News and Info
Autism Conference
Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
Come see us at the 27th Annual CARD Conference. We are planning some exciting things for our Annual Gathering! STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS!
Need to Register? CLICK HERE
Autism Day at the Capitol
Florida State Capitol Rotunda
Join the Autism Society of Florida at the Capitol Building at 400 Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399 on January 30, 2020 for
AUTISM RECOGNITION DAY!
SCHEDULE:
09:00am TRAINING
10:00am RALLY
10:30am GROUP PHOTO
10:45am LEGISLATOR VISITS
ADVOCATE FOR BETTER OUTCOMES. #ADAC
Education Advocacy
INTERACTIVE LIVE STREAM SERIES
Starting in 2020. FOR ASF MEMBERS
Join today to gain access to this amazing opportunity to engage in this interactive live stream series featuring Education Advocate, Stacey Hoaglund. Topics to be included: Important dates to remember, evaluations, eligibilities, writing measurable and meaningful goals, services, placement, accommodations, special considerations, behavior plans and more!
CLICK HERE to become a member.
Parent Support Group
Broward County
ACROSS THE SPECTRUM
PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
NEXT MEETING: February 4, 2020
Mailman Segal Center, Baudhuin Preschool
Room #2218, 7600 SW 36th Street, Davie, FL
From 7:00PM - 8:30 PM
This Broward County Parent Support Group offers a chance for parents of people on the autism spectrum to come together to discuss their challenges. Come and talk with other parents to get great advice from people who have traveled down the same road and share your experience with others. FOR MAP click here
Drowning is Preventable
December 5th @2:00pm
Did you know that drowning happens 160 times more in children with autism than in their typically developing peers? And did you know that winter months are VERY dangerous times for drownings to occur? Join us at REACH as we talk this Thursday, Dec 5, with Cassie McGovern from the McGovern Foundation about how to impact this horrific statistic. Tune in here @autismflorida Thursday at 2:00 PM
Autism Society of Florida
Advocates
The Autism Society of Florida attended the Miami Dade Legislative Delegation Hearing in December to advocate for House Bill 79 Elopement Protocol; Draft Bill 69642 Restraint and Seclusion/Cameras in Classrooms; and House Bill 2067 Drowning Prevention. Contact your legislators to let them know just how important it is to have their support.
Find your Representatives:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Find your Senators:
https://www.senate.gov/general/contacting.htm
Autism License Plate
Autism Services Grant
THANK YOU to the Autism Services Grant Council (Autism License Plate) for honoring us this year with a grant to provide water safety instruction and training on autism to water instructors throughout our state! We are excited to be making a difference in the drowning prevention of children and adults on the spectrum and GREATLY appreciate the support of the Council and from ALL of those who have autism license plates. If you don't have one, get one :)
https://myfloridaspecialtyplate.com/support-autism-programs.html
Hippocrates Health Institute Partnership
THANK YOU to Hippocrates Health Institute for partnering with the Autism Society of Florida. Your support will help us reach more families across Florida by fulfilling our mission to advocate for better outcomes for people with autism. HHI focusses on health and wellness for their guests in their beautiful West Palm Beach, FL setting.
MIND, BODY, SPIRIT. (561) 471-8876
Autism CARES Act
Reauthorization (2019)
YOUR ADVOCACY MATTERS!
President Trump signed #AutismCARES Act H.R. 1058 into law. In the last year, you have sent over 3,000 letters to Congress through our online Action Center specifically supporting Autism Cares, congratulations! This bill reauthorizes and improves the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, and Supports (CARES) Act for another five years. This law helps millions of children, youth, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities by providing important basic and applied research, interdisciplinary training of professionals, public education, and critical services and supports.
Tour de Force 4 Autism
For Adults with Autism
A HUGE WIN FOR EVERYONE!
#TourdeForce4Autism is an Autism Society of Florida event providing adults with autism the opportunity to tour a police station and learn about law enforcement. This program gives officers a better understanding of people with autism by having up close and personal interactions and receive first hand knowledge.
Special thanks to Broward Sheriff's Office
and Executive Captain Martin Hedelund
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION
Cameras in Classrooms
LET CAMERAS BE OUR VOICE
Florida has struggled with being able to guarantee the safety of our students. From the Panhandle to South Florida, evidence has surfaced this year as to just how vulnerable our children truly are.
The Autism Society of Florida has joined with other activists and organizations across the state to advocate for legislation requiring cameras in classrooms designated as “ESE classrooms” – separate classrooms for children with disabilities.
Visit our website for the latest information and please sign our petition. Click the hashtag below.
Student Elopement HB79
ASF is advocating for the advancement
of House Bill 79. Student Elopement; Requires public schools to create School Staff Assistance for Emergencies (SAFE) Team & school elopement plan; provides requirements for team & plan; requires & provides requirements for elopement quick reference guides for certain students; requires public schools to annually submit their plans to district school board. Engage with your legislators to encourage them to support this bill. Share with them how this effects your family and drive home the importance of this legislation.
Restraint and Seclusion
TAKE A STAND
Students in Florida are being restrained and secluded at alarming rates. ASF is working with legislators to implement mandatory guidelines for restraint and ban seclusion in the state of Florida.
When we send our children to school we assume they will be sage from abuse and neglect and treated with respect. Serious risks associated with the use of Restraint and Seclusion: Injury, Increased Aggression, Post Traumatic Stress.
Oriole Elementary
Resource Fair
Community Advocacy
At the recent Resource Fair at Oriole Elementary School the Autism Society of Florida was on hand to offer support and guidance to families of students on the autism spectrum. ASF reaches out into the community to provide information to assist people to be the best advocated they can for their loved ones and for themselves.