This article was contributed by Amy Perry, an ASNC Autism Resource Specialist and mom to a daughter with autism. Whenever I see the movie “Mary Poppins,” I smile at one of the film’s early scenes in which the next door neighbor fires his cannon every day. Everyone in the house automatically anticipates this temporary disruption…
Q&A with Dave Spicer, Self-Advocate, Father, and Conference Speaker
Dave Spicer was diagnosed with autism in 1994 at age 46, shortly after his son’s diagnosis. Since then, Spicer says, he has been examining his life with moderate diligence. He often speaks and writes about the experience of living with autism and serves on the Autism Society of North Carolina’s Board of Directors. Spicer will…
A look back at a remarkable year
A few highlights from 2013 2013 was a busy year in the autism community. We witnessed the changeover in statewide service delivery from Local Management Entities (LMEs) to Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). Issues that had stalled for years with the legislature moved forward, but not all the way into law. And more families learned that…
Inclusion Tips for Regular Education Teachers
This article was submitted by Amy Hobbs, Training Coordinator for the Autism Society of North Carolina. The beginning of a new school year can be an exciting and scary time for teachers and students. Regular education teachers with a student with autism in their classrooms for the first time might be left wishing they had…
The Triangle Run/Walk for Autism: Because Experience Makes a “World of Difference”
Lorraine La Pointe moved to North Carolina because of a brief encounter with a respite worker. It was the early 1990s, and La Pointe was living in Florida with her toddler son, who had autism. She was having trouble getting services for Adam, who was nonverbal until the age of 3. La Pointe came to…
Autism Resource Specialists: New Name, Proven Resource
The Autism Society of North Carolina has a new name for a proven resource: Parent Advocates will now be called Autism Resource Specialists, better conveying the benefits they can provide to families that are seeking help for loved ones with autism. We have Autism Resource Specialists to support families in every county of North Carolina….
The Greensboro Run/Walk for Autism: Teaching Compassion
Robin McCraw is a teacher, so she knows all about inspiring the next generation. What she sees each year at the Greensboro Run/Walk for Autism thrills her: enthusiastic teams of young people from schools such as UNC-Greensboro and High Point University, representing their service clubs and athletic teams. “They’re learning to be compassionate and to…
Action Alert: Voting Rights Threatened
Today the NC Senate will introduce a new version of an omnibus voting and elections bill in the rules committee that will strip voting rights from people with guardianship. H589 VIVA/Election Reform as proposed by the Senate would do the following: The Senate Voting Omnibus Bill: Limits who can assist an individual who receives guardianship…