The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) are excited to announce SPARK, a new genetics research project aimed at learning more about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We invite the North Carolina autism community to join the UNC SPARK cohort to move autism research forward. SPARK’s mission…
WNC Run/Walk for Autism Inspires Pride
Jesse Trimbach is 28 and lives in his own apartment in Asheville. He uses public transportation to get to the Habitat for Humanity office, where he volunteers doing data entry. He takes pride in making his own meals and in being independent. Jesse was diagnosed with autism at 2½ years old. He was in…
Putting the “Fun” in Fundraiser
It’s the middle of summer, and you have a bit of breathing room before the crazy round of activities cranks up again. Why not have a little fun and raise some money for people with autism and their loved ones at the same time? We’ve got some ideas to get you started: People…
College Options for Students with ASD
This article was contributed by Nancy Nestor, an Autism Resource Specialist in the Charlotte region, an autism mom, and a former teacher. This is the time of year when many high school students and their families are thinking about the next steps in their lives – touring colleges, taking the SAT or ACT, and starting…
Big Sister Takes Lessons to Heart
Sydney Ramey has learned many things from her younger brother, Charlie, like how to be patient and responsible. Sydney is 17 and Charlie, who has autism, is 14. Sydney says she also has learned from Charlie that “sometimes it’s best just to throw away your cares and laugh till it hurts.” That’s not all…
Thank You, from One Mom to Another
Sherri Krewson Garner, Leader of the ASNC Crystal Coast Chapter, shared this post about her gratitude for another mom and leader. I want to express my deepest gratitude to another chapter leader! In 2000, after going through a divorce, I moved from Lincoln County to the coast of North Carolina to be near my…
Jewels for the Journey
This article was contributed by Gwen Capers-Singleton, an ASNC Autism Resource Specialist in Charlotte and mom to a son with autism. Now that school is almost out and the weather ideal, I have started training for another marathon. As a mother of three, including an adult son with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), running is…
Help Shape Crisis Services for Children
North Carolina will soon expand START crisis services to children and youth with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism. Many of these children with complex mental health or behavioral needs have not been served by current crisis services due to a lack of space, and are held in emergency rooms or transferred to…
Speak Out on NC Budget Proposals
This article was contributed by Jennifer Mahan, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at ASNC. On June 1, the NC Senate released its version of the budget adjustments bill for this year. Despite advocacy directed at the Senate to improve on what the NC House budget offered, the Senate includes no funding for federally required…