Fall is a great time to join one of the Autism Society of North Carolina’s 50 Chapters and Support Groups around the state. The beginning of the new school year also marks the restart of the groups’ activities and events. ASNC’s Chapters and Support Groups are led by generous parents or family member volunteers who…
Q&A with Dr. Jed Baker, Autism Expert
On Friday, November 4, Dr. Jed Baker will lead a daylong conference that touches on two very important topics for families and caregivers: managing frustration and anxiety and teaching social skills. Dr. Baker graciously shared some insights and previewed his talk in a Q&A recently. Why is it important for caregivers to think…
Kids Loved and Accepted as They Are at New Camps
Six-year-old Marshall Wingfield loves people, but he becomes overwhelmed in public and has always been a bit of a homebody, his mom says. “He wants so much to fit in and have friends,” said Elaina Wingfield of her son, who was diagnosed with autism last year during his kindergarten year. “But his challenges make…
Succeeding with a Dedicated, Caring CSI
We are republishing this article from the winter 2016 Spectrum in honor of National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. Alex Bagley has won many Special Olympics medals over the years at the county, state, and national levels. The 23-year-old from Fayetteville competes in 5-on-5 basketball, cycling, and aquatics. Alex, who has autism, is a hard worker…
Share Your Public Policy Priorities
This article was contributed by Jennifer Mahan, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at ASNC. The Autism Society of North Carolina advocates with policymakers at the General Assembly, state departments and divisions, and LME/MCOs to help create better services and opportunities for people on the autism spectrum. We are developing our public policy targets for…
Camp Royall: Better than the Beach
This article was written for the 2016 Camp Chronicle, which will be posted online later this month and mailed to campers and their families. To learn more about ASNC’s Camp Royall, go to www.camproyall.org. For Scott Lambeth, a day at Camp Royall is better than a day at the beach. Scott, who is 40 years…
Run/Walk for Autism: A Day “I Can Just Be Me!”
Two years ago at the 2014 Triangle Run/Walk for Autism, 7-year-old Abigail was in tears after crossing the finish line. She told her worried mother that she was sad because she didn’t win the race. Abigail’s parents explained to her that finishing first was not their goal. The little girl with autism took the lesson…
Gavin’s Gang Walks for Resources and Awareness
Gavin Beale didn’t say his first word and screamed in frustration until after his third birthday. From the time he was about 10 months old, his parents, Jenny and Jason Beale of Greensboro, were very concerned about him. “It was a very dark time because we didn’t know what was going on with him,”…
2016 Legislative Wrap-Up: Other Highlights
This article was contributed by Jennifer Mahan, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at ASNC. It is the third of three parts wrapping up the NC General Assembly’s 2016 short session. IDD Caucus: Establishment of a bipartisan, bicameral IDD caucus: North Carolina is the fourth state in the United States to have an officially established…