How often are we given a new medication to ātry outā and then when we attend a follow-up appointment, the doctor says, āHowās that medication working?ā We say something like āUm, it seems to be helping?ā Unfortunately, we parents rarely collect objective behavioral data following medication changes. This is a concern not just for people…
Time to get ready for the time change
Many individuals with autism value routine. It makes them feel secure to know when and why something is happening. So when the time changes each spring and fall, some individuals may feel a loss of control and have a more difficult time adjusting than some people do. They may feel disoriented when it stays light…
When Should Parents Disclose Their Childās Diagnosis?
Once your child has a diagnosis of autism, one of your first questions may be, āSo who do I tell?ā The best rule of thumb: If your child will require a level of accommodation, modification, support, service, or just patience and understanding in a certain situation, then telling someone about the diagnosis can help make…
Prepare Now for Your Best Summer
The weather might be frightful, but summer is just around the corner. And what is even more frightful for a parent is turning the calendar page to June and realizing you are not prepared. Many summer programs and camps (including ASNCās own Camp Royall) are accepting registrations now, and many options for individuals with special…
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) 101
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and autism often go hand in hand. ABA has been endorsed by numerous organizations and federal agencies. There is extensive empirical support for its effectiveness. This means that numerous high-quality, peer-revised published studies have demonstrated that ABA techniques produce significantly positive results. Applied Behavior Analysis has been effectively used for the…
Public Policy: Advocacy in 2019 and Beyond
One of the most difficult aspects of advocacy is looking at all of the barriers that one might face and believing, despite all of it, that change is possible. The Autism Society of North Carolina has from the start been dedicated to using advocacy to improve the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum and…
Why Do I Get Overwhelmed in New Places?
When I go somewhere new, I am not comfortable. I am very guarded. There are a lot of things that could threaten me. I am not aware of this fear. I am not able to respond to you as I can at home. I am not the person you know when I walk into the…