The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) knows how important it is for individuals with autism to have resources and supports in place to help them navigate employment, from finding a good-fit job to keeping it. That’s why our expert employment supports staff provides job skills training, vocational assessments, on-the-job training, and more. A popular…
Understanding Masking: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Perspective
Many autistic people and people with other neurodivergences (e.g., ADHD, Tourette’s) experience pressure to alter their natural ways of being to conform to neurotypical social expectations—a practice known as masking. Masking emerges from the pressure autistic people often face to modify their natural expressions and behaviors in response to neurotypical social expectations to “fit in.”…
Rachel Barnard Named 2024 Roman Direct Service Award Winner
For her years of service and dedication to the Cohen family and all those she serves, Rachel Barnard is the 2024 winner of the John and Claudia Roman Direct Service Award. This annual award honors a direct service employee of the Autism Society of North Carolina who demonstrates outstanding dedication to individuals with autism and…
Public Policy Update | July 19
Autism Society of North Carolina Public Policy updates: NCGA Short Session Wraps Up Tailored Plans Begin NCGA Wraps Up Regular Short Session NC Legislature wrapped up its up regular short session at the end of June and passed a resolution to reconvene monthly until December 13, 2024, to address any remaining legislative issues including…
ASNC Policy Update
March 2024 Medicaid Rate Increases and Direct Support Professional Wages In the state budget passed in late September, the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated funding to increase the rates paid for certain types of services under North Carolina’s Medicaid programs to increase the pay of individuals providing the critical supports and services to individuals with…
ASNC 2024 Conference | Building the Foundation: Best Practices in Autism
The Building the Foundation Conference hosted by the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) was a big success this year. More than 300 people were in attendance for this annual event held on Friday, March 8, at the McKimmon Conference and Training Center on the North Carolina State University campus in Raleigh. Energy was…
Governor Cooper: LiNC-IT employs neurodiverse professionals reaches milestone of serving 100 North Carolinians
LiNC-IT works with 44 employers to help employees on the autism spectrum succeed at work, recognized as national model. RALEIGH: North Carolina’s employment program for early career autistic professionals, LiNC-IT, has achieved an important milestone, Governor Roy Cooper announced. Since the Governor launched the program in 2018, LiNC-IT has supported 100 individuals with autism spectrum…
Moving to North Carolina as a Spanish Speaker
I moved to North Carolina from Puerto Rico, and people often ask me how I ended up moving here. Falling in love got me here. I met my son’s father in Puerto Rico and it was love at first sight. We dated long distance and then we decided for me to “jump” and move to…
Consejos para mudarse a Carolina del Norte siendo hispanohablante
Me mudé a Carolina del Norte desde Puerto Rico, y con frecuencia la gente me pregunta cómo terminé mudándome aquí. El amor me trajo aquí. Conocí al padre de mi hijo en Puerto Rico y fue amor a primera vista. Mantuvimos una relación a larga distancia y luego decidimos que “diera un salto al vacío”…