The Autism Society of North Carolina’s Clinical Department is now offering Social Connection groups in Wilmington for children and teens aged 9-12 years old and 13-16 years old. Using evidence-based and individualized teaching strategies, our program aims to empower learners by helping them to express their preferences, needs, and boundaries; promoting social understanding; and helping…
Public Policy Update: Rate Increase to Support Wages for Direct Support Workers A First Step in Right Direction
The state budget that passed in December 2021 included funding towards increasing Medicaid home and community-based provider rates so that wages paid to direct support professionals/direct support workers can be increased. While the budget special provision language states that 15.00 per hour is the goal, there is not enough money appropriated in the budget to…
Integrated Care: Why it Matters and How to Achieve it
“Integrated care” is a term that has begun showing up more in healthcare settings as something desired and positive. You may have also heard of it referred to as “whole-person care” or “coordinated care,” but those terms don’t tell us what it is, why we want it, or how to get it. This article will…
Supporting Someone with Autism in Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
When my son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, sleep was amongst our greatest concerns. From the time he was born, our son had issues falling asleep and staying asleep. Never did we sleep through the night for more than three straight nights (once we went through the circus act of getting…
Public Policy Update: Competitive Integrated Employment in North Carolina Enters New Era with Plan for Closure of “Sheltered Workshops”
The state of North Carolina (NC DHHS) announced they have entered into a settlement agreement with Disability Rights North Carolina and the Center for Public Representation to ensure that over 1,000 individuals with disabilities currently working in segregated employment settings have the opportunity to seek out community-based integrated competitive employment. Segregated employment settings, often called…
Clinic-Based ABA Programming for Early Learners in Wilmington
The Autism Society of North Carolina is now offering clinic-based services for young learners diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through the LifeLong Interventions program in Wilmington. The goals of our program are to encourage engagement and learning through play in a motivating and enriching environment and to support emotional regulation development and skill building….