Florida Atlantic University has taken massive strides toward providing diagnosis, care, and resources regarding autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Most of these initiatives derive from the FAU Center for Autism & Related Disabilities, referred to more simply as the FAU CARD. The FAU CARD provides consulting, training, and support at no charge for those with autism and their families, as well as employers, professionals, and community representatives. Their main focus is to bridge needs with resources and behavioral health services for individuals with ASD. To strengthen this connection and raise autism awareness in various communities, these FAU CARD May events for autism present an array of beneficial resources for those with ASD.
At ABA Centers of Florida, we’re committed to expanding our network for autism treatment with initiatives similar to FAU CARD. Our mission is to make autism care more accessible for individuals who need it while accentuating the importance of early intervention. Any chance to provide valuable resources, news, and other information is a step in the right direction toward not only accepting autism in our communities but helping those who may not know their options. Check out these FAU CARD May events to learn how you can join the action.
Upcoming FAU CARD May Events for Autism
From professional development to Q&A’s and workshops, May has a little bit of everything in store regarding autism spectrum disorder information. Below are some of these events and what you can expect from each:
1. Law Enforcement and Autism Recognition, Response, and Risk Management Conference (May 16) – This free event is for law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical response, and criminal/juvenile justice professionals. Its focus is to help these professionals learn how to recognize the behavioral symptoms and characteristics of a child or adult with ASD and the high risks associated with the disorder. It also aims to teach basic response techniques to help these individuals and review strategies, current trends, and specialized tactics for addressing risks, citizen safety, and avoiding litigation.
This event will occur from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM in the Palm Beach State College Public Safety Complex. For more information, contact Jacqueline Wood at [email protected].
2. Understanding Your Preschooler’s IEP (May 17) – The Individualized Educational Program (IEP) process can be challenging for parents and caregivers. This event will analyze the details and information included in an IEP and train families with children in kindergarten and below on what they can expect in these programs.
This event will take place from 12 PM – 1:15 PM. Contact Kerry Wittel at [email protected] for additional information or assistance.
3. Okeechobee Families’ Quarterly Q&A (May 18) – This online meetup and Q&A helps support families in the Okeechobee area with children/family members on the spectrum. The informal Zoom chat discusses various autism-related topics, highlights local resources, and features other insights such as:
- Available support programs in schools
- Financial support options for such services
- More information about FAU CARD and how they support families
- Details about OT, speech, and ABA therapies for autism
Sign up to attend this online event from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM on May 18. For additional information, contact Beth Barney at [email protected].
4. Explicit Instruction for Students With Autism (May 18) – From 4 PM – 5 PM, this workshop will teach educators how to better work with students on the spectrum. These educators will gain tools and strategies to increase access and student engagement in instruction while highlighting other useful tips in schools for individuals with ASD. Contact Rachelle Tolliver at [email protected] or Luann Bertaux at [email protected] for any questions.
5. Early Childhood Resource Guide (May 19) – Need help with autism child care? This lunchtime presentation will teach participants about the Early Childhood Resource Guide and how it can help parents, caregivers, and educators better support the lives of those with ASD.
Visit the registration link for online training from 12 PM – 1 PM or contact Kelley Bastien at (561) 235–8412 with further questions.
6. Sensory Processing: Understanding the Sensory System (May 24) – As the name suggests, this training session will inform individuals about sensory integration and differentiating between various sensory input types. It will help recognize sensory dysfunction and offer examples of strategies to improve participation in daily tasks for those with ASD or other developmental issues.
Register now for this event from 12 PM – 1 PM. For more information, contact Kerry Wittel at [email protected].
7. Financial Planning for Adults With ASD (May 25) – For parents of children with autism, financial challenges can happen at any moment and become an emotional burden. In this Zoom webinar, financial advisor Kristen Smigelski will discuss financial planning options for your child’s future. As a former Chartered Special Needs Consultant, Kristen specializes in providing clients with skills and long-term considerations for children with special needs. These include estate planning, special needs trusts, tax deductions, life insurance, and more.
