October is recognized as National Disability Employment Awareness Month by the U.S. Department of Labor. The national campaign aims to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. The Autism Society of North Carolina has made it a priority to help individuals with autism to secure and maintain…
Summer Doesn’t Mean a Break from Learning
This article was contributed by Leica Anzaldo, Training Manager for the Autism Society of North Carolina. Many of us are looking forward to the summer: no early mornings at the bus stop, frantic lunch packing, haggling over bedtime… you get the picture. Of course a break from the intensity of school is important, but don’t…
Spotlight on the Forsyth County Chapter
Editor’s note: For those who have a loved one with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a community of support can be a lifeline. For more than 40 years, ASNC Chapters and Support Groups have provided families who face similar challenges an opportunity to encourage one another, share experiences, find information and resources, and have a place where…
Supporting Students with ASD in Inclusive Settings
This article was contributed by Louise Southern, Training Specialist with the Autism Society of North Carolina. As a consultant and former special education teacher, I have worked in a number of primary and secondary school settings to support students with autism who spend the majority of their day in inclusive settings. Often, these students are…
Extinction Bursts and the Importance of Full Disclosure
This blog post was written by Dr. Aleck Myers, Clinical Director for the Autism Society of North Carolina. Recently, I wrote a behavior support plan for an individual who frequently tantrums. Great methodology, if I do say so myself! It was well written and explained the rationale of the program to family and staff, stressing…
Seeing is Believing
Editor’s Note – The following article was written by Amy F. Hobbs, Training Coordinator with the Autism Society of North Carolina. Research shows that video modeling is an effective strategy to use with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder to improve social and communication skills. As a trainer, I frequently emphasize the importance of showing children…
Planning for the Future
by Linda Griffin, Parent Advocate Director Parents of children with autism are often so busy just getting through the day that they forget to plan for the future. And that future arrives sooner than you expect. One day you are struggling with toilet training and IEPs and the next day you look up and your…
A New Year, A New Approach to Challenging Behaviors
Editor’s Note – The following post was written by Louise Buchholz Southern, M.Ed., BCBA, Training Specialist for the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC). As professionals working in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) intervention and as parents of individuals with ASD, it’s likely that we have all experienced challenging and persistent behaviors. These…
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…