Autism and Family Lab

04/17/2026

Reminder: FAMILY FUN DAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED

🚨 Family Fun Day Update 🚨

Our Family Fun Day has been postponed. 💙

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to sharing a new date soon. Stay tuned!

04/09/2026

🚨 Family Fun Day Update 🚨

Our Family Fun Day has been postponed. 💙

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to sharing a new date soon. Stay tuned!

04/08/2026

Join OIDD at the South Carolina State Museum Accessibility Morning this Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 9 am to 11 am. Meet the Mouse from the children's book series, If You Give A Mouse a Cookie. Explore the wonderful galleries and meet community resource partners as part of this family-friendly event.

Accessibility Morning Schedule:
9-10 am - Community Resource Partners present (1st Floor - Carolina Gallery)
9-11 am - Sensory Room available (2nd Floor - Huger St. Room)

9:45am - Sensory Friendly 4D Theater Show: Sea Lions
*ASL interpreter present*
10:30am - Storytime and meet-and-greet with the Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Books! (1st floor NASA Gallery)
*ASL interpreter present*
11 am - Official event is over, though guests are welcome to stick around!

04/08/2026

Celebrate Autism Awareness Month with OIDD and the Columbia Fireflies at the third annual Sensory Safe Sunday at Segra Park; a night where the ballpark becomes a sensory safe environment for those with sensitivities by turning down the volume, limiting sound effects and loud noises, and create a sensory play zone.

Opening week also concludes with the first Sunday Funday of the season with not one, but two post-game activities for all to enjoy.
Post-game, fans will be invited onto the field to meet the team and received autographs from all the players. After autographs, children are invited to stick around for post-game Kids Run the Bases presented by Bang Back Pinball Lounge.

⚾️

04/08/2026

🚨🚨🚨🚨POSTPONED 🚨🚨🚨🚨

🎉 Military Autism Family Fun Day 🎉

Join us for a day of connection, community, and fun for military-connected families raising children with autism.

📅 April 18, 2026
⏰ 11 AM – 3 PM
📍 Alpine Lodge, Fort Jackson

✨ Sensory-friendly & drop-in
👨‍👩‍👧 Caregivers must remain with children

Enjoy crafts, games, activities, and access to community resources in a welcoming environment.

👉 RSVP: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=GUsqSzXRDkKLsrHNI4mYzOx2zBTnFzJFoK1Lh4WpOoVUNkxYUjA3SlRSNFVXQUg1OUkzODhPOEE4NC4u&route=shorturl

Hosted by the Autism Families and Communities Lab

🔗 www.asdfamresearch.com

04/01/2026

🎉 Military Autism Family Fun Day 🎉

Join us for a day of connection, community, and fun for military-connected families raising children with autism.

📅 April 18, 2026
⏰ 11 AM – 3 PM
📍 Alpine Lodge, Fort Jackson

✨ Sensory-friendly & drop-in
👨‍👩‍👧 Caregivers must remain with children

Enjoy crafts, games, activities, and access to community resources in a welcoming environment.

👉 RSVP: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=GUsqSzXRDkKLsrHNI4mYzOx2zBTnFzJFoK1Lh4WpOoVUNkxYUjA3SlRSNFVXQUg1OUkzODhPOEE4NC4u&route=shorturl

Hosted by the Autism Families and Communities Lab

🔗 www.asdfamresearch.com

03/25/2026

Sharing for our friends over at the Carolina Autism & Neurodevelopment Research Center💙

They’re offering a Respite Care Service designed to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for neurodivergent individuals and their siblings. This is such an amazing opportunity for families to get trusted support while their children enjoy a fun and welcoming space!

🗓 Fridays from 3–7pm at USC
📍 Fall & Spring dates available
📋 Sign up here: https://redcap.link/lsopm9ue

If you or someone you know could benefit from this, be sure to check it out and share!

03/21/2026

🌟🧦🌍 Happy World Down Syndrome Day! 🌍🧦🌟

Today, we celebrate the uniqueness, abilities, and contributions of individuals with Down syndrome around the world. Let's take this opportunity to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and advocate for the rights of people with Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome Fact: Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs when there is an extra copy of chromosome 21. People with Down syndrome have varying abilities and can lead fulfilling lives with the right support and opportunities.

Let's spread love, acceptance, and understanding today and every day. Embrace differences, celebrate diversity, and remember that everyone deserves respect, kindness, and equality.

💛Happy World Down Syndrome Day💙

03/19/2026

🌍🌟 Happy World Social Work Day! 🌟🌍

Today, we celebrate and honor the incredible dedication and passion of all social workers around the world. Special shout out to those that have worked with the Autism and Family Lab

Your tireless efforts in empowering individuals, families, and communities never went unnoticed. Thank you for making a difference every day! 🙌💙

03/08/2026

Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate a special kind of strength — the strength of autism moms across the world. 💜

To the mothers who advocate fiercely, love endlessly, research tirelessly, and show up every single day — even on the hard days — this is for you.

You are translators of a world that doesn’t always understand.You are protectors of beautiful, unique minds.You are comfort in moments of overwhelm and the loudest cheerleaders for every milestone — big or small.

Your motherhood may look different, but your love is extraordinary. The patience you build, the resilience you carry, and the compassion you grow changes not only your children’s lives, but the world around you.

Today we honor your courage.We honor your exhaustion.We honor your unwavering love.

You are seen. You are valued. You are powerful beyond measure.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the autism mommas making the world more inclusive, one day at a time. 🌷✨

03/02/2026

🌍 Happy World Social Work Month! 💙

This month, we proudly celebrate the dedicated social workers who advocate, empower, and walk alongside individuals and families every single day.

At the Autism and Family Lab, we are especially grateful for social workers who support autistic individuals and their families through research, clinical services, community partnerships, and systems change. Your commitment to equity, compassion, and evidence-based practice makes a lasting difference in the lives of so many.

Social work is more than a profession — it’s a calling rooted in service, dignity, and social justice. Thank you for the countless ways you strengthen families and build more inclusive communities.

Join us in celebrating the impact of social workers this month and beyond! 💙