Log on from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM to gain valuable insights into the financial side of autism. Register here or contact Caitlin O’Brien-Fielding at [email protected].
8. African American Under-Representation Initiative (May 31) – Many studies show that African American and Black children are misidentified, delay-identified, and under-identified with ASD. Since children cannot receive access to evidence-based interventions without proper identification, this virtual meeting aims to highlight the need for change in the representation of these individuals.
Join the meeting at 10 AM to learn how you can help African American and Black children with ASD get the identification they need to grow academically and socially. Please RSVP to Chandra McKinney-Clarke at [email protected] or (561) 212–4930.
9. Raising Black African American Children With Autism (May 31) – This group is specifically designed for parents and guardians of Black and African American children with autism. It helps encourage, support, and provide resources related to autism within the Black and African American communities.
Please RSVP to Chandra McKinney-Clarke at [email protected] or (561) 212–4930.
10. Adult Hangouts – Any individual with ASD aged 18 or older is invited to these monthly online meetups to meet new people, find common interests, and develop friendships. For the Boca Raton meetup, contact Jacqueline Wood at (561) 221–7298 or [email protected].
Professional Development FAU CARD May Events for Autism
FAU CARD will also host various Professional Development seminars on various autism-related topics in May. Registration for these webinars begins May 1 and extends to May 31, with a limit of the first 500 participants who sign up. Some of these event topics include:
1. “If Only My Parents Knew…” – This session provides a retrospective view of what women with autism wished their parents had said or done to support their wellbeing. Hosted by Dori Zener, this seminar will combine clinical expertise with autistic women and highlight various interviews of these individuals speaking on their experiences about creating a supportive environment while growing up.
Some of the training objectives will include:
- Building a closer relationship between child and parent
- Learning what factors place females with autism at risk for traumatic experiences
- Analyzing how to protect them from these experiences
- Learning to foster a positive identity in a child with ASD
For more information, contact Mercedes Pagano at [email protected].
2. Enhancing Autistic Girls & Women’s Wellbeing With INVEST Counseling Framework – Women with autism are at a higher risk than males of developing mental health conditions for reasons such as missed or late diagnosis, a lifetime of masking, peer victimization, etc. This INVEST training aims to teach clinicians a framework to help women with autism identify meaningful therapeutic goals and understand their unique neurodivergent profile.
Training objectives include:
- Understanding the factors that impact mental health experiences for women and girls with autism
- Learning INVEST and how it can benefit women and girls with autism
- Building confidence, acceptance, and kindness, and strengthening a woman’s ability to navigate social and sensory environments
- Providing strengths-based person-centered counseling to preteen girls and women with autism.
For more information, contact Mercedes Pagano at [email protected].
3. Don’t Miss the Boat! – This webinar focuses on building mental wellness into primary education. It will teach educators how to effectively approach communication, socialization, hygiene, and school readiness skills for young children with ASD. The goal is to provide those with information so they can understand the complex challenges faced by children with ASD and how the stages of development can impact mental health difficulties. The name refers to how identifying and supporting mental health at a young age benefits these individuals.
Training objectives in this webinar include subjects such as:
- Reviewing core characteristics of autism
- Learning about prevalent co-occurring mental health diagnoses and neurobiological factors that affect mental health
- Considering classroom strategies to meet the needs of these students
- Discussing concepts and resources for teachers and caregivers to create a supportive environment for childhood mental health
For more information, contact Mercedes Pagano at [email protected].
Learn How ABA Centers of Florida Can Help Your Child with ASD
Aside from our ABA therapy services for individuals with ASD, ABA Centers of Florida also offers various resources and pertinent news for parents and caregivers. We will sponsor the 9th Annual Autism Leaders Breakfast on June 9 to further discuss these useful resources and how ABA therapy benefits children with ASD.
Contact us at (772) 773–1975 or visit our website to learn more about our services and other available resources.
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