NC Autism Society Receives Quality Accreditation

CQL’s accreditation is grounded in core values based on person-directed outcomes. CQL looks for Basic Assurances such as health, safety, and rights paired with Personal Outcomes of individual choice.

CQL’s four-year accreditation followed a week-long review by four Quality Enhancement Consultants, who worked with and visited people involved with ASNC throughout the state. In order to receive this four-year term of accreditation, the Autism Society of North Carolina demonstrated its commitment to person-centered services through:

* Person-centered service delivery.
* Flexible and changeable service provisions based on the priorities of people receiving services.
* Organizational practices that promote person-centered services.
* Extending staff expertise beyond the internal organization to influence the community outside the organization's walls.

“This accreditation validates our commitment to the individuals and families to whom we proudly provide services and support,” said Scott Badesch, CEO of the Autism Society of North Carolina. “It is a testament to the dedication of our staff to bringing about positive change in the lives of people living with autism, and to remaining responsive to the needs and dreams of those we serve.”

The Council on Quality and Leadership is at the forefront of the movement to create opportunities for people to lead the lives they choose and to improve the quality of services and support for people with disabilities and mental illness. For more than 30 years, CQL has worked to implement person-centered solutions for service and support organizations, state and national government agencies, regional systems and networks, and professionals and self-advocates. CQL is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities and mental illness have full and abundant lives.

Background:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which includes Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder—Not Otherwise Specified, is a lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Recent studies estimate that up to 1 of every 150 children born today will be affected by ASD. There are no prenatal indicators for ASD. Trained professionals make a diagnosis through observation and evaluation. Currently, there are an estimated 50,000 individuals with autism in North Carolina and more than 1.5 million people with ASD living in the United States.

The Autism Society of North Carolina was founded in 1970 by a group of parents who were concerned about the lack of diagnostic and treatment services for their children. Since then, the Autism Society of North Carolina has become the foremost source in the state for connecting people who live with ASD (and those who care about them) with resources, support, advocacy and information.

Additional information about Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Autism Society of North Carolina is available free of charge to North Carolina residents. To request a packet, please call 1-800-442-2762 or visit Autismsociety-nc.org.

Written by David Laxton from Autism Society of North Carolina