What is masking? It is something we all do to some degree. Whether we feel incredible or absolutely miserable, it is expected to present to others that things are fine and perfectly alright. It can take some extra work to put on this appearance. On those days when one does not want to get out…
New Year’s Resolutions and Autism – A Promise to You
Happy New Year! Many people approach the new year as a time to focus on bettering themselves. In fact, making New Year’s resolutions has history in both Western and Eastern cultures and dates back many centuries – a fun tidbit I learned in preparing for this blog. Our friends at Wikipedia define resolutions as a…
Understanding the ISP
Because my adult son receives services through the Innovations Waiver program, we contribute to his ISP, or Individual Support Plan. During the school years, we were familiar with the IEP (Individualized Education Program), but since we transitioned into the post-school era, the document that we work on every year is the ISP. An ISP is…
On Empowerment: Where to Begin When Building Self-Advocacy Skills and How to Be a Better Ally
Note: This post originally appeared in the Winter 2021 issue of Spectrum. For any individual, empowerment is crucial when it comes to the creation of a meaningful life—one that is embedded with communication, choice, and opportunity. These positive outcomes are often spoken about when speaking about empowerment, but there is a dark side……
New Connections for the New Year
It’s a new year, and we are all looking forward to new opportunities. We are setting goals, making plans, and renewing our hopes. If one of your goals is to find a community of support for yourself and your family, we invite you to join your local Autism Society of North Carolina Chapter. These support…
Find Your People in an ASNC Chapter
Are you looking for a community of support during these challenging times? Do you wish you could ask questions of other parents or share your child’s latest victory with people who will get it? Want to help raise autism awareness in your community? Join an Autism Society of North Carolina Chapter! We have more than…
From Awareness, to Acceptance, to Empowerment
Individuals with autism and those who love and support them have a long history of advocating for their community, an undertaking fueled by their fundamental belief that the potential for a person with autism is limitless. From these grassroots advocacy efforts has sprung meaningful, sustainable outcomes that benefit everyone with autism and those who love…
CADCO Construction Improves Lives with Annual Golf Tournament
In two years, the families that own and operate CADCO Construction Company have raised an astounding $37,800 through golf tournaments to improve the lives of individuals with autism and support their families. Ashley and Cortney Duncan, president of CADCO, have triplets, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. Cortney’s stepbrother, Josh Hines, is the…