One individual decided to remove those challenges and open his doors to everyone and anyone, thus why we have chosen him, Charles Falk at Innovative Martial Arts Academy in Wake Forest, to be the FIRST Community Hero for The City Insight.

Charles has trained for over forty (40) years in martial arts. Not only has he found his calling in learning martial arts, but also found a passion in teaching others to benefit from this. He opened his first school in Albuquerque, New Mexico while still active duty in the Air Force. After retiring from his twenty (20) year service, he brought his teaching skills to Wake Forest, where his experience has also encompassed training police officers and members of the Special Forces community.

It wasn’t long till the first special needs student entered his facility, and it wouldn’t not be his first and only. Special needs students were welcomed with opened arms. Every student is unique, both in the way they learn and process information; he proudly shares his knowledge and devotion so that everyone in the class can benefit from this.

Sensei Charles knows that sometimes it may take more patience and time to help others, but he has all the time in the world for each student.

An article from SpecialNeeds.com states that through Karate, consistency and repetition create familiarity for those with special needs therefore, children on the Spectrum do well in karate classes. A unique module of martial arts for children with special needs is the contest inside themselves. As children with special needs require extra work on life skills, karate meets a criterion that is prudently considered and achievable. Attaining those life skills are why you should consider martial arts, and if that is what you find, then those students have already become winners.

Beginning with the Lil’ Ninjas program for ages three (3) to five (5), Sensei Charles designed a program to introduce all children to the foundations of movement and coordination, listening and following directions. The Young Dragons program for ages five (5) to seven (7) provides high-energy training for students of all abilities. The Kenpo program for ages eight (8) to twelve (12) focuses on speed and efficiency, and accuracy in striking and self-defense techniques. Charles makes sure that every class is held under close supervision of professional instructors.

Adults also benefits from Sensei Charles’ training programs. The Kali program help those defend against sticks, edged weapons, and open-hand attacks. The Aikido program teaches his students to use leverage and strength to gain control over an opponent, through throws, joint locks, and the effects of momentum.

Charles believes in the value of “family first” and by emphasizing that every person, especially those with special needs should always feel welcomed from day one and challenged with exciting classes that are always changing to keep them on their toes. He continues by saying that a special individual’s path through life is especially difficult by the daily challenges thrown at them to cope with their surroundings and unnerving distractions. At his dojo, he enforces that an individual’s mental, physical, and emotional tools will receive unwavering support with the comprehensive coaching that Sensei Charles and his instructors provide.

Charles believes that all individuals with special needs can find within themselves a new sense of confidence and willingness to try new things. He also believes that they can learn to interact better with their peers within the world around them through martial arts.

He loves his students and is so proud of the people they have become. Charles could go on and on with example after example of his special needs students’ triumphs, but in the end, all that matters for him is that he and his instructors at Innovative Martial Arts Academy can make a positive difference in their lives.

For more information on Innovative Martial Arts Academy, please visit their website at www.triangledojo.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: I love having conversations with my son, and I thought I would share our latest conversation because I love the way he thinks. However that conversation turned into something else that was simply impressive. He wanted me to write his words down into an article for “Daddy’s magazine.” These are his own words about Christmas, and this is his first article titled “Christmas Through Innocent Eyes.” Harvey is autistic, has sensory processing disorder, and is only four-years-old. It also makes this honor so very special to be named the youngest journalist at The City Insight Magazine. I hope this warms your heart as much as it did mine. Seeing Christmas through such young and truly innocent eyes makes the holiday season even more magical. It taught me one important lesson – you are never too old to believe.

Welcome to my home, and come inside. You can play with anything you want but don’t touch the breakable stuff.

I want to tell a story about what Christmas means to me, and to children, and puppies and grown-ups and everyone in the world.

The first thing I think of is of Santa Claus. Santa looks like he has big whiskers and if you’re naughty, then he will give you a card to tell you to try to be good. He has a belt to hold his trousers up and he has a coat and a hat so he can look like Santa and he can stay warm.

I think Santa has a Christmas rocket or a Christmas plane so he can fly all around the world to give present. The sled is not fast enough. I also think Santa has a puppy and he is taking him out right now for a walk. He has the puppy because he got him from the North Pole General Store. He likes puppies and dogs and he can take care of them and keep them safe. The puppy’s name is Henry because I dream of Santa and I heard Santa say that to me in the dream.

