Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe we are about to start October with some much-appreciated cooler weather and the start of school under our belts. As if the pandemic wasn’t enough, several of our clients and friends weathered the drenching and damaging effects of Hurricane Sally. As Floridians, we are no strangers to hurricanes, but each one still leaves damage that we have to overcome. We hope everyone in the path of Hurricane Sally is getting the help they need. If you need assistance locating resources, please contact us at: [email protected].
We are continuing to serve our clients remotely in this time of social distancing and doing our best to reinvent the way we serve our clients and communities. As you will see in this newsletter, we have several new training opportunities, community resources, and insightful articles in our Consultant Corner. Don’t miss out on the upcoming events.
Be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook page that is constantly being updated with resources and information about upcoming online trainings. We just started doing short Facebook Live @ 5pm information sessions and will continue to do so throughout the fall.
We are regularly updating our COVID-19 Resource List on this Google Document. For ease of use, we have created a new tab on our website http://ph6.165.myftpupload.com that links directly to this COVID-19 resource.
In keeping with our shift to online training, the 28th Annual CARD Conference is going virtual in January 2021. Registration is open and we hope to see you all there! Please see the article below for more details.
We would like to acknowledge and share our gratitude with all of the educators in our 18 counties and all over the state and country who have put in countless hours to make the start of the 2020-21 school year happen. We have seen everyone step up and wear many hats: teacher, IT problem-solver, online presenter, Canvas master, and counselor. Parents, teachers, and students are all learning alongside each other how to navigate multiple online learning platforms and technology for both online learning as well as brick and mortar. We are ready and willing to team with our districts and families to help make this year successful.
One way we are honoring the great teachers who serve our students is by offering a brand-new Diana McLendon Excellence in Teaching Memorial Award. Diana was the Autism Spectrum Disorder Program Coordinator at the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, as well as the Liaison for all CARD Centers and Autism Navigator. Sadly, Diana lost her fight with Leukemia in December 2019. Please read more about this new award and share with the excellent teachers who have positively impacted your lives.
On a bittersweet note, we said goodbye to two staff members from our Tallahassee office, Megan Taber- intake coordinator and Taylor Fabrega- autism consultant in September. Both Megan and Taylor are moving on to new opportunities. We are proud of both of them for taking a leap and trying something new, but we will also miss them and all they did for FSU CARD. In addition, Dr. Chrissy Ogilvie in our Pensacola office is out on extended medical leave and has been since this summer. We are all sending Chrissy healing vibes and look forward to her return.
Unfortunately, CARD was one of the state agencies who had to cut our budget 6% due to the economic effects of COVID-19. This was not easy and means we will not be able to replace Megan and Taylor. We are now even shorter-staffed than we were before, so please be patient with us as the rest of the team picks up extra responsibilities. We will be relying on the generosity of our friends to help us build back up during these trying times. If you are able and so inclined, please visit our online giving page located HERE.
Please stay healthy and remember to follow the guidelines to stay safe: keep a safe social distance whenever possible, wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and disinfect surfaces often. Don’t forget to take a look at the resources on our COVID-19 document to help you and your loved ones understand why these precautions are necessary.
I hope you enjoy this Fall Edition of our newsletter and look forward to hearing your feedback on ways we are helping you and how we can improve.
Sincerely,
2021 CARD Conference Goes Virtual
Registration is now open for the 2021 Statewide CARD Conference — held virtually this year on January 15-17, 2021. The CARD Conference is the largest autism-related conference in the state of Florida, linking autism research with autism intervention for professionals, parents, and individuals with autism. With 55 sessions and over 72 presenters, this year’s conference promises something for everyone.
The Partnership for Effective Programs for Students with Autism (PEPSA) Pre-Conference Day for Educators is Friday, January 15. There is no charge for this day as the virtual fee is paid through the PEPSA grant.
Saturday and Sunday (January 16 and 17) offer a series of keynote presentations and breakout sessions. Some of the internationally recognized keynote speakers include Catherine Lord, Jessica Minahan, Christine Reeve, and Matt Savage. Conference participants will learn about current research findings and their implications, as well as practical strategies related to communication and social interventions, transition to adulthood, early intervention, and school/community inclusion.
The cost for the conference is $130 for those wishing to earn Continuing Education Units (CEU’s). CEU’s are available for APA, ASHA, BCBA, and OT in the state of Florida.
For those wishing to attend who do not need CEU’s, the cost is $75. Students and adults with ASD can attend all sessions for $45.
Please visit the link below for more information about registration, the complete schedule, and presenter biographies.
We hope you will join us in January!
Diana McLendon Excellence in Teaching Award
This award is being offered in the memory of Diana McLendon who lost her battle with Leukemia in December 2019. Diana was the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Program Coordinator for the Department of Education, the statewide Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) centers, Partnership for Effective Programs for Students with Autism (PEPSA), and Autism Navigator.
Making Connections: A Parents Series for Supporting Your Child with ASD
Week 1 – Where to start with social skills?
Join our weekly online series to learn ways to help your child learn the foundation skills of social skills. During the webinar, you are encouraged to ask questions, share information, celebrate successes and problem solve challenges specific to your particular situation, to the extent you are comfortable.
WHEN: Every Thursday in October; Beginning October 1st @11:00AM – 12:00PM CST/12:00PM – 1:00AM EST
WHERE: Will be held online via Zoom; Invitation will be provided after registration is complete.
Please register by clicking HERE<<<
Coping with COVID-19 While on the Spectrum
FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities is partnering with the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library System to provide a webinar on how COVID-19 affects families that have an individual on the autism spectrum and how to support them and help maintain their physical and mental health.
