AutismSocietyNC · Blog | Looking Through the Right Lens – 04/17/2024 Recently, I provided autism-informed support and coaching services in a public school, where I visited a first-grade classroom. I watched as a little girl asked for help in tearing her perforated page out of her workbook. A peer offered to help, and she…
Shattering Stereotypes: Intersection of Autism and Black Excellence
Dictionary.com defines the term “Black excellence” as “a high level of achievement, success, or ability demonstrated by an individual Black person or Black people in general. The term is often used to highlight and celebrate specific examples of such achievements and abilities, especially as the hashtag #BlackExcellence.” Many African American family systems value Black excellence…
The Barbershop: Supporting the Black Autism Community
Highlighting Community Leaders Supporting the Black Autism Community Barbershops and beauty salons hold a special place in the black community, valued for their emotional significance and historical importance as centers of cultural affirmation, personal growth, and knowledge for people of color. Beyond being places for haircuts and beauty treatments, they are vital social spaces…
Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. and Autism Awareness
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday represents so many meaningful things- peace, love, and empowerment for those who are marginalized. As a Black parent of a child with autism, it also represents inclusion to me. There is no question that families impacted by autism have to do things differently. And that includes how…
Behind the Scenes with an ASNC Support Groups Specialist
The role of the ASNC Support Groups Specialist is truly unique. There are seven Support Groups Specialist positions across the state, six of which are filled by a remarkable team of ladies who serve their local regions. Have you ever wondered how an Autism Society of North Carolina Support Group leader developed their group…
Sarah Waller, an ASNC Registered Behavior Technician Who Goes Above and Beyond
One hot summer day, Sarah Waller’s car broke down on her way to work. Waller is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) who implements Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) plans for the Autism Society of North Carolina. Rather than cancel the session with the client and their family, Waller walked three miles in 100-degree heat to make…
Finding Connection and Understanding in Support Groups
Being an autism parent can be a challenge when you don’t have a community of support and understanding. We are in a different phase of life than many of our friends who want to support us, but don’t truly understand the joys, tribulations, extreme victories and moments of defeat. It can be a lonely journey,…
Eye Exams and Autism
My youngest son, Daniel, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 1/2 years old. Our family was thrown into our own “how to navigate our autism” journey. Although my son has limited language now, he was essentially non-verbal in those early years. Communication was difficult. Thankfully, here and there, we met wonderful providers,…
Disclosing Disability in the Workplace – My Experience
I am a late-diagnosed autistic adult, and I have ADHD, Bipolar II, OCD, and generalized anxiety. I also have dermatillomania, or skin picking disorder, and my information processing abilities rank 13th percentile. Physically, I have substantial hearing loss in both ears. This article focuses on lessons I learned as I searched for employment. I now…