Organization: PROVIDING AUTISM LINKS & SUPPORT INC
Mission: PALS mission is to optimize positive outcomes for individulals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), who are registered with the University of Central Florida's Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (UCF-CARD) as they learn, play, work and live in Orange, Osceola,
Activities: State Conference & Workshops: PALS provides the organization and financial support to offer a conference for parents, students, and professionals working with individuals with Autism. One of the major conferences that PALS supports is the Annual Statewide Conference which is a three day event. The number of attendees for this conference in the year 2019 was 1,218. . In conjunction with the above conference, PALS offer a comprehensive 2-day workshop called "The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2)." ADOS-2 has become the standard instrument for assessing autism and PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) across age, developmental level, and language skills. Participants learn how to diagnose provided credentials allow and others use as a tool to determine levels within professions. For the 2019, 56 individuals attended this training and received certification. .
Summer Camp Program: PALs provides support for Camp Two Can, which is a summer day camp program for children with and without ASD (Autistic Syndrome Disorder)in various Central Florida locations. Camp provides campers with natural environments to help build friendships, learn and use social skills, explore nature, make arts and crafts, participate in swimming/sports/games, and use various functional skills. Small groups of children are supervised by adults who are experienced in working with children with Autism. In 2019, the camp served a total of 148 participants with the ages between 5 and 22 in 2 Central Florida counties: Brevard county for total of 84 participants over 7 weeks, and Orange County for total of 64 participants over 4 weeks. Brevard also offered a Spring Camp break with a total of 19 attending over 2 weeks. .
Social Programs: PALS provides opportunities for interacton of individuals with autism diagnosis in general community settings with support of facilitators. These programs are separated by age appropriateness (ages) are called Aspire (+18), U13 (8-12), Teen Time (13-17) and AEIOU (2-7). Participants select to register for events at low to no cost such as bowling, picnics, bingo, corn mazes, miniature golf, karaoke, dancing, chat seessions, dinners, board game night, and trivia. These events are typically hosted at community vanues with PALS facilitators supporting individuals with autism to be successful in the community. . Family social events provide opportunities at low or no cost for individuals of all levels and ages, along with thier families to participate in fun events and network with other families within their counties. Events may include, but not limted to: Bowling, Picnics, Potluck Dinners with Bingo, Corn Mazes, Miniture Golf and Exercise programs. In 2019, PALS hosted 7 unique family events with 533 participants. . ASPIRE (Asperger's Syndrome Pursuing Interests, Recreation, and Entertainment) is a 18+ adult social community group typically meets 1- 2 times a week at various community vanues for social interactions hosted by PALS facilitators. Participants have a choice to select which activities they wish to participated in. In 2019, PALS offered 58 unique ASPIRE events with 551 participants. . Teen Time is a group for individuals with autism between the ages of 13-17 to practice social skill enhancement in a safe, welcoming, supportive environment with PALS facilitators as support. Teen time meets typicall during the summer months and or school breaks in the community at venues such as libraries, bowling alleys, miniature golf, and game days. In 2019, PALS hosted 24 unique Teen Time events with 117 participants. . U13 is a group of individiduals with autism between the ages of 8-12 to practice social skills enhancement in a safe, welcoming, supportive environment with PALS facilitators as support. In 2019 PALS hosted 4 events with 23 participants. . AEIOU (Autism Early Intervenion Opportunities and You) is for individuals ages 2-7 with a diagnosis of autism to practice social skill enhancement in a safe, welcoming, supportive environment with PALS facilitators that incorporate play and meeting new friends. In 2019, PALS provided 6 AEIOU events with 45 participants. . Community Collaboration Programs: PALS collaborates with local community venues offering sports/dance and exercise programs for typical peers by providing autism awareness training, basic behavioral intervention techniques and facilitator support during programs. Programs PALS collabrated with was XL Soccer, Judo, Special Olympics, and Martial Arts. PALS collaborated with XL soccer with 100 unique events and 1,140 participants; Judo collabration hosted 37 events and 270 participants; Special Olympics having 19 unique events with 171 participants; Martial arts had 4 unique events with a total of 16 participants. . Didactic Programs: Orientation workshop is provided in Spring and Fall for parents of children participating in PALS diadactic social enhancement programs to overview the program, expectations on parents and children for participation. For 2019, PALS hosted 2 program orientations and had 212 parents participated in Spring, and 189 in Fall. . Didactic Social Enhancement Programs are programs designed to teach social skills to individuals with autism spectrum disorders. These programs are active in the spring and fall for 16 weeks with 1.5-2 hour weekly sessions with instructors teaching social skills, cognitive emotional regulations, executive functioning skills, life skills and basic behavioral strategies, along with bullying and self-advocacy. Currently, PALS provides to age groups of 8-12 (Eitht-12) and 13-18 (TAG) year old group. In 2019, PALS provided 104 unique TAG sessions with a total of 987 participants and 49 Eight-12 sessions with 389 participants. TAG is hosted in Volusia, Seminole, Orange, Osceola and Lake counties. Eight-12 is hosted in Orange, Seminole, and Vokusia counties. .
NTEE category: Voluntary Health Associations & Medical Disciplines
Secondary category: Youth Development