6/16/20 – 7/21/20
Autism Caregiver Training
UF CARD’s Autism Caregiver Training Initiative is a 6-session training for parents, grandparents, and family members of children (2-18 years old) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or a related disorder. The 90-min sessions will be offered ONLINE via Zoom on Tuesday mornings from 8:30 -10am. Schedule: 6/16/20 Social Communication; 6/23/20 Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors; 6/30/20 Supports & Services; 7/7/20 Evidence-based Practices; 7/14/20 Scholarships and Waiver Programs; 7/21/20 Safety Discover ways to: Address core-features of ASD; Promote learning; Keep your child safe Learn about: Therapies; Advocacy; Supports and services; Parent support and self-care
MONTHLY
Housing Forum
Please join us ONLINE for a Housing Discussion of community needs and help us plan for further residential support explorations. Moving out of the family home is one of the biggest milestones in a person’s life. For those with autism and related disabilities, this can be a long and effortful process. Determining the type of physical home as well as necessary support services can be complicated, leaving some families unsure of where to start, while others may have started the process and await a feasible plan to move forward. We hope that these meetings will assist you and your family in planning for this important event and help you gain a better understanding of the housing and residential supports available, including learning a great deal from each other to make a safe, healthy, and happy home.
WEEKLY
MyFriends: Virtual Meet and Greet
MyFriends provides positive, welcoming social opportunities for adults with ASD where they can meet and make friends.To join MyFriends you must: Be a UF-CARD constituent; Be 18 years or older; and contact Ann-Marie Orlando. Weekly ONLINE meetings on Mondays at 12PM
WEEKLY
Parent Support Group
The purpose of these meetings is for parents to have some time to relax, talk, and share about our children and experiences. Please come join us! Please contact Margie Garlin if you are interested in attending. Weekly ONLINE meetings on alternating Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings
MONTHLY
Support Group for Adults on the Spectrum
Join us ONLINE via Zoom for our monthly support group where we will talk about how to manage daily life. Parents are also welcome to join in. Meetings are held on the first Friday of each month at 1PM.
Annual Conferences and Fundraisers
CARD Hosted
CARD Statewide Conference
The purpose of the annual conference is to provide information on state-of-the-art practices in areas that promote best practices in education, early intervention, and quality community based life-styles for individuals with autism, deaf-blindness, and related disabilities.
Stomp the Swamp for Autism Fundraiser
This fun fitness event is held at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Participants can run or walk “stadiums” or run/walk the inner loop of the stadium. Prizes are offered to the participants in each category with the best time.
Autism in the Arts
Join us to celebrate the unique artistic and performance talents of individuals on the autism spectrum. Participants will see unique artwork, meet the artists, watch live performances, and enjoy a reception with refreshments at this free event. Enjoy an evening with painters, photographers, crafters, singers, actors, musicians, comedians, and much more. A link will be posted below once information about this year’s event is available.
Autism and UF
This 2-day conference consists of a series of sessions on a variety of topics related to current research and intervention in autism spectrum disorder. Many sessions will be presented by UF faculty and staff working in the field of autism spectrum disorder. A link will be posted below once information about this year’s event is available.
Events Hosted by Other Groups
The Family Cafe
The Annual Family Cafe hosts an annual three-day conference for individuals with disabilities and their family members each June. Features include individual breakout sessions, exhibit hall with vendors, special events including The Governors’ Summit on Disabilities, exposure to a wide range of public and private resources, networking with other families, and access to policy-making officials. There is no registration fee for individuals with disabilities and their family members.