Topics will include how to reduce behavior challenges related to hygiene and PPE usage, talking about the pandemic, supporting pandemic-related educational challenges, and how to access available resources, including those offered by FSU CARD.
When: Thursday, October 1, 2020 @ 6pm EST/ 5pm CST
To join the webinar: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/7535277415
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2928493900585835/
***Posting on behalf of FSU College of Education***
- Provide basic Wi-Fi connection with ability to access Zoom
- Complete consent form and agree to have you child’s tutoring videoed for supervision purposes
- Collaborate with assigned tutor to determine tutoring schedule and focus
- Share appropriate school materials and information with tutor when applicable
- Provide a quiet spot for child to receive tutoring with parent/guardian available if needed
- Be available to communicate with tutor’s FSU supervisor if needed
***Posting on behalf of The LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library System***
***Posting on behalf of FSU Multidisciplinary Center***
***Posting of behalf of Arts for All Florida***
- Don’t We Already Do Inclusion?
- From Text Maps to Memory Caps: Differentiating Instruction in K-12 Classrooms
- Dwelling in Possibility: The Values, Beliefs, & Habits of Inclusive Schools
- The Problem with Behavior Problems: Supporting Students with Autism & Other Disabilities
- How to make interactive classroom materials that engage a variety of learners
- Ways to adapt the classroom for a variety of learners
Tips to Stay Organized and Create Independence
Law Enforcement Trainings
At one time or another, we all need the assistance of law enforcement to help us in a time of need. Sometimes this need involves someone who may be on the autism spectrum.
For the past three years, FSU CARD has been partnering with the Florida Sheriff’s Association to provide autism education to law enforcement as a part of their Crisis Intervention Training (CIT).
During CIT week, law enforcement spends a total of 40 hours learning about various local and state health and human service agencies and the populations they serve. More importantly, during this time, they learn about how to adapt their responses to these specific populations to better serve, support, and protect them and the community. During the autism segment, officers learn about all the characteristics of ASD, communication strategies, de-escalation techniques, and other precautions. This is demonstrated through viewing multiple videos, participating in hands-on activities, and relaying details of actual incidents where law enforcement has assisted someone with ASD. Another important aspect covered is what to do if someone with ASD were to go missing due to elopement or wandering. Highlighted are cases of those who’ve wandered who either had an unsuccessful outcome versus a successful outcome and how to increase the odds that the individual is found safe.
If anyone involved in law enforcement is interested in learning more about this training, please reach out to FSU CARD via our online training request form and we will be happy to discuss how we can help!
Hyperlink to our Training request form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form?EQBCT=9c3a992ad1cb4ecca2222dd65fadef50Taylor Fabrega’s Farewell Letter
By: Taylor Fabrega
Dear friends,
It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve my community through the esteemed Autism Institute in the College of Medicine. This decision is bittersweet as I am following my dream to move to New England for new opportunities and personal growth but will deeply miss the people that have made this work so fulfilling.
My hometown of Tallahassee and alma mater of Florida State University will always hold a special place in my heart. I would like to thank each and every member of the organization, including clients and collaborators, that have had such a profound impact on my life and career path. There were many lessons learned in addition to the true comradery I have been lucky to share throughout my time in this role.
It’s hard to believe that the middle school clients I first took on when beginning this job are now adults, with many now looking for their own jobs or starting school! I look forward to receiving updates from my soon-to-be former colleagues and “seeing” everyone at the annual CARD Conference online in January.
With immense gratitude,
Taylor Fabrega
Autism Consultant
Free access to the Autism Navigator® How-To Guide for Families
FSU CARD is pleased to continue to offer free access to our CARD families with young children not yet old enough to enroll in kindergarten to the online Autism Navigator® How-To Guide for Families course. This self-paced course will teach caregivers how to use strategies and supports in their everyday activities as well as provide them with access to a variety of “tools” to chart their child’s developmental growth and monitor meaningful outcomes. This online course is full of video libraries to illustrate how to promote learning and development of their child with ASD. For more information about the Autism Navigator® How-To Guide for Families, please visit their website . If you are a parent of a young child with FSU CARD and would like to request a code to the How-To Guide for Families, please click this link: https://firstwords.fsu.edu/card_h2g/sign_up.php
In addition to the online course, parents that enrolled in the How-To Guide for Families, will be invited to join a weekly meetup (a Guided Tour) where parents will have the opportunity interact with other families with similar issues from the convenience of their computer, phone or tablet. We hope to start the next CARD facilitated How-To Guided Tour as soon as 10 to 12 families express an interest in getting one started.
Baby Navigator Website
The Executive Director of FSU CARD and Director of the College of Medicine’s Autism Institute, Dr. Amy Wetherby, launched a new website, BabyNavigator.com, that walks parents through early childhood development and alerts them to early signs of autism.
Click on the article below for more information. HERE →
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 Tammy Dasher ([email protected]). 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.
Health & Nutrition
Emotional Eating in the Time of Coronavirus
Taken from the article: “The anxiety and worry about coronavirus can trigger eating. The public health restrictions limiting social contact could have the unintended consequence of increasing emotional eating. Typically, when you’re at work the opportunities to snack are limited but if you’re working from home the goodies in the refrigerator or pantry are only a few steps away. A two-pronged approach would help to minimize emotional eating. This entails reducing emotional distress and altering the environment to reduce the opportunities to snack.”
Last modified: August 4, 2021
