SAFE - Special Needs Advocates

01/24/2026

We urge all care takers to take notice of the alerts for the storm. Heed advice to stay indoors to avoid icy road conditions. Be warm. Stay safe.

11/19/2025

Want to give your child a wonderful holiday shopping experience? Take them to a unique shop that has gifts for under $10? The Hickory Post at 202 E. Main St. in Rock Hill, SC has marvelous items designed by local artists. https://www.thehickorypost.com/
While there check out the art prints by savant artists Jay1Tee2. Their t-shirt designs are also sold at https://www.cannaclothingco.com/.

Art, Home, and the Stories Between. There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when art and home meet. That’s what The Hickory Post is,  a curated collective where creativity lives in every corner, and connection is woven through every detail.What began as a small community of artists has gr...

05/31/2025

Congratulations to the Class of 2025. Blessings and Best Wishes as you venture forth. Oh, the places you will go (Dr. Seuss)

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And
you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll
decide where to go.

You’ll get mixed up,
of course, as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up with
many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great
tact and remember that
Life’s A Great Balancing Act.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!

Send a message to learn more

05/22/2025

Join us this summer on Mondays @ 1 p.m. for our Summer Tech Training. Each session is designed to provide valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your tech skills and knowledge. Don't miss out on these exciting opportunities to learn and grow!

03/26/2024

Spark Logo
March 2024
Wendy Chung
During Women's History Month, we celebrate the successes and sacrifices of women everywhere. Many of the investigators across the SPARK study are women who work hard every day to improve the lives of people with autism. Women with a diversity of experiences - we all have something unique to contribute.

In addition to celebrating autism moms, grandmothers, and other caregivers this month, SPARK is also highlighting the important role of siblings. We've heard from many SPARK families over the years about the precious bond between individuals with autism and their non-autistic siblings. You can find their stories and related webinars on the SPARK website. Now, researchers are leaning on these family relationships and unbreakable bonds to understand more about autism.

On Wednesday, March 27 at 1:00 p.m. ET, SPARK will host the webinar, “Infant Visual Brain Development in Autism.” During this webinar, Dr. Jessica Girault will present an overview of what we know about brain development in autism spectrum disorder in infancy. She will focus on findings generated by the Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) Network, which has studied brain development in younger siblings of children with ASD for nearly 20 years. I encourage you to submit your questions in advance to [email protected]. Webinar registration is free and open to all!

There's so much we can learn from each other through SPARK. If you are already a participant, remember to check your dashboard for surveys. We use survey information to match you to additional autism research studies through SPARK Research Match.

We are eager and interested to hear from you. As always, if you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].

Wendy K. Chung, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator

SPARK Update

03/09/2024

It is not often we hear about famous people with autism, and it is even less often we hear about famous women with autism!!

This is because the current figures show that autism is 3 times more diagnosed in males than females.

During Women's History month these awesome famous women with autism can be inspirational and interesting for you. Watch is You Tube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFXlyV-9fLo TheAspieWorld.com

1 Dr. Temple Grandin
Temple Grandin is a very famous doctor of animal science who is famous for being a public advocate for autism as she has a diagnosis of autism herself. She has published books and tv shows on the subject.

2 Ann Hegarty
Ann Hegarty is a famous British TV personality most notably known for her role on a game show as the pop culture and fact intellectual contender against members of the public. Her autism helps her be a fact machine.

3 Susan Boyle
Susan Boyle is a British singer who is most famous for being a contestant on Britain’s got Talant TV Show. Susan was so interesting as her appearance and personality traits didn’t match up to her incredible singing voice. She has a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome.

4 Daryl Hannah
Daryl Hannah is an American actress best known for her roles in Kill Bill and other Hollywood movies. Daryl has an autism diagnosis.

5 Charl Davies
Charl Davies is a Welsh MTV personality and star of the show Just Tattoo Of Us. Whilst filming the show she was diagnosed with autism.

