This article appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of Spectrum. In my experience as a teacher, students who display challenging behaviors in school act from a place of frustration. They may have low self-esteem and be unable to handle any form of redirection or correction. They may struggle with the learning process and blame themselves…
Elections 2022: Voting in the November Midterms
Voters return to the polls this fall for midterm elections. As a reminder, there are three ways to vote in North Carolina: from home, in person, and in a facility. North Carolina has made it easier to vote from home with updates to the absentee voting laws, but you can also vote in person at…
Public Policy Update: Voting Rights Update
Disability Rights North Carolina sued the state over restrictions on who can help voters with disabilities cast their ballots in elections. Several North Carolina laws limited who can help voters as well as who can request ballots for voters. Those restrictions have been ruled in violation of federal laws. What does this means for you…
Letter to Legislators from the Autism Society of North Carolina
The following letter was sent in May to thank legislators for increased funding for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). The Autism Society of North Carolina will continue to advocate for competitive wages for DSPs in recognition of the work they do improving lives and supporting families. May 18, 2022 To: House and Senate Leadership, Joint…
Public Policy Update – North Carolina General Assembly Update
State Budget Adjustments Act Introduced: The NCGA is in the process this week of passing a brief budget adjustments act, HB 103. A reminder that the state passed a two-year budget for fiscal years July 2021-June 2023 last November which included additional waiver slots, increases to wages for direct support professionals, and an increase in…
Public Policy Updates – May 2022
Services in NC Medicaid Plan NC plans to offer additional services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as others, under (i) services plan through the Medicaid program. When Tailored Plans begin operation December 1, 2022 as part of the state’s Medicaid Transformation some of the services that LME-MCOs offered under b(3) such…
The Impact of Nutrition on Physical and Mental Health
Note: This blog was written by Juliette Heim, Autism Resource Specialist, and Kristy Myers, Health Consultant at the Autism Society of North Carolina. Juliette Heim’s reflections on her experience as a parent to a son with autism are in italics. Health is broadly defined as “a state of physical, mental and social well-being, in…
Win-win: Brother wins contest, builds autism acceptance
Colin Maxwell has always had a way of talking to his sister, who has autism. “Because Kayleigh is 18, and he’s 11, he doesn’t know anything else but having a sister who has autism. He does amazing with her,” says Stephanie Maxwell, their mother. “She responds so well.” Colin always has patience and gives Kayleigh…