This article was contributed by Kathleen Dolbee, a parent and ASNC Autism Resource Specialist for Western North Carolina. No two minds are exactly alike; each has its own way of learning. What works well for one person may not work as well for another. For example, some people grasp and remember ideas better when they…
A New Year: Time to Plan
Happy New Year to everyone! Whew! I love the holidays. It’s a time to look back at the past year and gratefully reflect on all the blessings in our lives. When the flurry of activities is over, it’s a wonderful time to slow down and reconnect with friends and family. As the last of the…
“Autism…What Does It Mean to Me?” Brings Understanding
This article was contributed by Jade McWilliams, autistic self-advocate. I first came across “Autism…What Does It Mean to Me?” when I was officially diagnosed with autism, about 4 years ago at the local TEACCH Center. At this time, Catherine Faherty was still working for TEACCH. (I knew I was autistic before that, but being a…
ASNC Clinical Team Going Deeper on Social Skills
This article was contributed by Leica Anzaldo, Training Manager for the Autism Society of North Carolina. Social skills has always been a buzz word in the autism community, but what does this really mean? My colleague and I have recently been tasked with developing a training program that addresses teaching social skills within the…
Fair Doesn’t Have to Mean Equal
This article was contributed by Bobbi Wells, an Autism Resource Specialist and mom to a son with autism. In a world where it seems to be politically correct to treat everyone the same and give everyone the same privileges, we often miss the opportunity to teach our kids (typical and not typical) a very important…
He Has “Mastered” This Skill at Home; Why Doesn’t He Do It Anywhere Else?
Long ago, I worked with a young child who could answer a variety of social questions such as “What’s your name?,” “Where do you live?,” and “What is your mom’s name?,” but he could only answer the questions under certain conditions. When asked the questions at school by others, or when the phrasing of these…
Surviving School in a Nutshell
This article was contributed by Kim Tizzard, Autism Resource Specialist and mom to a son with autism. The beginning of a new school year has somehow snuck up on us. For many, the uncertainty of how our child’s needs will be met can be a source of angst. Like a video loop, the same thoughts…
Adventures in High-Functioning Autism Behind the Wheel
This article was contributed by Nancy Nestor, ASNC Autism Resource Specialist. How do you know what your child is capable of? For the past 13 years, since my son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, my husband and I have asked ourselves that question repeatedly. My son has always been a kid who has taken an…