Parents worry about their children’s health, happiness, and well-being, but parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) must look at their environment closely and take great care to ensure that their kids are safe both inside and outside the home. Why is safety for the person with ASD different from any other safety measures…
Medicaid Waiver (CAP IDD) Changes Take Effect Soon – What you need to know
Editor’s Note – The following update was compiled and vetted by Autism Society of North Carolina Senior Director of Quality and Programs Kerri Erb and Director of Governmental Relations Jennifer Mahan. Both these ASNC staff have been following changes to Medicaid Waiver services for quite some time. Last year, the State of North Carolina submitted…
Structure – an Important Teaching Tool
Editor’s Note – This article was written by Amy Hobbs, Training Coordinator for the Autism Society of North Carolina. To read Amy’s bio click here. It was Sunday and a new group of campers had arrived in the afternoon. I was called to the old dining hall to assist a counselor who was having trouble…
Honoring Direct Support Professionals
Editor’s Note – Last week was Direct Support Professional Recognition Week in North Carolina. The Autism Society of North Carolina employs hundreds of Direct Support personnel and without their dedication and continued efforts many individuals on the autism spectrum and their families would not have needed support services. The following article was provided by Kerri…
Communication is Key!
Editor’s Note – The following post was written by Autism Society of North Carolina Parent Advocate/Trainer Juliette Heim. For some of our children, the beginning of the school year has already begun, and for others, school is just around the corner. There is often uncertainty, anxiety, and the fear of the unknown that accompanies this…
Preparing to Go Back to School
Editor’s note- This article was written by Leica Anzaldo, MPA, BSW, Training Manager for the Autism Society of North Carolina. Leica can be reached at lanzaldo@autismsociety-nc.org. For those of us with children on a traditional school schedule, the first day of school is just around the corner. While we may be ready (or not), it…
More North Carolina Budget Woes
At the end of the legislative session, state budget writers went from debating a zero to 10 million dollar cut, to taking a 20 million dollar cut out of state funded services for people with developmental disabilities, mental illness and addictive disease. While it is the same cut as last year, it has much greater impact….
A Parent’s Perspective – By Kathleen Dolbee
Editor’s Note – This article is from Kathleen Dolbee, a parent, educator, and ASNC Parent Advocate/Trainer. Kathleen can be reached by email at kdolbee@autismsociety-nc.org. Last year I attended a conference at Western Carolina University, a small conference, more like a class. At the request of the professors presenting, before beginning we took turns introducing ourselves…
What happened at the Legislature this session? ASNC Budget Wrap Up Report
Editor’s Note – The following article was written by Jennifer Mahan, the Autism Society of North Carolina’s Director of Government Relations. During the General Assembly “short” legislative session that lasted from May 16 to July 3rd, state legislators made small changes to the second year of the two-year state budget they put into place last…