"The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) provides support and assistance with the goal of building the capacity of individuals, families, schools, and communities to optimize the potential of people with autism and related disabilities."

Dear Friends,

We are all processing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene that struck the Big Bend area on September 26th. This is the 3rd hurricane to hit the Big Bend area in just over a year and it will be a long road to recovery. We want to do whatever we can to help our neighbors in need. The first article of the newsletter lists some of the local and federal agencies offering assistance for our families recovering from the storm.

As you know, 2024 is a big election year, and our friends over at Disability Rights Florida have put together an excellent collection of resources to assist voters with varying abilities. Be sure to click on the article below for more information. Also, we have several training opportunities coming up for adults, parents of elementary, middle, high school and young adults, as well as information on the 32nd Annual Statewide CARD Conference in Orlando Florida in January 2025. Check out all of the articles in our Features section for more information.

The Articles section includes information on tips for successful IEP meetings, a podcast featuring an autistic adult, and information on the Partnership for Effective Programs for Students with Autism (PEPSA) recruitment. Finally, the Client Corner section has all the links needed to request assistance from FSU CARD, information about Baby Navigator, and information about a free webinar on Autism and Nutrition in November 2024.

If there is anything FSU CARD can do to help support your family as you recover from the storm, please let us know. You can reach us by emailing autism@med.fsu.edu or calling 850-644-4367.

Sincerely,

Information about Hurricane Helene Assistance

Hurricane Helene has impacted so many in the Big Bend area. If you need assistance recovering after this devistating storm, please see the resources listed below:

Locate the closest FEMA Disaster Recovery Center

Request help from HOPE Florida

Request help from American Red Cross

Disaster Assistance Information for Hurricane Helene

Disability Rights Florida Voting Resources

As we approach the general election, it is more important than ever that people with disabilities know and understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to voting. Disability Rights has provided a concise and easy-to-understand voting primer that includes how to register, voter eligibility, and how to find your polling location.

Disability Rights Florida Voting Information

NextStep @ Endeavor Academy Graduation

By: Crystal Grey-Hewett

In July, NextStep Endeavor graduated its first cohort of adult students. These students have attended classes designed to help them develop their sense of independence and self-efficacy, and set them up to live their best lives. We are so proud to have been able to watch this agency and former FSU CARD staff member Tammy Dasher develop a program that will hopefully support the needs of adults with autism and other disabilities for generations to come. Congrats to the grads!

Information about NextStep

Diana McLendon Excellence in Teaching Memorial Award Nominations

By: Cathy Zenko

Do you know an outstanding teacher that you want to nominate for the annual Diana McLendon Excellence in Teaching Memorial Award? Please nominate your deserving candidate using the link below. Each nomination will be reviewed by the FSU CARD staff and one winner will be selected to represent the FSU CARD catchment area (18 counties). Each statewide CARD location will select a candidate to receive this prestigious award and winners will be announced and recognized at the Statewide CARD Conference in Orlando, FL in January 2025.

The recipients will receive a $500 stipend, plaque, and the opportunity to attend the Statewide CARD Conference in Orlando (expenses paid by CARD).

We need all nominations in by November 15, 2024.

Nominate a Teacher for Diana McLendon Excellence in Teaching Memorial Award

32nd Annual Statewide CARD Conference

By: Crystal Grey-Hewett

Registration is open for the 32nd Annual Statewide CARD Conference in Orlando, Florida on January 17-19, 2025. As always, sessions will focus on the most current information that benefits individuals with autism and their families. Scheduled speakers include former FSU CARD director Dr. Lindee Morgan and FSU CARD Consultant Crystal Grey-Hewett. Please stay tuned to our social media pages and emails for more information about scholarship opportunities.

32nd Annual CARD Conference Information

Fall Monday-Meet Ups for Adults

Join CARD Consultants for weekly one-hour virtual meet-ups to discuss topics affecting adults on the spectrum.

Parents' Place for Elementary School: Making the Holidays Bright!

Join us as we approach the holiday season with tips on "Making the Holidays Bright!". We will discuss how to identify and decrease stressors for individuals with autism, as well as use strategies to increase preparedness and joy this season.

Parents' Place for Middle and High School Students: Stress Management

Join us as we discuss stressors common to teens and young adults, and work on ways to help our children best manage stress and develop a healthy tendency toward resilience.

10 Tips for a Better IEP Meeting

With the new school year underway, it is a good time to be thinking about Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and any changes you want to make or new supports you want to try. This article and accompanying video from Understood.org has helpful tips for prepping for the meeting and make it as effective as possible.

Read IEP Article

Oh, That's Just My Autism Podcast

This quarter we are spotlighting the Oh, That's Just My Autism podcast series by Melissa Tacia. Tacia was diagnosed with ASD at age 41, and has been sharing her journey with listeners. The episodes are usually about 20-30 minutes long, and cover a variety of topics, such as relaxation, boundaries, and the management of comorbid ADHD symptoms.

Listen to Podcast

Partnership for Effective Programs for Students with Autism (PEPSA) Partner Recruitment

By: Lerena Fleck

The PEPSA Partnership Program is designed to provide training and technical assistance to educators, paraprofessionals, ESE administrators, or other school personnel (e.g., cafeteria staff, bus attendants, therapists, counselors, etc.) of school programs that aim to enhance the educational experience for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Each partner will be matched to a Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) professional who will mentor, provide support, resources, technical assistance, and training that is specific to the needs identified by the educator or school staff, to develop a plan for implementing innovative and effective practices within their school programs for students with ASD.

Why become a PEPSA Partner?

- Amazing professional development experience.

- Classroom support from CARD.

- Registration fee and travel stipend to offset costs of attending the Annual CARD Conference.

- Stipend upon the completion of the program to assist the educator or school leader with expenses associated with the Partnership Program.

- Certificate of Completion to those who successfully complete the program.

- Opportunities and support to present your work professionally.

***PEPSA website is down due to the Hurricane; the link below may not work for a few days.***

Become a PEPSA Partner

Click the Links Below to Request Assistance

Become a CARD Client

Technical Assistance Request

Training Request

Public Awareness Request

Client Annual Update Form

Baby Navigator Website

The Executive Director of FSU CARD and Director of the College of Medicine's Autism Institute, Dr. Amy Wetherby, launched the BabyNavigator.com website that walks parents through early childhood development and alerts them to early signs of autism. Please share this wonderful resource with anyone who is pregnant or has a baby 18 months old or younger.

Learn More About Baby Navigator

FREE Webinar on Autism Health and Nutrition

The Autism Research Institute will be offering a free webinar on Autism Health and Nutrition on November 13, 2024. It is open to parents and clinicians working with people with autism. Information on how to register is below.

Click to Learn More and Register

Share with CARD

FSU CARD is continuously looking for clients who would like to share their art, writing pieces, or success stories in our quarterly newsletter. If you are interested in sharing for our next issue, please send a message and image electronically to FSU CARD (autism@med.fsu.edu). All art or writing pieces should be titled. Select submissions will be chosen for each edition of the newsletter; artists and authors will be notified if their article is chosen.

Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove®
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

2312 Killearn Center Blvd. Building A
Tallahassee, FL | 32309 US

This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.