Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, UF Gainesville

10/16/2026

Celebrating Autism in the Arts 2026

Join us to celebrate the unique artistic and performance talents of individuals on the autism spectrum. Enjoy an afternoon with painters, photographers, crafters, singers, actors, musicians, and much more at this FREE event.
Featured Artist: Mikey Petrossian

Sunday, November 8, 2026
1:00PM – 4:00PM

Congregation B’nai Israel
3830 NW 16th Blvd
Gainesville, FL 32605

10/16/2026

At UF CARD, we have the privilege of seeing Linda's dedication firsthand. Her commitment to helping families navigate the path to diagnosis and services makes a meaningful difference every day. We are excited to see her excel in the MPH program. Congratulations, Linda!

10/13/2026

Sharing for the UF Health Division of Psychology Springhill...

Neurodivergent Discoveries: Embracing Your Brain Style

This Group Therapy to provide supportive space for young adults who were recently diagnosed with ASD to better understand their neurodivergent brain style, explore common experiences associated with ASD, and learn practical strategies for navigating everyday challenges. We will be identifying personal strengths, challenges, and patterns, learning and practicing skills drawn from CBT, DBT, and ACT, and identifying resources and supports that fit their individual needs.

We will meet for 8 sessions starting October 28, 2026 (Wednesday) at 4pm in UF Division of Psychology Springhill. Space is limited so please call 352-265-4357 for inquiry - ask for Tim Perez for this specific group. We plan to conduct our initial intake this week and next.

Please note: UF CARD provides information, resources, and referrals as a service to individuals with autism, their families, and service providers. Listing resources, providers, therapeutic approaches, research studies, or products does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by UF CARD.

10/07/2026

Please join us online at noon today for Session 3: Communication, part 1!

Behavior Strategies that Work Series

Join us for this six-part series focusing on understanding human behavior. Learn how to predict and prevent behavior, how to teach new, appropriate behaviors, and how to reward positive behavior.

Session 1: Behavior Basics – Sept 2
Session 2: Prevention Strategies – Sept 16
Session 3: Communication, part 1 – Oct 7
Session 4: Communication, part 2 – Oct 21
Session 5: Teaching Strategies – Nov 4
Session 6: Reinforcement Strategies – Nov 18
12:00PM – 1:00PM
Online

Details and registration: https://card.ufl.edu/2026/06/15/behavior-strategies-that-work-series/

10/02/2026

Join us for the 34th Annual Statewide Autism Conference, January 15–17, 2027, at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center in Orlando.

This three-day conference features more than 50 sessions with experts in education, social services, mental health, medicine, health professions, and research, along with individuals sharing lived experiences. Attendees will have opportunities to learn, connect, and gain information and resources to help improve the lives of autistic individuals.

Unfortunately, Facebook has just started limiting the number of links we can share in posts and comments to two per month. Please use the website link in our bio and search “34th” to find more details about the conference. Thanks!

10/02/2026

Sharing from the @ Family Care Council Area 4...

Join Family Care Council Area 4 on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at the Schultz Center in Jacksonville for a full day focused on helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families better understand and navigate the systems that support them.

This year’s conference will feature state agencies, family and self-advocate voices, educational sessions, community resources, and opportunities to ask questions and connect directly with the people behind the programs and services families rely on.

Purchase your ticket by October 5 to reserve your lunch and meal selection. After October 5, attendees may still register onsite at no cost, but lunch will not be included.

Event Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-connecting-the-dots-conference-tickets-1492168619509

Please note: UF CARD provides information, resources, and referrals as a service to individuals with autism, their families, and service providers. Listing resources, providers, therapeutic approaches, research studies, or products does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by UF CARD.

09/23/2026

Executive Function in Real Life: Supporting Regulation, Relationships, and Flexibility in Autistic Kids

Thursdays
November 5, 12, and 19, 2026
4:30 – 5:30PM
Online

Session 1: Regulation Before Reasoning
Before children can problem-solve, cooperate, or “make a better choice,” they need access to regulation. In this session, participants will learn why regulation is the foundation for executive function and why dysregulated autistic children may look defiant, avoidant, shut down, silly, argumentative, or “not listening”. Gabriele will introduce practical co-regulation strategies that help adults meet children where they are before expecting reasoning, flexibility, or compliance.

Session 2: Social Skills and How They “Play” with Executive Function
Social situations place enormous demands on executive function. Conversation, play, peer conflict, group work, and repair all require impulse control, working memory, perspective-taking, cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and timing. In this session, participants will explore how social demands can overload autistic children and how adults can reduce pressure while still supporting connection, communication, repair, and self-advocacy. The focus will be on helping children build social capacity without turning every interaction into a performance review.

Session 3: From Rigidity to Flexibility
Rigidity is often misunderstood as stubbornness, when it may actually reflect stress, uncertainty, sensory overload, anxiety, or the heavy executive function demands of change. In this session, participants will learn how to recognize common flexibility challenges. Gabriele will also share concrete tools to help children feel safer, more prepared, and more able to respond flexibly over time.

Unfortunately, Facebook has just started limiting the number of links we can share in posts and comments to two per month. Please use the website link in our bio and search “executive” to find more details and the registration link for this training. Thanks!

09/23/2026

Count on it! Strategies to Teach Math Skills to Students with ASD

Tuesday, October 27, 2026
4:30 – 5:30PM
Online

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) bring unique strengths and learning needs to the mathematics classroom. This engaging session will explore common challenges that students with ASD may experience when developing mathematical concepts and skills, while highlighting practical, evidence-based strategies educators can use to support meaningful learning. Participants will gain actionable approaches for creating structured, accessible, and engaging mathematics instruction that builds understanding, promotes independence, and supports student success.

Details & registration:
https://card.ufl.edu/2026/09/20/count-on-it-strategies-to-teach-math-skills-to-students-with-asd/

09/23/2026

All About the UNF USoar Program

Tuesday, October 20, 2026
6:30 – 7:30PM
Online

The mission of USoar is to empower students with intellectual disabilities, fostering their academic, social, and professional growth in a supportive environment. To accomplish this, USoar provides comprehensive employment and independence education, training and experiences to students with intellectual disabilities at UNF. Learn how USoar at UNF can help you soar into your future! During this virtual Information session, you will learn about USoar, its program structure, student selection process and guidelines, and next steps for anyone interested in applying for the 2027 academic year. Prospective students are encouraged to participate with at least one parent or legal guardian. Additionally, education and related service providers who support individuals with intellectual disabilities are encouraged to register for this session. There will be time allotted to answer any admission and program related questions.

Details & registration: https://card.ufl.edu/2026/09/21/all-about-the-unf-usoar-program/

09/21/2026

Join us online this afternoon to learn about the UCLA PEERS® Curriculum for School-Based Professionals!

The UCLA PEERS® Curriculum for School-Based Professionals

Monday, September 21, 2026
4:00PM – 5:30PM
Online

Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational skills PEERS® for School-Based Professionals is an evidence-based treatment developed by UCLA to teach neurodivergent adolescents how to make and keep friends. Topics that are addressed over the course of treatment include: conversational skills, finding common interests, reciprocal conversation, nonverbal communication, electronic communication, safety, choosing friends, extracurricular activities, appropriate use of humor, get-togethers, good sportsmanship, peer rejection, teasing & bullying, changing a bad reputation, and peer conflict. This presentation will provide an overview of the PEERS® for School-Based Professionals model, the research supporting its efficacy, and the recommended formats for utilizing this program in educational settings.

Details and registration: https://card.ufl.edu/2026/06/13/the-ucla-peers-curriculum-for-school-based-professionals/