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Getting the Most out of the Holiday Season

Archive for 2012

Getting the Most out of the Holiday Season

by Linda Griffin, Parent Advocate Director The holiday season is upon us – a time of joy and excitement.  But for parents of children with autism, it may only bring excitement (also known as chaos)……and very little joy. Sometimes this lack of joy is simply because we have unrealistic expectations. We’ve seen too many idyllic…

Action Needed: Personal Care Medicaid Changes Threaten Group Home Residents

Recent news reports have shed light on changes that will have a negative effect on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other disabilities who receive assistance through Medicaid’s Personal Care Services (PCS). Please note that the Personal Care Services described in this blog are not the same personal care services delivered to individuals who are…

Stuffed Allies and Dignity: How Understanding Anxiety Can Save the Day

Editor’s Note: This week’s blog post was submitted by Jennifer O’Toole, award-winning author of Asperkids: An Insider’s Guide to Loving, Understanding and Teaching Children with Asperger Syndrome. O’Toole, her husband, and her three children all have Asperger Syndrome. The year was 1982.  Ronald Reagan was in office. “Don’t You Want Me, Baby?” was on the…

Corporal Punishment in NC Schools – Progress Report

The following article was written by Linda Griffin, Parent Advocate Director for the Autism Society of North Carolina. In July 2011 we posted a blog article about the shocking use of corporal punishment in NC public schools. At that time we reported that 38 NC school districts allowed corporal punishment and 16 of those schools…

No Fishing Allowed: Reel in Bullying

Editor’s Note: This week’s blog post was submitted by Dawn Eberwein, Autism Society of North Carolina Bookstore Manager. When we think of bullying, we often think of children in school, but bullying is everywhere.   Bullies ridicule and harass their targets, and they can be physically abusive. Students with autism are particularly at risk of being…

Choice: A Building Block of Self-Determination

Self-determination is often described as the combination of skills and knowledge that enables a person to engage in goal-directed, autonomous, and self-regulated behavior. Self-determined individuals have the power to exert control over their own lives in order to achieve the outcomes that they desire. Self-determined individuals make things happen in their lives, and they recognize…

Why I Run and Walk for Autism

Beverly Moore is Chair of the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC). This guest Blog includes her comments to the participants at the recent WNC Run/Walk for Autism where she shares why it is important for parents, family members, friends, and the community to support the annual ASNC Run/Walk for…

Staying Two Steps Ahead: Safety in the Community and at Home

Parents worry about their children’s health, happiness, and well-being, but parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) must look at their environment closely and take great care to ensure that their kids are safe both inside and outside the home. Why is safety for the person with ASD different from any other safety measures…

Medicaid Waiver (CAP IDD) Changes Take Effect Soon – What you need to know

Editor’s Note – The following update was compiled and vetted by Autism Society of North Carolina Senior Director of Quality and Programs Kerri Erb and Director of Governmental Relations Jennifer Mahan. Both these ASNC staff have been following changes to Medicaid Waiver services for quite some time. Last year, the State of North Carolina submitted…