Event Details
Date/Time/Location
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
6:00 – 7:30PM
Online
Training Description
The session will deal with explaining the concept of death to your child with Autism. The concept of death can be a scary topic for most parents. Most don’t envision ever having to deal with such a topic with their child with Autism. However, every 16 minutes, someone in this country commits suicide. It is estimated that approximately 33,000 people die from suicide each year. This also doesn’t account for family members or friends at school that may die from various illnesses, accidents, or various tragedies. It is likely that your child will encounter the concept of death during their childhood and will need assistance understanding it better.
Training Objectives
- Parents will understand the rational for having difficult conversation on issues such as death with their child with Autism.
- Parents will identify behavioral factors that can occur when your child with Autism begins to deal with the death of family member or loved one.
- Parents will know when it is time to seek additional supports from their child’s school, their doctor or a school counselor.
Target Audience
Parents and caregivers
About the Presenter
Ron Malcolm, EdD
Assistant Director of Student Services and Special Education for a public school district and a Special Graduate Faculty member at the University of Kansas
Dr. Ronald I. Malcolm, EdD is an Assistant Director of Student Services and Special Education for a public school district and a Special Graduate Faculty member at the University of Kansas. He has Bachelor level Degrees in English and Special Education. He holds Master level Degrees in Counseling, Special Education and School Administration. His Doctorate Degree is from Northern Arizona University in Educational Leadership. His Post Graduate Degrees are in Positive Behavior Supports and Autism Spectrum Disorders. He has worked for the past 41 years with students between the ages of 3-21 with Autism and various medical needs in various school and community-based settings. He is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and Braille. He has been married for 40 years and has three children: Joel (34) banker, Chelsea (33) a child advocate for abused and neglected children, and Andrew (30) an Elementary Teacher of children with Autism and emotional disturbance. Dr. Malcolm and his wife Sherrie have been foster parents to 56 children, including those with Autism.
Accommodations
We strive to host accessible events that enable all individuals living in our catchment area* to engage fully. To request accommodations or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Dr. Danielle Liso at 352-265-2241 or card-training@ufl.edu.
*Counties Served by UF CARD: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, Union
If you live in a different county in Florida, find your CARD here.
Contact
Danielle Liso
card-training@ufl.edu
352-265-2241