ABC of NC

09/10/2026

💙 A great resource for our community!

We’re excited to share information about the C.A.R.E. Sticker Project, an initiative from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and OPAL Autism Center focused on helping create safer, more understanding interactions between first responders and members of our community.

C.A.R.E. stands for Communication Awareness for Responder Encounters. The project gives individuals the opportunity to place a free sticker on their vehicle to help first responders know that someone inside may be autistic or have a hearing impairment—information that can make a meaningful difference during an emergency.

The project is launching with a free, family-friendly event on Friday, September 18, from 3–6 p.m. Community members can learn more about the program, pick up a free C.A.R.E. sticker, connect with local resources, and enjoy activities.

📍 113 Ashleybrook Ln., Winston-Salem
🗓️ Friday, September 18
⏰ 3–6 p.m.

Join the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and OPAL Autism Center for the launch of the C.A.R.E. Sticker project!

C.A.R.E. stands for communication awareness for responder encounters. This project is aimed at helping first responders quickly identify those in our communities who may need a different approach during emergency situations. Learn more about the program, pick up your free C.A.R.E. awareness stickers, connect with local resources, and enjoy fun activities. This is a free, family-friendly event for the whole community.

Friday, September 18th
3 pm - 6 pm
113 Ashleybrook Ln, Winston-Salem

09/10/2026

🎉 A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO LIZZY & BECKY! 🎉

We are incredibly proud to celebrate a very special accomplishment: our very own Lizzy Donovan and Becky Payton are officially published authors! 👏💙

Their research on supporting an autistic child with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile has been published in Research in Autism. Their study explored the use of declarative language and an indirect reward system to support participation in adult-selected activities, with promising results.

Publishing research is no small feat. It takes curiosity, expertise, persistence, and an incredible amount of time and dedication. We are especially proud to see Lizzy and Becky contributing to the growing body of research surrounding PDA and helping expand our understanding of how we can better support autistic individuals and their families.

This accomplishment is a reflection of the thoughtful, evidence-based work happening every day at ABC of NC—and we couldn’t be more excited to see their work reaching beyond our walls and contributing to the field. 💙

Lizzy and Becky, congratulations! We are so proud of you both! Please join us in celebrating these two incredible members of the ABC of NC team! 🎉👏

📖 Read their published research:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050656526002257

09/09/2026

30 seconds that’ll brighten your day ✨

Enjoy this little glimpse of one of our students working on his matching skills and making connections through hands-on learning. 💙

Matching is an important part of learning for individuals with autism. As our students practice connecting things that belong together, they’re building understanding and confidence that can grow with them into everyday life.

*Informed consent was obtained from all clients pictured. This information should not be captured and/or reused without express permission.

09/07/2026

ABC of NC will be closed Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.

We hope our ABC of NC community enjoys a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved long weekend! 💙❤️

We’ll see you back on Tuesday, September 8th! ✨

09/06/2026

🍺 Grab a pint, grab your friends, and join us for a night out for a good cause!

We’re headed to Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Company on Thursday, September 10 from 5–9 p.m. for a Pint Night benefiting ABC of NC! 💙

Even better? For every pint sold during the event, $1 will be donated to ABC of NC. 🙌

Stick around for Music Bingo starting at 7 p.m., with another round at 8 p.m. 🎶 Test your music knowledge, enjoy a local brew, and help support the individuals and families we serve. We hope to see you there!

📍 Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Company
772 N. Trade St., Winston-Salem
🗓️ Thursday, September 10
⏰ 5–9 p.m. | Music Bingo at 7 & 8 p.m.

09/05/2026

🎨 Learning, exploring, and making memories at Kaleideum! 💙

Our students had a blast on a recent field trip to Kaleideum, where they explored, played, and experienced hands-on learning in a whole new way! From discovering interactive exhibits to trying something new, there was plenty of curiosity and FUN along the way. ✨

We love opportunities like these that encourage our students to explore their world, build confidence, and make memories together outside of the classroom! 💙

A big thank you to Kaleideum for welcoming us for such a fun day! 🥰

*Informed consent was obtained from all clients pictured. This information should not be captured and/or reused without express permission

09/04/2026

✨ Feature Friday: A look back at some of our Gourmet Lunchbox Lunch keynote speakers!

For nearly two decades, the Gourmet Lunchbox Lunch has brought inspiring voices to our community to share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on autism, communication, and inclusion.

Today, we’re looking back at three of our past keynote speakers: Dr. Temple Grandin, Kaelynn Partlow, and John Elder Robison. 🎤

Want to hear from these incredible speakers? Visit our Video Library to watch presentations from past Gourmet Lunchbox Lunches and revisit some of the conversations that have helped shape our event over the years. 💙

🎥 https://www.abcofnc.org/parent-resources/video-library

And this year, we’re excited to continue the conversation at our 19th Annual Gourmet Lunchbox Lunch: Communication Beyond Words, featuring keynote speaker Tiffany Hammond on October 22, 2026.

We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate connection, communication, and every expression that tells a story!

09/03/2026

🎤🌤️ WEATHER REPORT: LIVE FROM THE FIELD!

Arturo is back with your Labor Day weekend forecast — and this time, he’s reporting LIVE from the field… aka the splash pad! 💦

He’s also debuting his brand-new Thumbs Up Weather System 👍 to let you know just how weekend-worthy the forecast is.

So… will Labor Day weekend get a 👍 or a 👎? Hit play to find out! 🇺🇸☀️

Informed consent was obtained from all clients pictured. This information should not be captured and/or reused without express permission.

09/01/2026

Say hello to our September Employee Spotlight, Rosalind Banks! 💚

Some people are simply the ones you know you can count on—and for us, that’s Rosalind. 💫

As our Clinical Billing Specialist, Rosalind brings so much more than expertise to her work. She leads with kindness, treats everyone with respect, and approaches every task with the care and integrity that make a difference.

When her team needed extra support during changes in the billing department, Rosalind was ready to jump in and help wherever she could. That willingness to step up, lend a hand, and keep a positive attitude is just one of the many reasons she is such a valued part of our ABC of NC team. 💚