Everyone has walked into a grocery store and seen a child crying while reaching for a candy bar in the checkout lane. Perhaps youāve experienced a toddler cry and scream when you walk out of the room, only to hear her stop as soon as you walk back inside. If youāre a parent, you may…
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, ānon-public educationā 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…
Plan Now for the Best Summer at Camp Royall
Registration is now open for Camp Royallās Summer Residential Camp lottery; you must complete the online registration by Feb. 28. Summer Day Camp registration is first come, first served, and begins March 1. Join us at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, to tour camp and talk to the directors about any questions you might have…
On the Road to Interdependence
Merriam-Webster defines independence as the quality or state of being independent, or competence. Other words used to express independence include self-support, self-subsistence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and finally, self-dependence. How many times have you heard or said the word āindependentlyā or used any of these synonyms when discussing goals, measuring growth, or contemplating the future as it…
Call US Senators Today about Housing Supports; Learn about ABLE updates
We have two national issues to update you on, and actions for you to take today and tomorrow! Money Follows the Person (MFP) is a federally funded demonstration program that helps people with disabilities move from institutional settings such as state-run developmental centers and nursing homes to live in community-based residential settings. North Carolina has…
New Year, New Schedules, New Opportunities
For those who have autism, the holidays can be a very overwhelming time of year. Excitement shifts into high gear. They must deal with lights and decorations, busy stores, extra traveling, family gatherings, and more people everywhere they go. Not to mention, if they are school-age, the routines they thrive on are interrupted by holiday…
Setting Goals and Making Resolutions
How many times this week have you been asked whether youāve made any New Yearās resolutions? How many times in your life have you been asked about your plans for the future? How would you answer if you had a limited concept of time and limited organizational skills? What is a goal, anyway?! Individuals with…