles, social media posts, and other channels. Much attention will be paid this year to state primaries, state legislative races, and the national presidential election. As a nonprofit organization, ASNC does not become directly involved in elections…
Promoting a Childās Independence Within Daily Routines
One of the greatest joys of teaching students with autism is watching them become more confident in their abilities and take pride in their accomplishments. As they learn salient skills for completing daily routines and develop a greater sense of responsibility, students naturally become more self-determined and desire greater autonomy. Given systematic training, coaching, and…
Compliments and Criticisms: Supporting an Adult with ASD
One day, not so many years ago, my son shared with his therapist that when he hears me call his name or sees my name on his caller ID on his phone, he immediately gets nervous. He wonders what he did wrong and how angry I will be. While that was hard to hear as…
CADCO Construction Improves Lives with Annual Golf Tournament
In two years, the families that own and operate CADCO Construction Company have raised an astounding $37,800 through golf tournaments to improve the lives of individuals with autism and support their families. Ashley and Cortney Duncan, president of CADCO, have triplets, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. Cortneyās stepbrother, Josh Hines, is the…
Register to Vote by February 7 for March Primary
ASNC continues its series of articles on elections and voting in North Carolina. ASNC encourages you to understand when and how you can exercise your right to vote. The North Carolina Primary election will be held on March 3. Primaries determine which candidates will run from various parties in the general election, for both state…
Helping Your Loved One Get Active
Physical activity can be challenging for individuals with autism because many struggle with motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and balance. And letās face it ā like many of us ā they often lack motivation to exercise. They may not recognize the value of activity or see its connection to how they feel. According to the CDC,…
Promoting Independence with Supported Decision-Making
Many 17-year-olds cannot wait for the day they will be on their own and can do whatever they want! Even as people warn that being an adult has challenges, they believe they will figure it out. When my neurotypical, oldest daughter reached adulthood, I was able to relate to this frame of mind. After much…