Editor’s Update: Thank you for your advocacy supporting the Autism CARES Act. Our NC Senators, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, have both signed on to the reauthorization bill, and we are hopeful that the CARES Act will be reauthorized before Sept. 30. The Autism CARES Act will sunset (expire) on September 30 if it is…
From Genes to Biology: What We Know and Why It Matters
Dr. John Spiro of the Simons Foundation presented on āFrom Genes to Biology: What We Know and Why It Mattersā on Saturday, March 23, at the Autism Society of North Carolinaās annual conference in Charlotte. For those who were not able to attend his presentation, we are sharing some of the highlights here. About 12…
Join SPARK to Support Research
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) are excited to announce SPARK, a new genetics research project aimed at learning more about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We invite the North Carolina autism community to join the UNC SPARK cohort to move autism research forward. SPARKās mission…
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…
A New Program for Direct Services: LifeLong Interventions
This article was contributed by Dr. Aleck Myers, the Clinical Director for the Autism Society of North Carolina. The Autism Society is excited to announce the inauguration of a new service to provide direct supports to children, youth, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. What is LifeLong Interventions? Think early intervention, but for all ages….
Building Better Bridges with Parents and Caregivers
I have worked in the field of autism intervention for many years in a variety of clinical and educational contexts. My current role within the Autism Society of North Carolina is centered on delivering workshops to parents and professionals and providing individualized consultation to parents, caregivers, professionals, and self-advocates. As I reflect upon my experiences…
Keeping Our Cool When Things Get Heated
I am not the parent of a child with autism, but I am a parent. I know that it can be really hard for me to keep my cool sometimes when my young child starts to fall apart ā screaming, dropping to the floor, and noncompliant. But I also know that I will never make…
ASNC Advocates for People with Autism and Their Families, Part 2
Editorās note: This is part 2 ofĀ a Q&A with Jennifer Mahan, ASNC Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, and Kerri Erb, Senior Director of Quality and Programs. We have merged their responses to each of the questions. What do you, Jennifer Mahan and Kerri Erb, do? Here are the main areas: Coordinating public policy Communicate…
Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnoses rising, CDC says
Editorās note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced new prevalence rates for Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Autism Society of North Carolinaās Director of Communications, David Laxton, participated in the conference call announcing the results of the study. Here are his notes and observations with some insights as to what the numbers…