Unfortunately, the Sandman is a mythical character, and sleep problems are very real. Sleep disturbances are a common concern expressed by many parents and caregivers of people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. More than 80% of people with ASD have experienced sleep difficulties in their lifetime. Sleep deprivation can affect many aspects of…
Catch Them Being Good: The Power of Praise
As parents and educators, it may seem like we are juggling never-ending to-do lists. When you add managing challenging behaviors to the list, it can quickly become overwhelming. Some days it may feel like all you are doing is telling children ānoā or repeating instructions over and over. You may begin to ask yourself, āHow…
Focus on Healthy Habits at 2018 Annual Conference
The Autism Society of North Carolina held its 2018 annual conference March 23-24 in Charlotte. We will be sharing information from conference presentations in upcoming blog posts. Mindy Govan and Alicia DiDomizio, the Director and Assistant Director of ASNCās IGNITE program for young adults on the spectrum, provided conference attendees with many tips they could…
Why is This Behavior Occurring?
Everyone has walked into a grocery store and seen a child crying while reaching for a candy bar in the checkout lane. Perhaps youāve experienced a toddler cry and scream when you walk out of the room, only to hear her stop as soon as you walk back inside. If youāre a parent, you may…
New Year, New Schedules, New Opportunities
For those who have autism, the holidays can be a very overwhelming time of year. Excitement shifts into high gear. They must deal with lights and decorations, busy stores, extra traveling, family gatherings, and more people everywhere they go. Not to mention, if they are school-age, the routines they thrive on are interrupted by holiday…
Transitioning to Competent Adulthood with Dr. Peter Gerhardt
Dr. Peter Gerhardt, who has worked in the autism field for 37 years, shared some of his expertise with parents and professionals last week at a one-day conference in Raleigh. His presentation was titled āTransitioning to Competent Adulthood for Individuals with Autism: Implications from Preschool to High School and Beyond.ā Dr. Gerhardt is the Executive…
Building Communication-Rich Environments: Practical Strategies for Success
Throughout your daily life, consider how frequently you communicate your wants and needs and the various tools you use to do so. Now imagine that you lost your communication abilities. Conveying even the most simplistic messages about your thoughts, feelings, and basic needs would suddenly be much more difficult. Many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder…