Author: esantana

📅 Date: Friday, August 22nd, 2025

🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

📍 Location: Englewood United Methodist Church, Rocky Mount

🍽️ Food and Fun for Everyone!

RSVP with the number of people attending.

📲 Call or text Barbara at 252-450-5000 to RSVP

---

On Tuesday evening, February 25, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its budget resolution, which includes cutting $880,000 billion from Medicaid over the next ten years. The resolution now goes to the U.S. Senate for a vote.

The Medicaid cuts included in the House budget resolution will directly and negatively impact people with autism in North Carolina and across the country. Medicaid provides vital healthcare and community-based supports and services. It is often the only funding source for long-term support services that make it possible for individuals with autism to live and work in their community rather than in more costly institutions.  

What does this mean for North Carolina?

In North Carolina, 65% of funding for Medicaid services comes from the federal government. Caps, or reductions, in Medicaid funding from the federal government will mean cuts to services to people with autism and other intellectual or developmental disabilities in our state.

Medicaid services in North Carolina

In North Carolina, Medicaid pays for:

• Home- and community-based services through waivers like the Innovations Waiver and other community services like 1915i. 
• Services provided in intermediate care facilities, group homes, and other residential settings. 
• Health care (routine and emergency care), rehabilitation services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dental care, eye care, and medications.  
• Clinical treatment such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and outpatient/in-patient therapy.  
• In-school service for some Medicaid-eligible students. 

Act now!

The time is now! As the U.S. House resolution moves to the U.S. Senate for a vote, you can play a vital role in protecting Medicaid. Contact your U.S. Senators (Senator Thom Tillis, 202-224-6342, and Senator Ted Budd, 202-224-3154) and tell them: 

• I am a constituent from [your NC city, zip code] and I oppose Medicaid cuts and caps. 
• I am a person with autism/a family member/a professional in the autism field.  
• Medicaid is a lifeline for people on the autism spectrum. My family depends on Medicaid for services/supports. (Share a brief personal story.) 
• Do not cut or cap Medicaid funding. North Carolina already has a 10+ year waiting list for waiver services. Cuts to Medicaid will harm people who rely on Medicaid and make it harder for North Carolina to provide care. 

Visit our Medicaid Advocacy webpage for more information.

Your voice matters! Thank you for advocating for North Carolinians with autism. 

The Autism Society of North Carolina 

📢 Update: Our May 9th event has been canceled due to low expected attendance. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and hope to see you at a future gathering. Stay tuned for updates on our next meeting.

Due to the holidays, we will not have a meeting in April — but don’t worry, the fun is just around the corner!

🎉 Our next meeting will be held on Friday, May 9th, and you won’t want to miss it! After we eat, we’re kicking off an awesome Family Fun Time with bubbles and foam fun! 🫧

🧼 Be ready to dive into the bubbles — and don’t forget to bring extra clothes! 👕👖

📲 If you or someone you know would like to attend, please text or call Barbara at (252) 450-5000 to let us know you’re coming!

#TwinCountyAutism #FamilyFun #BubblesAndFoam #AutismSupport #CommunityTogether

We are excited to share some sweet news! Freddie’s has chosen us to receive a special ice cream bar, making our March meeting extra special! This is a treat you won’t want to miss. Also, the Down East Partnership for Children (DEPC), will provide parents with effective tips and strategies to help children manage emotions, solve problems, and develop positive social skills. For more details, see the previous post.

March 28th Meeting Details

📅 Date: Friday, March 28th, 2025

🕕 Time: 6:00 PM

📍 Location: Englewood United Methodist Church, Rocky Mount

🍽️ Light dinner will be provided!

🍦 Enjoy a special ice cream bar from Freddie’s!

👶 Childcare services available upon request!

RSVP by March 26th!

📲 Call or text Barbara at 252-450-5000 to RSVP.

Please note: 🚨 There will be no April meeting, but we will be back in May with more great events!

We can’t wait to see you there! 😊💙

Help Your Child Learn to Solve Problems and Get Along with Others

Parenting can be challenging, especially when dealing with a child who exhibits aggressive behavior. If you have a child between birth and age 5, we invite you to join the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Discussion Group for an insightful session on Fighting & Aggression.

This session, hosted by Down East Partnership for Children (DEPC), will provide parents with effective tips and strategies to help children manage emotions, solve problems, and develop positive social skills.

Event Details:

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 18

🕠 Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM

📍 Location: In-person at DEPC

📌 Registration Required

What’s Included?

✅ Dinner & Child Care Provided – No need to worry about meals or childcare during the session.

✅ Weekly Gas Cards & Play Incentives – Get rewarded while learning valuable parenting strategies!

How to Register?

📌 Scan the QR code on the flyer (if you have a copy)

📧 Email: Amber Payton at [email protected]

📞 Call: 252-985-4300 (ext. 233)

Space is limited, so register today!

