What's Happening in ESE in April
2025
Important Dates
April 2: No Early Release
April 7: 3rd 9 weeks Report Cards
April 28: Student/Teacher Holiday
April 29: 4th 9 weeks Progress Reports
2025 Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Parent Survey
The Florida Department of Education Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Parent Survey is open to all parents of children with an individual educational plan (IEP) receiving ESE services from preschool through grade 12. It is not intended for parents of students receiving only gifted services through an educational plan (EP). Students with disabilities aged 18 or older may complete this survey. The survey is available for completion until June 30, 2025. If you have more than one child with an IEP, please complete one survey for each child. The survey can be accessed at 2025 ESE Parent Survey
You can also access the survey using the QR code below!
Parent Trainings and Workshops
April 2: Lunch and Learn hosted by Family Network on Disabilities at 11:30 AM via Zoom. The topic will be "Autism Awareness". For this event UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) will be a special guest. In order to attend this workshop, you must first register to receive the Zoom link. Use the following link to register...Lunch and Learn Zoom Registration Link
April 2: FDLRS will be presenting an interactive LessonPix Parent Workshop from 4:00 PM-5:30 PM. This will be an in-person event at St. Cloud Elementary located at 2701 Budinger Avenue, St. Cloud, FL, 34769. All participants will receive a free 1-year subscription to LessonPix. As a result, space is limited to the first 20 participants/families to register. Please use the following link to register: RSVP: LessonPix In- Person Parent Training on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 4:00 PM
April 16: Afternoon Insights hosted by Family Network on Disabilities at 4:30 PM via Zoom. The topic with be "Transition IEP & Moving Forward". The Transition IEP is the most important part when it comes to helping youth with disabilities learn how to successfully transition from high school to post-secondary opportunities. This workshop helps to teach everyone exactly how to make the most of the TIEP, and how to best work with youth with disabilities to make sure they have the tools and information to fulfill their post-secondary goals. In order to attend this workshop, you must first register to receive the Zoom link. Use the following link to register...
.Afternoon Insights Zoom Registration Link
All workshops and events are open to all parents and families throughout the district!
UCF CARD Parent Education Seminars, Support Groups, PAL Events, and More
CARD=Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
Parent Education Seminars
Tuesday Evenings 3/25 through 4/29
6:30 PM ZOOM
Loving Push for Elementary Parents
In this “must read” book, Dr. Temple Grandin partners with psychologist and autism specialist, Dr. Debra Moore, to outline the “must-dos” for parents to help their child with autism build hope, motivation, and success! Join UCF CARD Autism Disorders Specialist, Jennifer Cicia, in reading and discussing the book with other parents. Register here: https://tlp4715.eventbrite.com
Wednesday April 9th
6:30 PM ZOOM
Wandering and Drowning Prevention
YOUR CHILD IS AT RISK! Drowning is the number 1 cause of death in children with autism. DROWNING IS PREVENTABLE! Register here to learn the steps to take that could save your child's life. Register: https://dpa4723.eventbrite.com
Monday April 14th
6:00 PM
3270 Suntree Bl, Melbourne, FL
Sensory Issues in ASD
Learn about sensory issues that may dysregulate children and adults with ASD and how to support them to deal with these challenges. Register: https://sensoryissuesasd1.eventbrite.com
Monday April 14th
6:00 PM ZOOM
Overview of The Mindful Interoception For Adults Program
This summer, we will be running this Mindfulness Interoception program for Adults with ASD. This curriculum is designed to develop mindful self-regulation for adults and focuses on promoting positive feelings rather than fixing ‘negative’ emotions. Lessons involve teaching you how to notice body signals, connect body signals to emotions, and then determine what action to take to promote comfort within the body. If your adult will participate, you must attend this overview session. Register here: https://interoceptionadultoverview4720.eventbrite.com
