The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) knows how important it is for individuals with autism to have resources and supports in place to help them navigate employment, from finding a good-fit job to keeping it. Thatâs why our expert employment supports staff provides job skills training, vocational assessments, on-the-job training, and more. A popular…
Autism And The Holidays: Thriving This Holiday Season
The winter months are upon us, and with it comes holiday celebrations with family and friends. If youâre like me, the thought of the holidays makes you cringe because you know it can be such an overwhelming time for your loved ones living with autism. We feel tense about the crowds, the food choices, the…
Understanding Masking: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Perspective
Many autistic people and people with other neurodivergences (e.g., ADHD, Touretteâs) experience pressure to alter their natural ways of being to conform to neurotypical social expectationsâa practice known as masking. Masking emerges from the pressure autistic people often face to modify their natural expressions and behaviors in response to neurotypical social expectations to âfit in.â…
A Letter of Gratitude and Love from the Clinical Team
During this Thanksgiving season, members of the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) clinical team reflected on their gratitude for the individuals and families they serve. Here is what they had to say, in their own words. âWhat a blessing it is to work with these families. It feels like such an honor to be…
Toilet Training for Autistic Children: Potties and Patience
Toilet training for autistic children involves learning many different skills. It is no wonder this phase of development is stressful for many parents and children. If you are a caregiver just getting started with toilet training, you might consider first watching our pre-recorded webinar: âToileting Without Tears.â If you are a caregiver who has already…
Autism and ADHD: Positive Change Doesnât Rely On A Diagnosis
I have struggled with socializing and focus as long as I can remember. Trying to blend in with normative expectations has always felt exhausting to me. I knew I struggled with mental health during middle and high school, but traditional therapy and psychiatry didnât help significantly. It wasnât until college that I had the opportunity…
Halloween: Tricky for Treats
Autism and Halloween: For many, the spooky season is a time of excitement. People eagerly shop for scary costumes, set up spooky sounding animated figures, and devour buckets of candy. Children get excited about all the treats they will get, the festivals, and school celebrations. For an autism family, Halloween can be a very different…
Build Sensory Kits to Provide Comfort After Hurricane
We are grateful for the enormous outpouring of concern for the families we serve who were affected by Hurricane Helene. Many individuals with autism in western North Carolina have been displaced from their homes, schools, or other services. When individuals with autism are in new situations or environments, they can feel uncomfortable, anxious, or frightened….