Location Information:

📍 Down East Partnership for Children

215 Lexington Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27801

☎ 252-985-4300

🌍 Website: www.depc.org

This program is supported by NC SNAP-ED, an initiative funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights on how to manage aggression in young children and foster a peaceful home environment. Join us and let’s work together to create positive parenting experiences!

📅 The Twin County Autism group will meet at 6 PM on Friday, February 28th, 2025, at Englewood United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount.

🍽️ Light dinner will be provided!

👶 Childcare services are available upon request!

📲 Call or text Barbara at 252-450-5000 to RSVP.

We can’t wait to see you there! 😊

New complaints follow years of a worsening shortage of special education teachers that’s leaving schools without qualified faculty and students without properly provided services.

More details (WRAL News): https://www.wral.com/story/nc-schools-are-struggling-to-hire-special-education-teachers-parents-are-filing-complaints/21825533/

 A Note from our Founders

We were talking recently with a family whose child had been diagnosed with autism. Anxiety, fear, frustration, and uncertainty would be just a few of the words to describe the feelings of the parent. These feelings are something we both have experienced ourselves, and countless other families.

The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter one talks about how God comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in need with the comfort we receive ourselves from God. We are thankful God has and continues to use Aces for Autism as a place of refuge and comfort for individuals and families.

Our heart for 2025 is to lay the groundwork for expanding programs and opportunities, similarly to how we have advocated for behavioral and educational opportunities.

No matter what an individual may be going through, it is refreshing to know that God shares in our sufferings and in our comfort!

We appreciate each individual and business for your support and encouragement. Looking forward to seeing what God does through Aces for Autism in 2025!

Kyle and Bobbie Robinson, Founders

WILSON BANQUET
 

OUR BANQUET FOR OUR WILSON CLINIC WILL BE HOSTED ON APRIL 14TH! THE GUEST SPEAKER FOR THIS EVENT WILL BE ECU’S VERY OWN PARKER BYRD!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THIS EVENT OR BECOME A SPONSOR, PLEASE CONTACT:

252-230-4854

OR 

[email protected]

VALENTINE CELEBRATIONS
WE WILL BE HOSTING NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY!  

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: A VALENTINES PARTY, CRAFTS, AND A VALENTINES DANCE! 

THE WINTERVILLE LOBBY SHOP WILL BE OPEN ON VALENTINES DAY! INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM WILL BE SELLING HOMEMADE COOKIES, HOT CHOCOLATE, AND COFFEE!  

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE FROM OUR LOBBY SHOP, PLEASE COME ANY TIME BETWEEN 4:30 & 6 ON VALENTINES DAY!

  
THOSE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING, CLICK BELOW

Volunteering

DONATE HERE, TO HELP SUPPORT THESE ACTIVITIES.
Donate

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT


Thank you to all who generously donate! Whether it be a one-time gift, monthly, or annually, your support allows us to impact people on a daily basis. Due to your support, Aces for Autism recently added a ball cleaning machine for the Winterville Gross Motor Room. This machine allows us to keep the room open more frequently, so individuals can enjoy, learn, and grow!  

Wilson Clinical Director

Alexander Ambani has been with Aces for Autism for almost 2 years!  We are happy to announce that Lexy has been promoted to our Wilson Clinical Director! He has been a wonderful addition to their clinic and the behavior technicians are thriving under his guidance! 

Wilson Clinical Trainer

Donyaisja Hopkins is coming up on her 2 years at the Aces for Autism-Wilson Clinic! She was recently promoted from a Registered Behavior Technician, to the new Wilson Clinical Trainer! Donyaisja already has a relationship with the clients and staff we have in Wilson, so she is a perfect fit!  

📅 The Twin County Autism group will meet at 6 PM on Friday, January 24th, 2025, at Englewood United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount.

🍽️ Dinner will be provided!

👶 Childcare services are available!

📲 Call or text Barbara at 252-450-5000 to RSVP.

We can’t wait to see you there! 😊

Important: If children do not attend school in person on Friday, then we will not have our Autism Group meeting and will try to reschedule for a later date.

As we welcome 2025, we reflect on the incredible moments, connections, and growth we’ve shared over the past year. Your support, dedication, and kindness have been the heartbeat of our community, and we couldn’t be more grateful. 💙

This year, let’s continue to uplift each other, embrace new opportunities, and celebrate every milestone—big or small. Together, we can make 2025 a year of progress, understanding, and unity for all families touched by autism.

💡 “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

🌟 From all of us at Twin County Autism Group, we wish you and your loved ones a year filled with health, happiness, and hope. Here’s to brighter days ahead!

#HappyNewYear2025 #TwinCountyAutism #SupportAndInclusion #NewYearNewHope