This article was contributed by Kari Johnston, ASNC Director of Services. Each fall, the Autism Society of North Carolina has the privilege of celebrating the amazing work that our Direct Support Professionals do every day, providing crucial support and opportunities for individuals with autism. We do this in a few ways. During our celebration of…
Q&A with Dr. Jed Baker, Autism Expert
On Friday, November 4, Dr. Jed Baker will lead a daylong conference that touches on two very important topics for families and caregivers: managing frustration and anxiety and teaching social skills. Dr. Baker graciously shared some insights and previewed his talk in a Q&A recently. Why is it important for caregivers to think…
Kids Loved and Accepted as They Are at New Camps
Six-year-old Marshall Wingfield loves people, but he becomes overwhelmed in public and has always been a bit of a homebody, his mom says. āHe wants so much to fit in and have friends,ā said Elaina Wingfield of her son, who was diagnosed with autism last year during his kindergarten year. āBut his challenges make…
2016 Legislative Wrap-Up: Other Highlights
This article was contributed by Jennifer Mahan, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at ASNC. It is the third of three parts wrapping up the NC General Assemblyās 2016 short session. IDD Caucus: Establishment of a bipartisan, bicameral IDD caucus: North Carolina is the fourth state in the United States to have an officially established…
2016 Legislative Wrap-Up: The Budget
This article was contributed by Jennifer Mahan, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at ASNC. It is the first of three parts wrapping up the NC General Assemblyās 2016 short session. The NCĀ House and Senate agreed on a budget adjustments bill for the second year of the stateās two-year budget, which allocates a total of…
Help Shape Crisis Services for Children
North Carolina will soon expand START crisis services to children and youth with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism. Many of these children with complex mental health or behavioral needs have not been served by current crisis services due to a lack of space, and are held in emergency rooms or transferred to…
Speak Out on NC Budget Proposals
This article was contributed by Jennifer Mahan, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at ASNC. On June 1, the NC Senate released its version of the budget adjustments bill for this year. Despite advocacy directed at the Senate to improve on what the NC House budget offered, the Senate includes no funding for federally required…
AmeriCarna LIVE Volunteer Uses Passion to Give Back
The Autism Society of North Carolina relies on volunteers to help carry out our mission. In honor of Volunteer Week, we share a story about one valued volunteer. When Larry Grossflam moved to North Carolina from New York in the fall of 2014, he began looking for volunteer opportunities. Through his employer, United Health Group,…
Have Your Say on Medicaid Reform in NC
North Carolina is undertaking plans to move forward with Medicaid Reform in our state. Last session, the legislature directed the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to come up with a plan that provides quality care and controls costs for the future. DHHS has created a draft plan outline for the next several years…