This month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness toward meaningful acceptance.  The Autism Society of America has launched its Autism Is campaign to amplify the voices and lived experiences of Autistic individuals. Autism Is: personal and collective--an identity, a culture, a way of life. It comes with strengths and struggles, moments of joy, and challenges. You can make an impact by sharing your story, getting involved, and supporting the Autism community.   In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly designated April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day. The day's purpose is to highlight the need to improve the quality of life for people with autism and ensure they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.  Consider wearing one of the following colors or something related to Autism Acceptance on Wednesday, April 2:Blue: represents calmness, understanding, and support for individuals with autism. Red: symbolizes passion, advocacy, and the love and support for those affected by autism.Yellow: represents optimism, hope, and the unique abilities and talents of individuals with autism.Green: represents growth, progress, and the diversity of the autism spectrum.Purple: represents creativity, individuality, and the unique perspectives of people with autism.Rainbow: represents the complexity and diversity of the autism spectrum.Resources:Autism SocietyCenters for Disease Control and PreventionUnited Nations

 National Deaf History Month is celebrated from March 13 through April 15 to commemorate the achievements of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Deaf History Month aims to raise awareness about the deaf community, their struggles, and their contributions to society. The specific timeframe was chosen to recognize pivotal moments in deaf education, highlighting the progress and achievements of the deaf community.  Key Dates:March 13, 1988: Gallaudet University appointed its first deaf president, I. King Jordan.April 8, 1864: Gallaudet University, the first institution of higher education for the deaf and hard of hearing, was officially founded.April 15, 1818: America's first public school for the deaf, the American School for the Deaf, opened.  The American Society for Deaf Children estimates that about 11.5 million Americans have some sort of hearing impairment, ranging from difficulty in hearing conversation to total hearing loss. That's about 3.5% of the population. In addition, around 50 million of the population experience some level of tinnitus - a constant ringing in the ears.  Access National Deaf History Month resources on their ASL Stories Directory.  You can find more statistics about hearing here.  Ways to Observe Deaf History MonthLearn sign language.Learn more about deaf history.Partner with the deaf community.Resources:American Society for Deaf ChildrenNational Association of the DeafNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication DisordersNational Today

World Down Syndrome Day is observed annually on March 21st. This is a global awareness day to raise awareness about Down syndrome, advocate for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome, and celebrate their potential and accomplishments.  This specific date (the 21st day of the 3rd month) was chosen to represent the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome.  One way to get involved is to share the 2025 theme message on March 21st: We call on all Governments to Improve Our Support Systems. Another easy way to get involved is to wear socks that will get noticed on March 21st. You could wear mismatched socks or your most colorful or brightest socks. When someone asks about your socks, you can start a conversation by saying, "I'm wearing them to raise awareness of Down syndrome." You can visit World Down Syndrome Day's Lots of Socks campaign to sign up to receive resources and support them by purchasing their official socks. The National Down Syndrome Society has created a virtual event challenging participants to walk, run, or take any other type of movement for 3.21 miles or minutes in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day. They have also created toolkits with additional ways to get involved, including a classroom toolkit and a WDSD coloring book. #WorldDownSyndromeDay#LotsOfSocksResources:Down Syndrome InternationalNational Down Syndrome SocietyNorth Carolina Down Syndrome AllianceWorld Down Syndrome DayGlobal Down Syndrome Foundation

Brain Injury Awareness Month is dedicated to recognizing and raising awareness about the spectrum of brain injuries, from mild concussions to more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). This month focuses on preventing such injuries, the challenges survivors face, and the latest advances in research and treatment.  Five Fast Facts: Concussions happen more often than you think.Concussion symptoms are not always obvious. Alcohol and caffeine can impact concussion recovery.Screen time impacts concussion recovery.Driving skills can be impacted by a concussion or TBI.You can access more information about each fact here.Ways to Get InvolvedIf you are passionate about this cause or have a personal connection to it, here's how you can make an impact:Wear Green: Symbolizing brain injury awareness, wear green accessories or clothing, especially on designated awareness days. Attend Workshops: Participate in seminars, workshops, or webinars focusing on brain injury prevention, recovery, or support. Share Personal Stories: If you or a loved one has experienced a brain injury, sharing your story can inspire and educate others.Support Survivors: Engage with brain injury support groups, offering your time, resources, or a listening ear. Donate: Contribute to organizations or research institutions working on brain injury research, treatment, and patient support. The Brain Injury Association of America has a My Brain Injury Campaign where you can find additional information on how to get involved, raise awareness, become an advocate, campaign resources, and a calendar of events. The Brain Injury Association of North Carolina also has many resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, professionals, and veterans/military members.  They also offer education and training and many resources including a brain injury care binder, various toolkits and guides, and many downloadable handouts and activities in their online learning center.  Another resource in our community is the Family Support Network of Greater Forsyth (FSN). They provide parent training and support groups, sibling support, bilingual support, and specialized family groups.Connect, converse, and contribute to the discussion with the following hashtags:#BrainInjuryAwareness2025#ChangeYourMind#BrainInjurySurvivor#TBIHope#ProtectYourBrainResources:Awareness DaysBrain Injury Association of AmericaBrian Injury Association of North CarolinaFamily Support Network of Greater ForsythMid-Atlantic Concussion Alliance

