This article was submitted by Lesley Fraser, Camp Royall Assistant Director. This weekend, young adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome will gather at Camp Royall for one of the six adult retreats we offer throughout the year. It is often hard for me to believe that as the assistant director at Camp Royall, it’s…
Holiday Letter: Helping Friends and Family Understand Your Child with ASD
This letter is intended for relatives, friends, and hosts of holiday gatherings who might need a crash course in what to expect from their guest on the autism spectrum. The letter is written from the viewpoint of an individual with autism. For a PDF of the letter that you can print, click here. Dear Family…
Beyond Graduation – What’s Next for Students with ASD?
Editor’s Note – This article is from Kathleen Dolbee, a parent, educator, and ASNC Autism Resource Specialist. Graduation day is a big deal. In fact, it is so big, that parents must begin planning for it when their children enter high school. If your child has an IEP, from the time he turned 14, his…
Public Policy Update: NC Parents who Homeschool Gain Options for Instruction
This past legislative session, the General Assembly passed changes to North Carolina homeschool laws that allow more flexibility in instructional options. Senate Bill 189 redefined a homeschool to be a nonpublic school consisting of the children of not more than two families of “households where the parents or legal guardians or members of either household…
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…
Structure – an Important Teaching Tool
Editor’s Note – This article was written by Amy Hobbs, Training Coordinator for the Autism Society of North Carolina. To read Amy’s bio click here. It was Sunday and a new group of campers had arrived in the afternoon. I was called to the old dining hall to assist a counselor who was having trouble…
Tips for Parents Transitioning to the Innovations Waiver
Editor’s Note – The following article was written by Jean Alvarez, Parent Advocate/Trainer for the Autism Society of North Carolina and parent of a young man on the autism spectrum. Jean lives in western NC. As Local Management Entities (LMEs) move from the old system of service delivery to a network of MCOs and a…
Teaching Students with Asperger Syndrome for the First Time (Originally published July 28, 2005), By Dan Coulter
Dear Blog readers, In our state we are fortunate to have many individuals on the autism spectrum and family members who are happy to share information and perspectives. Today we add Dan Coulter to our list of Blog contributors. Dan lives in Winston-Salem with his wife Julie. He is owner of Coulter Video, a company…
Awareness Day at the General Assembly Changed to May 3
Save the Date for Autism Awareness Day! Mark your calendars now and join The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) at the for the 2011 Autism Awareness Day at the NC General Assembly on May 3rd from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.  We will have educational programs in the morning on legislative issues and ASNC staff and volunteers available…