As a parent of an adult child with autism, one of my goals has always been to find as many opportunities as possible to improve my son’s social skills. All parents want their children to make and establish friendships, but for those on the autism spectrum, it is one of the most difficult aspects of…
Autism in the Friendly Skies
While it is impossible to foresee every scenario or emergency, as a flight attendant, I would like to share some tips for parents traveling on a plane with an autistic child. Booking your flight Notify your airline at the time of booking about your need for assistance and any accommodations they can provide such…
Taking Care of Yourself Benefits Your Loved One with Autism
Taking care of yourself is vitally important. Anyone who has been a parent, let alone parent to a child with a disability such as autism, will tell you that parenting can be tough. In my book, it’s definitely one of those conundrums where it is the toughest yet most rewarding thing you can do in…
Covelli Enterprises Improves Lives and Supports Families with $46,000 Gift
For the past two Aprils, Paneras owned by Covelli Enterprises in central NC have sold special puzzle piece shortbread cookies. Customers loved them, and those sales added up! Covelli donated almost $46,000 this year to improve the lives of individuals with autism and support their families through the Autism Society of North Carolina. Over two…
Young Musicians Donating Concert Proceeds to Help Others on the Spectrum
Seventh Judgement played its first gig last April in Charlotte. The three members of the band – all men in their 20s – weren’t expecting much. They were the opening group in a show that featured five other heavy metal bands. But the crowd loved them, moshing and waving pool noodles. They were called back…
Improving Health and Building Community in Asheville
Every Monday from 3 to 4 p.m., you can find a group of people of all ages running and walking at French Broad River Park in Asheville. Each time a participant completes the half-mile loop, a check is placed next to his or her name on a giant chart. They are all members of the…
Camp Royall Gives Sisters a Chance to be Themselves
The Miller sisters, Mikayla and Mackenzie, joined us at Camp Royall for the first time this summer, and they had a blast, each in their own way. Mikayla, who is 16, shared that she was a bit nervous and didn’t know what to expect from camp, but she truly flourished. She made several really good…