02/16/2024

SPARK Research Match Summary Reports Below is a list of research reports done by SPARK. Check out their web site and get matched for studies.
Underage Drinking in Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth (PDF or web page)
Sexual Identity, Mental Health, and Quality of Life in Autistic Adults (PDF or web page)
How Do Sleep and Some Medications Affect Heart Disease Risks in Autistic Adults? (PDF or web page)
What Mental Health Therapies Work for Autistic Adults? (PDF or web page)
Understanding Aggression in Children and Teens with Autism (PDF or web page)
The Experiences of Black and Multiracial Families Seeking Screening, Diagnosis, and Intervention for Autism (PDF or web page)
Parent-Led, Therapist-Assisted Behavioral Therapy for Children with Autism and Anxiety (PDF or web page)
Intense Daydreaming and Creative Thinking in Autistic Adults (PDF or web page)
Social Support and Quality of Life in Autistic Adults (PDF or web page)
The Health Problems of Young Autistic Adults (PDF or web page)
The Pandemic’s Impact on Children with Autism and their Parents (PDF or web page)
Movement Problems in Older Autistic Adults (PDF)
The Link Between Negative Thoughts and Depression in Autistic Adults (PDF)
How Common is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in Autism? (PDF)
Depression Treatment and Symptoms in Autistic Adults (PDF format)
How Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Independent Adults with Autism? (PDF)
Beliefs about Causes of Autism and Vaccines (PDF)
What Have Researchers Learned about Special Interests in Autism from SPARK Participants? (PDF)
How Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect People with Autism and their Caregivers? (PDF)
Camouflaging Autism: Do Autistic Teenagers Hide Their Autism Traits? (PDF)
Impact of COVID-19 on Families and Children with Autism (PDF)
Impact of COVID-19 on Autistic Adults (PDF)
Treatment Patterns in Children with Autism in the United States (PDF )
Genes and Environment Autism Research Study (GEARS) (PDF)If

01/01/2024

Bible verses for the New Year 2024:
James 1:17: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Philippians 4:19: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Lamentations 3:22-24: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

It's All About The Children. May each have the blessings of health, safey, love and joy in '24. Best wishes from SAFE.

11/11/2023

In a few days, we will gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving. I hope that everyone will have safe travels and enjoyable visits. As you pray, remember to be thankful for the many blessings we have been gifted this year. Especially those that impacted the growth and development of our precious children and adults with unique abilities. With all of our challenges, there are still things that can give us encouragement. We want to continue to expose our charges to environments that let them be themselves. There is nobody else like them. Our love and nurturing with let them be the best they can be. May you be given that strength that you need when you feel about the drop from exhaustion. Then there is that smile or hug that lets you know you can do it. "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100 Lay everything aside that hinders us and let us have a joyful holiday.

10/06/2023

It's fall softball season. Check to see if your area has a Miracle Park League. Great experience teaching skills and teamwork.

10/06/2023

We hope that everyone will have exciting and happy adventures during October events and celebrations.

Carl Sandburg (1878–1967). Chicago Poems. 1916.

UNDER the harvest moon,

When the soft silver

Drips shimmering

Over the garden nights,

Death, the gray mocker,

Comes and whispers to you

As a beautiful friend

Who remembers.

Under the summer roses

When the flagrant crimson

Lurks in the dusk

Of the wild red leaves,

Love, with little hands,

Comes and touches you

With a thousand memories,

And asks you

Beautiful, unanswerable questions.

As our children age and want more freedom, it can be a real struggle to motivate your spectrum child and keep them accountable when they get older. According to Danny Raede at aspergerexperts.com, there are two main motivation methods to use when motivating someone with Asperger's/Autism, however, the most common method should really only be used in extreme circumstances, because it has some nasty long-term side effects you might not know about. If you are interested in how to manage these situations he is offering a no-cost webinar. One can register at https://www.aspergerexperts.com/m/webinars/hta-tap/signup.

A Free Webinar That Teaches Parents How To Hold Their Autistic Spectrum Kid Accountable... Without Nagging Or Walking On Eggshells.