ASNC continues its series of articles on elections and voting in North Carolina. ASNC encourages you to understand when and how you can exercise your right to vote. The North Carolina Primary election will be held on March 3. Primaries determine which candidates will run from various parties in the general election, for both state…
Elections 2020: Get Ready to Vote
This year, much attention will be paid to state primaries, state legislative races, and the national presidential election. As a nonprofit organization, ASNC does not become directly involved in elections or campaigns, but we do want you to understand your right to vote, how to vote, and where to get accurate and up-to-date information. ASNC…
Be Your Very Amazing Self Always
D.J. Svoboda is an autistic artist and motivational speaker who spreads a message of hope that those with autism are special just the way they are. He created The Imagifriends of Imagiville based on experiences he faced as he grew up with autism. We asked D.J. to share some of his wisdom in honor of…
Action Alert: Ask Senators to Support CARES Act
Editor’s Update: Thank you for your advocacy supporting the Autism CARES Act. Our NC Senators, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, have both signed on to the reauthorization bill, and we are hopeful that the CARES Act will be reauthorized before Sept. 30. The Autism CARES Act will sunset (expire) on September 30 if it is…
Jen Pyne Named 2019 Roman Award Winner
Jen Pyne is not just a service provider to the people with autism whom she supports. She is a true friend and a member of their family. “She has helped me to create a life on my own terms that I am proud of,” said Jade McWilliams, one of her clients. “I have a very…
Giving Back for Camp Royall
Each summer at Camp Royall, Tommy Guthrie Johnson is all grins and giggles as he enjoys swimming, hiking, digging in the garden, and singing camp songs, silly motions and all. Tommy, who is 14, is “complex,” said his mother, Megan Johnson. “He’s so challenging but so funny and smart and cuddly and loveable.” Megan adopted…
I Really Am Listening to You!
I really am listening to you! My eyes are looking elsewhere. I’m playing with something. I’m rocking. Humming. Giving an unpleasant facial expression. Fill in the blank! “Normal” people look right at you and respond. Sorry! I can’t! But I can listen! I AM listening! You are very important to me. Your thoughts are interesting….
Shutting Down Like an Overloaded Computer
Why does your computer suddenly choke on you? Are 1,000 windows open? Is YouTube playing while Facebook is showing cat videos? Is a browser doing some sneaky scans on the hard drive? It’s all eating the data and memory. Too many tasks at once! Computer crash! Well, imagine an autistic brain working like that. Give…
A Passion for Music and Improving Lives
The Jordan family of Elizabeth City took one of their passions, music, to raise money for another: improving the lives of people with autism. Their second annual NC Rock Autism Music Festival in summer 2018 raised more than $20,000! This year, they’ll hold the third annual festival on August 3. Learn more about the musical…