The need for employment opportunities for adults with autism is significant; studies have shown that a majority of them are unemployed or underemployed. For individuals on the spectrum, employment not only fosters financial stability and promotes greater independence but also increases self-esteem and provides opportunities to improve social skills, grow a network of friends and…
WNC Run/Walk is āAutism Community Dayā
Daniel Landry knows firsthand what a difference employment supports can make. Landry, a 33-year-old who is on the autism spectrum, faced some challenges at his first jobs. He was capable of doing the work but needed a different way to learn the tasks. āA lot of times the employer doesnāt understand autism or why youāre…
Workplaces Should Offer Autism Trainings and Accommodations
Autism awareness is not prevalent enough in the working world. A high percentage of adults with autism are unable to find work or work enough to support themselves. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, less than 20% of adults with disabilities were working or looking for work in 2014. People with mild forms of…
What Would Acceptance Mean to You?
More than anything, the Autism Society of North Carolinaās IGNITE program is a community where young adults on the autism spectrum find the acceptance and friendship they want and deserve. For the first time, they are going out with friends, driving, and dating. They are embarking on new educational journeys and landing jobs. The…
A Closer Look at the NC House Budget
This article was contributed by Jennifer Mahan, ASNC Director of Advocacy and Public Policy. The NC House passed HB97, its version of the two-year budget, on May 22. The House budget would increase spending by $1.3 billion (6.3 percent) to address funding needs in Medicaid, education, and other services. The bill includes funds for increased…
Focus on Science at ASNC Annual Conference
Dr. Geri Dawson, Director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, opened the second day of our annual conference with a fact-filled presentation titled: āAutism Spectrum Disorders: What do we know? Where are we heading?ā We would like to thank her for sharing her time and knowledge with us. For those who were…
Focus on Employment at ASNC Annual Conference
At ASNC, we believe that meaningful employment is a key component of a fulfilling life, but about four out of five adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are unemployed. Across the US, some enterprising families, and other concerned people, have come up with new and exciting ways to ensure that individuals with autism will enjoy…
Get to Know Joanna Bush, ASNC Bookstore Employee
Joanna Bush excels at spelling and math, and her organizational and clerical skills make her a valued employee of the Autism Society of North Carolina Bookstore. But the 31-year-old with autism brings something else to her several part-time jobs: a chance to educate the people around her. āIt creates more acceptance for someone like Joanna,…