Fall is a great time to join one of the Autism Society of North Carolinaās 50 Chapters and Support Groups around the state. The beginning of the new school year also marks the restart of the groupsā activities and events. ASNCās Chapters and Support Groups are led by generous parents or family member volunteers who…
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…
Succeeding with a Dedicated, Caring CSI
We are republishing this article from the winter 2016 Spectrum in honor ofĀ National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week.Ā Alex Bagley has won many Special Olympics medals over the years at the county, state, and national levels. The 23-year-old from Fayetteville competes in 5-on-5 basketball, cycling, and aquatics. Alex, who has autism, is a hard worker…
Camp Royall: Better than the Beach
This article was written for the 2016 Camp Chronicle, which will be posted online later this month and mailed to campers and their families. To learn more about ASNCās Camp Royall, go to www.camproyall.org. For Scott Lambeth, a day at Camp Royall is better than a day at the beach. Scott, who is 40 years…
Recognize Your ASNC Direct Support Professional
Direct Support Professional: a formal name that doesnāt evoke the dedication and love that our hundreds of staff members show every day. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) carry many more titles; they are Community Skills Instructors, Employment Supports Instructors, General Instructors, Residential Instructors, Camp Counselors, and more. But even these names do not tell the true…
Promoting Healthy Eating
āWhen heās hungry enough, heāll eat.ā How often have we heard this from well-meaning family, friends, and medical providers? While most young children exhibit food preferences and some food selectivity, other children display persistent and highly restrictive eating patterns. Almost 70% of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder exhibit selective and restrictive eating patterns. Some childrenās…
Gavinās Gang Walks for Resources and Awareness
Gavin Beale didnāt say his first word and screamed in frustration until after his third birthday. From the time he was about 10 months old, his parents, Jenny and Jason Beale of Greensboro, were very concerned about him. āIt was a very dark time because we didnāt know what was going on with him,ā…
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…