Background: After six years of working to pass coverage of autism treatments under health insurance through both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly, the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) decided to take a new approach to the problem: ASNC came together with other North Carolina advocacy groups, professionals, clinicians, and insurers to work…
Tips and Strategies to Address Challenging Behaviors
This article was contributed by Nancy LaCross, ASNC Autism Resource Specialist in the Raleigh area. As a parent of an adult child with autism, I understand firsthand how difficult it can be to support a loved one with significant behavioral challenges. I can remember reaching out to one professional after another looking for the magical…
ABLE Authorization Close to Passing in NC; US Seeks Feedback
This article was contributed by Jennifer Mahan, ASNC Director of Advocacy and Public Policy. The federal government released draft guidelines for ABLE accounts and will be taking comments on the new regulations for the next 90 days. Advocates are concerned that requirements for certifying that spending for allowed expenses with ABLE account funds under the…
Let’s Talk About Abilities
This article was contributed by Juliette Heim, an ASNC Autism Resource Specialist in Asheville and mom to a son with autism. Autism comes with many challenges that we face every single day. We have to address these challenges and learn how to manage them, and we often have to “think outside the box” in our approaches….
Comprehensive Intervention Offered by ASNC’s Clinical Department
What is this intervention? LifeLong Interventions is a new service delivery model that provides comprehensive treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, across skill domains and the lifespan. The service is rooted in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and involves intensive teaching and training using evidence-based practices to promote appropriate skills and behaviors in the…
A Closer Look at the NC House Budget
This article was contributed by Jennifer Mahan, ASNC Director of Advocacy and Public Policy. The NC House passed HB97, its version of the two-year budget, on May 22. The House budget would increase spending by $1.3 billion (6.3 percent) to address funding needs in Medicaid, education, and other services. The bill includes funds for increased…
Interview with an Artist: Kaitlin Moncol
Kaitlin Moncol is a 22-year-old artist from Raleigh who was diagnosed with autism when she turned 2. As Kaitlin prepares for her first independent art show, we asked her and her mom to share some thoughts about her life, her art, and autism. Below we share their responses, edited for brevity. Kaitlin’s art is hanging…
Seeing the World from a Different Angle: A Travel Resource Guide for Parents
This article was contributed by Danielle Wright and Nicole Johnson, who both recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and have accepted jobs in public schools. They created a travel resource guide for families affected by autism and have generously shared it with us. To read…
Autism Moms: We Just Do It!
This article was contributed by Katie Holler, an ASNC Autism Resource Specialist in the Eastern Region. I am the mother of five daughters ages 7 to 13. Four of them have Autism Spectrum Disorder. When people ask me “How do you do it?,” I usually respond: “I just do it!” You might recognize my slogan,…