Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, UF Gainesville

07/16/2026

Awareness First: Communication and Boundaries in Relationships

Tuesday, August 18, 2026
6:30PM – 8:00PM
Online

Designed with autistic adults in mind and open to anyone interested, this interactive session explores practical strategies for building healthy relationships through effective communication and clear boundaries. Participants will gain tools to strengthen connections, communicate with confidence, and build relationships based on respect and understanding.

Details and link to registration:
https://card.ufl.edu/2026/07/16/awareness-first

07/15/2026

Understanding Accommodations

Monday, August 31, 2026
6:00PM – 7:30PM
Online

The purpose of this workshop is to help parents and families learn how accommodations meet the varied learning needs of students with disabilities. Accommodations are changes that can be made to the way students are expected to learn and demonstrate what they have learned. When appropriate accommodations are made, expectations for what students will learn do not have to change. In most cases, students with disabilities can achieve the same outcomes as other students in the class. We will be discussing the 4 areas of accommodations as well as examples of each.

Details and link to registration:
https://card.ufl.edu/2026/06/17/understanding-accommodations

07/15/2026

ESE 101

Monday, August 24, 2026
6:00PM – 7:30PM
Online

The purpose of the workshop is to provide information, resources, and support to parents and families of students with disabilities. Participants will learn about the purpose of Exceptional Student Education (ESE), how a child becomes eligible for ESE Services, the types of services that are provided through an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), and next steps for postsecondary education.

Details and link to registration:
https://card.ufl.edu/2026/06/17/ese-101

07/03/2026

UF Lastinger Center for Learning’s New Worlds Reading team has partnered with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) to study the connection between literacy, nutrition and nutrition security with Florida families.

Books & Cooks is a FREE 12-week in-person and online literacy and nutrition program. Weekly sessions help families support enjoyment of reading, healthy eating, and family connection through fun, hands-on activities.

Throughout the program, participants share their experiences in a research study designed to measure the impact of Books & Cooks and learn about what kind of resources best serve Florida families. The program is delivered in the Fall and Spring each academic year.

Why participate?
Each week, participating families receive a book, reading and nutrition activities, childcare, dinner, and fresh fruits and vegetables for free.

Who is eligible?
Families in the following Florida counties are eligible:
Alachua
Broward
Clay
Duval
Franklin
Gadsden
Hillsborough
Leon
Nassau
Polk
Wakulla
Priority for enrollment will be given to New Worlds Reading families.

Learn More
To learn more about participating in the Books & Cooks program, email [email protected]

To learn more about the Books & Cooks research study ( ), contact:
David Diehl, PhD, Associate Professor
[email protected]
(352) 273-3526

To learn more about New Worlds Reading, visit newworldsreading.com.

Read more about the program in this UF News article: https://news.ufl.edu/2026/07/books-and-cooks-program/

The UF Books & Cooks literacy and nutrition program is expanding to more counties and will include information on Type 2 diabetes prevention.

07/03/2026

06/25/2026

Sharing for the Gainesville Circus Center...

This week our show is Sensory Friendly! The lights are brighter and the sound is softer to support comfort for sensitive individuals, including children and neurodivergent attendees. Here you are free to be yourself, come check it out!

Beat the afternoon heat and run away with the circus!
Join us every Friday at 2:30 PM for our Circus Camp Showcases June 12 - July 24, where our talented campers take center ring to share the amazing skills they've learned throughout the week.
Bring the whole family for an afternoon of laughter, excitement, and circus magic!
Adults: $5Kids
5 & under: FREE
Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-camp-showcase-tickets-1990974081072
See you there!

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.

06/24/2026

Looking for a career opportunity in the semiconductor industry?
Unlock your future in microelectronics!

The University of Florida is offering an 8-week hybrid training program and certificate in advanced packaging and physical assurance, designed specifically for autistic students. All travel costs will be covered by the University of Florida.

During the program, you will:
- Receive one-on-one mentorship from industry professionals at Intel, Micron, AMD, and others.
- Gain hands-on training in cutting-edge microelectronics.
- Become eligible for a Summer 2027 internship with a $10,000 stipend.

If you are an autistic student in a STEM field or hold an AA or BS degree in a relevant area, we encourage you to apply.
Spots are limited—apply now!
Website: https://www.pathprogramuf.com

Please direct all questions to:
Hyo Kang | Assistant Professor
Digital Worlds Institute
University of Florida
[email protected]

Read about the program in this University of Florida News article:
https://news.ufl.edu/2026/06/training-autistic-adults/

Please share!
FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
UCF CARD - Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
Florida Atlantic Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
UF Health Center for Autism and Related Disabilities - Jacksonville UM-NSU CARD
CARD-USF
UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
UF Digital Worlds Institute
University of Florida College of Education
UF Department of Psychiatry

UF’s “PATHS” program trains autistic students for semiconductor manufacturing with virtual reality and custom tools.  

06/05/2026

Sharing this event that is happening today in Gainesville. Stop by the our table and say hi to Linda!

Join us for a FREE community event designed to connect individuals with disabilities, families, and caregivers to essential resources, services, and opportunities across all stages of life.
Whether you’re navigating early childhood, school transitions, adulthood, or beyond—this expo is for YOU!

Friday, June 5th, 2026
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Springhill Church
120 SE Williston Rd, Gainesville, FL 32641

- Open to all ages and abilities
- Meet local agencies, service providers, and community partners
- Learn about supports for education, health, employment, independence, and more

06/03/2026

Registration is open for the Autism & UF Conference 2026!

The Autism & UF Conference will be held on July 23 & 24, 2026 at the Best Western Gateway Grand in Gainesville, Florida. Special hotel room rates will be available.

This free two-day conference consists of a series of sessions on a variety of topics related to current research and intervention in autism spectrum disorder. Many sessions will be presented by UF faculty and staff working in the field of autism spectrum disorder.

Please visit the Autism & UF Conference webpage for complete details. https://card.ufl.edu/events/autism-uf-conference-2026/

06/03/2026

Sharing for researchers at the Behavior Analysis Research Clinic at the University of Florida...

Hair Grooming Study
We are recruiting participants for a study aimed to increase cooperation with hair grooming procedures for Black and mixed-race children with autism. Black/African American children have been historically underrepresented in this work, and thus we aim to further assess the appropriateness of these procedures to this population. Participants are a good fit if they engage in minimal challenging behavior and/or do not cooperate with hygiene procedures. If you have any additional questions, please contact the Principal Investigator (Janae’ Pendergrass) via email .[email protected].
Study ID: IRB202301797

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.