When my son with autism was in elementary school, I remember wanting to get him involved in âprogramsâ and âactivitiesâ but not really knowing what was appropriate or how to proceed. I recall contacting tons of people and agencies and asking for âTHEâ programs and activities specific for a child with autism. Frequently when the…
Calling the Sandman: Autism Sleep Problems
Unfortunately, the Sandman is a mythical character, and sleep problems are very real. Sleep disturbances are a common concern expressed by many parents and caregivers of people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. More than 80% of people with ASD have experienced sleep difficulties in their lifetime. Sleep deprivation can affect many aspects of…
Show Me the Data
Close your eyes and think of a behavior youâd like to see change in some way. It can be something youâd like to see increase or decrease. It can be something that your child, student, partner, friend, or even you do. Have you thought of something yet? Great! Hold on to that for a minute….
Introducing ASNCâs New Wilmington Autism Services Coordinator
We are happy to introduce Julie Bright as the Senior Autism Services Coordinator in the Wilmington region, where we will now provide skilled-support services. Julie comes to us with 15 years of experience in working with people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). While attending UNC Wilmington to attain her BA in education, she provided direct…
Catch Them Being Good: The Power of Praise
As parents and educators, it may seem like we are juggling never-ending to-do lists. When you add managing challenging behaviors to the list, it can quickly become overwhelming. Some days it may feel like all you are doing is telling children ânoâ or repeating instructions over and over. You may begin to ask yourself, âHow…
ASNC Clinical Team Partners with Schools
ASNCâs Clinical Department provides workshops and coaching to school systems, charter schools, and private schools. This year, we have seen lots of great collaborations with school systems to equip their staff to better serve students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). If you are a parent, please pass this information along to your childâs school. Who…
Seek First Responders with CIT Training
If you or a loved one with autism experiences a crisis involving law enforcement, firefighters, or EMTs, what should you know? The first thing that you need to know is to ask for someone who has CIT training. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training is an intensive mental-health training provided to first responders. CIT training is…
Finding My Purpose in Teaching Youth on the Spectrum
As a person with high-functioning autism, I have been blessed with the amazing opportunity to work with youth on the spectrum. I have worked for about 20 years as a teacher, if my volunteer teaching is included. I have worked as a regular education teacher in high schools, as a community college instructor for filmmaking,…
Workplaces Should Offer Autism Trainings and Accommodations
Autism awareness is not prevalent enough in the working world. A high percentage of adults with autism are unable to find work or work enough to support themselves. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, less than 20% of adults with disabilities were working or looking for work in 2014. People with mild forms of…