Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, UF Gainesville

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.

05/22/2026

¡Por favor, acompáñenos! Se pueden conectar en cualquier momento a lo largo del día. No es necesario que asistan a todas las sesiones y no tendrán que aparecer ante la cámara.

Please join us! You can connect at any time throughout the day. It is not necessary to attend every session, and you will not have to appear on camera.

Únase a este evento virtual de un día que contará con especialistas en autismo hispanohablantes.
La traducción al inglés estará disponible por Zoom.

Viernes, 22 de mayo de 2026
8:45AM – 3:45PM
En línea
Detalles del Día de HISPA en español:
https://card.ufl.edu/2026/03/31/hispa-day-2026-sp/

Join us for this one-day virtual event featuring Spanish-speaking autism specialists.
English translation will be available through zoom.

Friday, May 22, 2026
8:45AM – 3:45PM
Online
HISPA Day Details in English:
https://card.ufl.edu/2026/04/01/hispa-day-2026-en/

05/21/2026

Congratulations to Premier Dance of Ocala on your recent win at the Encore Dance Competition and thank you for choosing UF CARD as the recipient of your award donation. We appreciate your support of the families and individuals we serve!

05/21/2026

Don’t miss your chance to present at Florida’s Statewide Autism Conference which will be held January 15-17, 2027 in Orlando! Call for papers closes June 1, 2026. Visit https://cardconference.info to submit your proposal.

05/20/2026

Sharing for researchers at Fielding Graduate University...

Do You Have a Non-Speaking Autistic Child?

You may be eligible to participate in a research study exploring how parents support early communication development in young autistic children.

What’s Involved
- Complete a short online parenting questionnaire (about 10 minutes)
- Record and securely upload two 10-minute videos of you playing naturally with your child at home

Why Participate
- Help researchers understand how caregiver insights and interactions shape communication in young autistic children
- Help researchers improve support for families like yours

Who Can Participate
-Parent or legal guardian is the child’s primary caregiver
-Parent is fluent in English
-Child is between 18 months and 5 years old
-Child has a documented autism diagnosis
-Child is non-speaking (does not consistently produce an average of at least 10 intelligible words or reliable word approximations per day)
- Family lives in the continental United States

Confidentiality & Voluntary Participation
- Participation is completely voluntary
- You may stop at any time without penalty
-All data will be de-identified and securely stored
- The study is approved by the Fielding Graduate University Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Interested?
Please contact the researcher directly:
Tanna Neufeld, MA, MS, CCC-SLP
Doctoral Candidate, Fielding Graduate University
Email: [email protected]
Call/Text (Google Voice): 303-736-9792
STUDY ID: 25-1105 NEUFELD Tanna (SOP-IECD Nov 2025)

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.

05/20/2026

Reminder: Part three of our Beyond Behaviors Book Study is tonight!

Beyond Behaviors Book Study

Wednesdays, May 6, 13, & 20, 2026
6:00 – 7:30PM
Online

Join us for a three-part discussion of Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioral Challenges by Mona Delahooke. A NEW approach to solving behavioral challenges. In Beyond Behaviors , internationally known pediatric psychologist, Dr. Mona Delahooke describes behaviors as the tip of the iceberg, important signals that we should address by seeking to understand a child’s individual differences in the context of relational safety. Featuring impactful worksheets and charts, this accessible book offers professionals, educators and parents tools and techniques to reduce behavioral challenges and promote psychological resilience and satisfying, secure relationships. Neuroscience-based effective tools and strategies for children labeled – Conduct Disorder – Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) – Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) – Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) – Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) – Anxiety & Depression – Autism & Developmental or Learning Differences And children who experience or have – Aggressive, confusing and unpredictable behaviors – Tantrums and meltdowns – Disconnection or shutdown – Adverse childhood experiences – Trauma and toxic stress

The first 20 registrants from our 14 county catchment area* will receive the book for free.
If you choose to purchase the book please be sure that it is the Second Edition which was released on March 3, 2026.

Details and link to registration:
https://card.ufl.edu/2026/04/29/beyond-behaviors-book-study/

05/15/2026

Únase a este evento virtual de un día que contará con especialistas en autismo hispanohablantes.
La traducción al inglés estará disponible por Zoom.

Viernes, 22 de mayo de 2026
8:45AM – 3:45PM
En línea
Detalles del Día de HISPA en español:
https://card.ufl.edu/2026/03/31/hispa-day-2026-sp/

Join us for this one-day virtual event featuring Spanish-speaking autism specialists.
English translation will be available through zoom.

Friday, May 22, 2026
8:45AM – 3:45PM
Online
HISPA Day Details in English:
https://card.ufl.edu/2026/04/01/hispa-day-2026-en/

05/13/2026

A quick reminder that part two of our Beyond Behaviors Book Study is tonight! Even if you weren’t able to join us last week, you’re still welcome to register and take part in the conversation.

Beyond Behaviors Book Study

Wednesdays, May 6, 13, & 20, 2026
6:00 – 7:30PM
Online

Join us for a three-part discussion of Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioral Challenges by Mona Delahooke. A NEW approach to solving behavioral challenges. In Beyond Behaviors , internationally known pediatric psychologist, Dr. Mona Delahooke describes behaviors as the tip of the iceberg, important signals that we should address by seeking to understand a child’s individual differences in the context of relational safety. Featuring impactful worksheets and charts, this accessible book offers professionals, educators and parents tools and techniques to reduce behavioral challenges and promote psychological resilience and satisfying, secure relationships. Neuroscience-based effective tools and strategies for children labeled – Conduct Disorder – Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) – Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) – Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) – Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) – Anxiety & Depression – Autism & Developmental or Learning Differences And children who experience or have – Aggressive, confusing and unpredictable behaviors – Tantrums and meltdowns – Disconnection or shutdown – Adverse childhood experiences – Trauma and toxic stress

The first 20 registrants from our 14 county catchment area* will receive the book for free.
If you choose to purchase the book please be sure that it is the Second Edition which was released on March 3, 2026.

Details and link to registration:
https://card.ufl.edu/2026/04/29/beyond-behaviors-book-study/