Since I wrote my last blog, What’s Speech Got to Do With It?, in 2019, my son, along with the rest of the world, went through a rollercoaster cycle of emotions due to the pandemic, ranging from fear, insecurity, isolation, and utter frustration. His volunteer activities as well as other outside activities came to a…
Mental Health in the Autism Community
Mental health disorders are conditions that affect our thinking, mood, and/or behavior to the extent that it interferes with our ability to function. These disorders include, but are not limited to, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. For the general population in the United States, the CDC estimates 20% of adults (or one…
Becca Martin, Kaitlin Warren, and Angela Wideman Honored with McCrimmon Award
The McCrimmon Award is named for Ed McCrimmon, a longtime member of the Autism Society of North Carolina staff. He was known for his outstanding dedication and integrity as he served individuals with autism. Tragically, he died in 2017. The McCrimmon Award was established to keep Ed’s memory alive, and at the same time, celebrate…
MeKayla Sheene Named 2022 Roman Award Winner
Direct support professionals often become honorary members of the families they work with because of their presence during highs and lows, good times and bad. MeKayla Sheene began working with Casey Drakeford in May 2022, less than two weeks before his mother’s death. For consistently going above and beyond during this difficult time in Casey’s…
“Are Chicken Nuggets a Vegetable?” and Other Mealtime Musings: Selective Eating in Autism
One of the first jobs of parenting is to keep your child healthy and nourished by ensuring they eat a variety of nutritious foods, alongside the extra treats and occasional Happy Meal that accompanies childhood. Before having children, many of us felt like this would be the easy part. Three meals a day, snacks sprinkled…
Ten Handy Tips to Toilet Training (Without Tears!)
Toilet training can be challenging for many caregivers and professionals, but it should never be stressful or upsetting for the child. Some children are ready to toilet train around the same time as their peers, and others are not. For some children with autism, the process will be fairly quick – they will just “get…
Public Policy Update: Rate Increase to Support Wages for Direct Support Workers A First Step in Right Direction
The state budget that passed in December 2021 included funding towards increasing Medicaid home and community-based provider rates so that wages paid to direct support professionals/direct support workers can be increased. While the budget special provision language states that 15.00 per hour is the goal, there is not enough money appropriated in the budget to…