Extinction is what happened to the dinosaurs, the saber-toothed tiger, and the dodo bird. But did you know behavior can undergo extinction as well? Donât worry, behavioral extinction does not involve a massive comet colliding with the Earth. Behavior is said to undergo extinction when it simply no longer produces the reinforcement it once did….
Show Me the Data
Close your eyes and think of a behavior youâd like to see change in some way. It can be something youâd like to see increase or decrease. It can be something that your child, student, partner, friend, or even you do. Have you thought of something yet? Great! Hold on to that for a minute….
Catch Them Being Good: The Power of Praise
As parents and educators, it may seem like we are juggling never-ending to-do lists. When you add managing challenging behaviors to the list, it can quickly become overwhelming. Some days it may feel like all you are doing is telling children ânoâ or repeating instructions over and over. You may begin to ask yourself, âHow…
ASNC Clinical Team Partners with Schools
ASNCâs Clinical Department provides workshops and coaching to school systems, charter schools, and private schools. This year, we have seen lots of great collaborations with school systems to equip their staff to better serve students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). If you are a parent, please pass this information along to your childâs school. Who…
Finding My Purpose in Teaching Youth on the Spectrum
As a person with high-functioning autism, I have been blessed with the amazing opportunity to work with youth on the spectrum. I have worked for about 20 years as a teacher, if my volunteer teaching is included. I have worked as a regular education teacher in high schools, as a community college instructor for filmmaking,…
Focus on Healthy Habits at 2018 Annual Conference
The Autism Society of North Carolina held its 2018 annual conference March 23-24 in Charlotte. We will be sharing information from conference presentations in upcoming blog posts. Mindy Govan and Alicia DiDomizio, the Director and Assistant Director of ASNCâs IGNITE program for young adults on the spectrum, provided conference attendees with many tips they could…
Legislative Committee Studying Supports for Transition to Adulthood
The NC General Assembly created a legislative research committee to look at the needs of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), including autism. The committee is collecting information and hearing from various stakeholders in order to make recommendations to the General Assembly about the quality and quantity of services available to those with IDD…
Funding Available for Students in Private K-12 and Home Schools
North Carolina offers three programs to provide funding for K-12 students who opt for a non-public education. In North Carolina, ânon-public educationâ includes private schools and home schools, including home-school cooperatives. Each state funding program has different application processes and eligibility criteria. Two programs are specifically for students with a significant disability, as determined by…
Free workshop on behavior coming to the Triangle
As parents of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and as professionals working with individuals on the spectrum, it is likely that we have experienced challenging and persistent behaviors. When we experience these behaviors in an individual with ASD, one of the first questions we should ask ourselves is, âWhat is the individual trying to communicate…