Mrs. Claus is cooking some breakfast for Santa and her. I think she is making Christmas Tree Soup. It’s called Christmas Tree Soup because it’s like Spaghetti Christmas Tree soup which is super, super hot. So we need to cool it a little bit and you need spaghetti, meatballs, bananas, oranges, apples, and pumpkins to make it.

I think of the elves too. They help Santa make toys and fix toys. They have jingly bells on their hats. They check the list of naughty and nice children twice. I think they do this for Santa because the paper is too long with all the children’s’ names on it and it’s rolled up and it goes down to the floor when it’s not rolled. That’s too much for Santa to read.

Snow on Christmas is so cold and chilly and fun to play with. I like sledding and snowball fights. I think the snow comes from the clouds or the rain. Snow is important for children on Christmas to play with.

The reindeer are good and they are super, super special. They have antlers and they can guide Santa’s sleigh. They are nice to look at and Rudolph was not the favorite but he came to be the favorite.

I think the kids in the world like Christmas and other Christmas stuff like trees, decorations, pots to hold the trees, turkey, soup, chocolate, cookies, and milk, which Santa loves! You bake some cookies like sugar or chocolate chip and we get some milk. We put the milk and cookies on my learning desk and I do it to say thank you to Santa for the presents. I think he enjoys the cookies and milk because they are always gone in the morning.

I wish I can work with Santa in the Workshop so I can make toys for all the children in the world like trains, planes, snakes, globes that have snow in them with Santa and the Christmas tree… snow globes. I think I need to help sick children and go with them to the Doctor’s so that I can help them feel less sick and ask the Doctor what’s happening inside of them. Then I can get the supplies with the tools to help them so they can have a happy Christmas.

I want everyone to enjoy Christmas and be happy, safe, and sound.

This is a story of how helping hands for autistic individuals are available today. The word itself, autism, derives from the Greek word “autos,” meaning “self.” It was used in the early 1900s to describe the condition in which a person isolates themselves from social interaction. In 1943, child psychiatrist Dr. Leo Kanner, would publish a paper that recognizes children who were highly intelligent but displayed a need for being alone. Dr. Kanner later names their condition “early infantile autism.”

Once upon a time, autism was considered to be “childhood schizophrenia” and generally accepted to be a psychological disorder caused by emotionally distant mothers. Children with autism were discouraged from attending school, and grew up in the seclusion of their family homes.

Sometimes, children with autism were inappropriately institutionalized. People did not believe that these special children could grow up to have productive employment and lead fulfilling lives.

How We View Autism Today

Today, we recognize this condition as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); a group of developmental disabilities that can render an individual challenged in the areas of social interaction, communication, and repetitive or restricted behaviors. ASD is a brain disorder which is normally identified within the first three years of an infant’s life. ASD also comes in varying degrees of severity, which means that no two people will ever be the same.

It is a lifelong disorder that affects those at all stages of their life, and can also be combined with other disabilities such as Sensory Processing Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Those afflicted with this condition can seek help through autism therapy in the form of behavioral, occupational, physical, medical and dietary, language, and complementary therapy, such as those involving music or art.

Autism in North Carolina

Autism in North Carolina is prevalent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, in 2016, about one (1) in sixty-eight (68) eight (8)-year-old school children may be diagnosed with autism on a national level. 

In North Carolina, that number increases to about one (1) in fifty-eight (58). In North Carolina’s public schools, during the 2014-2015 school year, there were more than 16,000 students with autism enrolled in all 107 school districts; there are more than 65,000 individuals in North Carolina living with ASD.

Parents and individuals with ASD cannot get through these difficult moments in life alone. This is where support groups such as The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) come in.

The Autism Society of North Carolina

For more than 45 years, The Autism Society of North Carolina has made its sole mission to provide support and promote opportunities that enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families. Through continued support and education across North Carolina, ASNC continues to lead the way by holding your loved ones hand through their journey of attaining a better quality of life.

It was created by special parents who shared information, provided support to one another, and improved the lives of all children with autism in North Carolina. These parents were responsible for laying the groundwork for the services and support that families and individuals now enjoy.

