CHAPEL HILL - Any parent of an autistic child knows how challenging the condition can be. It requires patience, understanding and perseverance.

And those are the qualities that some local parents said teacher Lindsay Bedford has when they nominated her for the Teacher of the Year Award from the Autism Society of North Carolina.

"Things can change very quickly. My son can have 20 great days at school and then all of a sudden something changes and he can become very challenging," said Lisa Kaylie, whose son, Simon, 7, has been in Bedford's class at Ephesus Road Elementary School since 2008.

"Ms. Bedford is very calm about these changes, she keeps me informed about what is going on, she is open to any suggestions to improve things, and she is smart enough to be able to implement any necessary measures to get things on the right track," Kaylie said.

Kaylie is one of the parents who nominated Bedford for the award, which she received during the Annual Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Chapel Hill last April 24.

The award goes to a teacher in the state who has played a pivotal role in the lives and development of children with autism. David Laxton, the director of communications for the Autism Society of North Carolina, said there were seven other nominees this year.

"Mrs. Bedford's dedication to providing her students with the best possible educational experience and her willingness to go above and beyond made her an obvious choice for this award," Laxton said.

Bedford graduated from Elon University and came directly to Ephesus as a Primary (K-2) autism teacher five years ago. After her first year of college, Bedford worked as a counselor at Camp Royall, the summer camp program for the Autism Society of North Carolina.

"It was interesting," Bedford said. "I worked there for one summer, and felt like I understood autism."

Bedford said she strives to broaden opportunities for her students, both in her classroom and in her students' other classes. To have that work recognized by parents is very rewarding, she said.

"It was very generous and kind," she said. "It was very validating. The more you feel that people like what you're doing, the better you feel about it."

The parents who nominated Bedford say they wanted to recognize her for going above and beyond expectations.

"My son has made amazing progress in her classroom, and I know the other parents feel the same way," Kaylie said. "Ms. Bedford clearly cares about my child and our family... She is very open to helping out with problems I may be having with Simon at home. She reassures Simon that she cares about him even on his worst days, and even wrote him a letter that she mailed to our house over spring break telling him that she was excited to see him back at school when break was over."

Amy Fowler, another parent who nominated Bedford for the award, noted her sense of dedication and her overall skill in the classroom.

"In a situation that could easily become frustrating at times, she is always calm and collected," Fowler said. "She is organized, plans and prepares herself and her kids in advance, and yet she is able to problem solve children's individual needs and adjust her behavioral supports accordingly. We need many more teachers like her! She is a shining star."

Bedford said that she is grateful to have received the award, but said that she also gets much from her time in the classroom.

"Overall, I've learned a lot from my students - patience, dedication, to be persistent," she said.

Bedford said she would like to see a focus on growing awareness for autism spectrum disorders and for helping "students be seen as members of society with something to contribute."