In October 2024, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) partnered with Alliance Health and Somethings to expand mental health support for teens in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. About SomethingsSomethings is a mental health platform that connects teens and young adults with Certified Peer Specialist Mentors and can provide referrals to licensed therapists. Each teen is connected with a mentor who has overcome what they are going through and shares common interests. Mentors provide a relatable, low-pressure way to connect. If you know a teen (age 13 and older) who needs mental health support, visit somethings.com/northcarolina to get connected to support. Services are available via text and video calls after school from 3-11 p.m. and on weekends.  In addition to mental health support for a variety of diagnoses, teens can also get support with future planning, social isolation, academic challenges, relationships, family dynamics, siblings, mindfulness, and goal setting.   Parents can visit https://somethings.com/for-parents to get more information and hear testimonials from other parents.  Resources:Alliance HealthNorth Carolina Department of Health and Human ServicesNorth Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use ServicesSomethings

Here are some mental health reminders as we prepare for a well-deserved holiday break. Our everyday work can be challenging sometimes and we need reminders to put on our own oxygen mask FIRST. Take care of yourselves and those that you love during this holiday season. Although it is a joyous season, some of us may have difficulty finding our joy for many reasons. Take the opportunity to REST, RECHARGE, RESET & RENEW over the upcoming holiday break: REST - Rest means to stop being active for a period of time to relax and regain strength. Taking a break from the emotional demands of daily life is required for our mental health. Getting adequate sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being. Sleep is required to produce serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that promote feelings of happiness and well-being. Sleep helps our bodies cope with stress effectively and reduces our risk for serious health problems.RECHARGE - Take a break from activities that are difficult or tiring. Do something somewhere with someone that brings you JOY. Set boundaries as necessary with people & things that don't bring you joy. Boundaries protect your well-being, by limiting who has access to your personal and emotional space. You must protect your peace and regain strength and energy by feeding your soul. RESET - Pause, reflect, and regain clarity. Evaluate and decide what you need to realign your life with your core values and purpose in 2025. Consider making some changes to increase your overall life satisfaction. Accept current circumstances and allow yourself to feel your emotions without judgment. Shift your focus from what you fear to what you can gain. Instead of seeing change as a threat, consider it an opportunity for growth, learning, and innovation.RENEW- Remember your why!!! Reflect on the reason that you came into education and use that as a guiding principle for your actions and decisions going forward. Consider your impact. This can reduce feelings of anxiety and help you find clarity and motivation for the demands of the rest of the school year. Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) a.k.a. "The Seasonal Blues" is REAL! Please take care of yourself and those that you love! Self-Care Tips: • Celebrate yourself (YOU ROCK!)    • Exercise or move your body regularly• Spend some time in nature (we have some great walking trails) • Mindfulness Meditation (sit in silence, breathe deeply, & clear your mind) • Yoga (great way to release tension & stretch) • Take a nap (or at least regular mental breaks) • Declutter your environment• Evaluate your diet (fuel your body with balanced, nutritious meals)• Stay hydrated • Set boundaries • Listen to your body • Watch a good movie • Read a good book• Reassess your social circle • Practice forgiveness (for others & yourself - release negative emotions)• Determine your core values• Define your priorities for the future • Make a vision board or set goals for 2025 • Try something new (great way to challenge your mind) • Practice Gratitude (can help shift your mindset - there's an app for this) • Start a journal (clear your mind & gain clarity - there's an app for this) • Go see the Christmas lights in our community • Drink hot cocoa (great with marshmallows, candy canes and whipped cream) • Spend time with those you love (and love you) • Create a playlist with all your favorite songs • Listen to a podcast • Make time for things that bring you JOY • Laugh out loud (it's healing) • Cry if needed (it's a great stress reliever) • Take a bubble bath • Smile • Hug someone tightly (physical touch is healing) • Cuddle with your pet • Cleanse your system (gut health is important to mental health) • Schedule your annual physical (physical health is important to mental health) • Create a self-care plan for 2025 • Take a social media detox (reduces stress and toxicity) • Call 988 if you have a mental health emergency - 24/7 • Use the Employee Assistance Program if needed • Schedule a therapy session if needed

An anonymous donor is willing to donate $1,000 to ISPA if the combined membership can donate the same amount to the ISPA Development Fund by April 30, 2025. Further details concerning the Development Fund can be accessed on https://ispaweb.org/membership/capital-campaign/. Thank you for your continued support of ISPA's mission and development.

Chryse (Sissy) Hatzichristou, ISPA Past President From December 30th 2024 to January 20th 2025, you will have the opportunity to select officer for ISPA. We will be voting on candidates for President for the term 2027-2029. The mandate encompasses a 6-year term, starting in July 2025 as President-Elect (2025-2027), President (2027-2029), and Past President (2029-2031). [...]