Striving for Success

ASNC strives to provide skill-building services designed to increase the independent skills of someone with ASD. Whether at home or within the community, ASNC helps those prepare to interact in either location safely and confidently.

ASNC’s Employment Support department continues to help individuals with autism find and maintain employment, which is a key part of having a complete life. ASNC also offers camps, afterschool programs, social groups, respite, adult day programs, and supported living homes around North Carolina.

“For nearly 50 years the Autism Society of North Carolina has improved lives, supported families, and educated communities about the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We help tens of thousands of North Carolinians living with autism annually through a wide range of services. If you have questions about autism or need help, don’t hesitate to call 800-442-2762,” says David Laxton, Director of Communications of The Autism Society of North Carolina.

What is Available?

The 133-acre Camp Royall, outside of Pittsboro, is the nation’s oldest and largest camp for individuals with ASD. Camp Royall provides typical camp activities, in a structured environment to meet the needs of individuals with autism. Activities include Swimming, Arts and Crafts, Hiking, Hayrides and Boating.

ASNC also provides an unlimited amount of support to professionals such as doctors and teachers. By working with professionals, ASNC can increase the quality of care for those afflicted with ASD. ASNC’s licensed psychologists and certified behavioral analysts emphasize evidence-based best practices, early intervention and learning through an individual’s life as part of their specialized training.

The Goals of the ASNC

The goal, as ASNC underlines, is to increase the understanding and acceptance of individuals with ASD. The organization’s educational efforts have helped the State of North Carolina to have a lower average age of diagnosis than the nation as a whole.

Through education, comes support in the way of families. ASNC’s locally based Autism Resource Specialists will help find resources for families, assist with school issues, and provide further education to families through workshops.

There are more than 50 local chapters throughout North Carolina to provide this extended support and education to individuals and their families affected by autism. 

ASNC, in addition to their many community service activities, advocates for the needs of the autism community by forming and upholding valued relationships at the State Legislature and other policy-making bodies. 

The Annual Triangle Run/Walk for Autism

Recently, ASNC celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the annual Triangle Run/Walk for Autism. “This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism. From the first year and around 300 runners, the event has grown to 4,000+ participants stepping out to raise money and support the autism community. At the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism, families come together to celebrate and share information and the community learns more about autism while enjoying a fun-filled event. Whether you run, walk, donate, or volunteer, the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism has something for everyone,” reiterated Laxton.

For the 20th anniversary, the ASNC is encouraging past teams and participants to return back to the Run/Walk. They are also offering cash prizes of $250 to the overall winners (men’s and women’s) of the 5K race.

During these twenty years, the ASNC has raised over $2 million to support individuals with autism and their families through the event. They are also compiling video memories from past chairs of the event and team captains.

The ASNC will be offering an information exchange area at the event where people can learn more about the organization and others who serve the autism community. There will also be a kids play area as well, live music, and plenty of open space for people to enjoy themselves and celebrate the day.

Highlights of the Event

The event will include the following:

• 5K race (our competitive racers).
  • This is chip timed and certified.
  • It is also one of the events in the Second Empire Grand Prix series.
• 5K non-competitive event
  • This is for racers who want to do the full course, but not be timed.
• 1 Mile fun run
  • This is not officially timed and provides a good option for many of our teams who are walking and/or pushing strollers, pulling wagons, etc.
• Kid’s Dash
  • This is within Halifax Mall and provides kids under six (6) the opportunity to all be winners.

For Further Information

For more information about the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism, you can visit www.trianglerunwalkforautism.com.

The Triangle Run/Walk for Autism takes place on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 9:00 a.m., at Halifax Mall, 300 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603.

The Online Registration Deadline is Monday, October 8, at 8:00 a.m. After this date, registration will be $30.00 for the 5K Competitive, 5K Noncompetitive, and 1-Mile.

Additional information about the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism is located at www.trianglerunwalkforautism.com.

ASNC works diligently to directly improve the lives of individuals affected by autism, by providing advocacy, education, and services. For additional information on how the Autism Society of North Carolina can help the community, you can call 1-800-442-2762, 919-743-0204, or visit www.autismsociety-nc.org.