Tuesday April 15th
9:00 AM
3270 Suntree Bl, Melbourne, FL
Sensory Issues in ASD
Learn about sensory issues that may dysregulate children and adults with ASD and how to support them to deal with these challenges. Register: https://sensoryissuesasd2.eventbrite.com
Thursday, April 15th
6:30 PM ZOOM
The Cognity AI Platform for Social Skills Instruction
Join us for a special online presentation of The Cognity – an AI-powered platform created to support individuals on the autism spectrum in developing social skills in a fun and supportive way. Powered by cutting-edge AI, the Cognity provides real-time feedback on words, facial expressions, tone of voice, speaking style, and more. Developed in collaboration with psychologists and researchers from Poland, the United States, and Switzerland, this innovative tool is designed with your child's growth in mind. Register: https://TheCognity.eventbrite.com
Tuesday, April 22nd
6:30 PM ZOOM
My Autism Journey: A Panel Discussion with Autistic Adults
Please join us for a panel discussion led by adults with autism as they share their autism journey with you. Sometimes it is difficult for parents of young children with autism to envision a picture of their child’s future. The adults we will be hearing from have a very strong and inspiring message for parents of young children with autism. Register: https://autimspanel.eventbrite.com
Tuesday, April 29th
6:30 PM ZOOM
Navigating SSI for Disabilities
Does your son or daughter receive social security disability benefits? Are you wondering how that all works? Can they have a job? What happens if they earn too much at work? Join Greg Stuff for an overview of the nuts and bolts of navigating social security disability benefits. Register: https://ssb2025.eventbrite.com/
Support Groups
Tuesday, April 8th
6:00 PM ZOOM
Just For Dads!
Fathering a child with ASD makes you part of a special group of dads. Gather with others who are "walking the walk" you walk. Fathers and grandfathers who are raising children or adults with ASD are welcome. Come with questions, stories, concerns and share personal experiences and meet other dads like you. Register: https://jfd24-25.eventbrite.com
Wednesday, April 9th
6:30 PM ZOOM
Support Group for Black Families of Individuals with ASD
Our goal is to provide support to black families who have a child or family member on the spectrum become more accepting, aware, and supportive in all communities. We share resources, provide insights, and assist one another.
*Black - of or relating to any of various population groups including, but not limited to, African American, Caribbean, Haitian, Nigerian, Kenyan. Register: https://BFS25.eventbrite.com
Wednesday, April 9th
6:00 PM 1101 John Young Parkway Orlando 32804
Parents of Adults Face to Face Support Group Meeting
The Sunshine Spectrum Society is hosting a support group meeting with UCF CARD and PALS, sponsored by the 4Roots Farm. This is will be a chance for parents to meet up with others for sharing information, successes, challenges and discussion. The guest speaker will be Kim Snoeblen, who will lead the group in a discussion of mindfulness practices that can help parents and adults alike. Register now: https://apr49.eventbrite.com
Thursday April 10th
6:30 PM ZOOM
Parents of Young Children with ASD Support Group
We meet monthly to share concerns and celebrations while managing life as parents of young children with ASD. We share resources, provide insights, and support one another. New participants come each time and are always welcome! This support group is for parents of 2-11 year old who are registered with UCF CARD. This can be a great place to ask the facilitator, or other parents, questions about how they are navigating this with their child, resources that have worked, and those that haven't worked. Some parents come to listen, others come to vent, and others come with questions - all are acceptable! We meet monthly via zoom on the second Thursday of each month and would love to have you join us! Register: https://poycsgapril.eventbrite.com
Wednesday, April 16
6:30 PM ZOOM
Support Group for Caregivers of Adults with ASD
Free monthly resource and discussion group for parents of adults and late teens (16+) on the autism spectrum. Open forum for parents to discuss concerns, seek resources, and gain support in assisting their adult children. Register: https://coa4654.eventbrite.com
EN ESPAÑOL
Wednesday, April 12th
7:30 PM ZOOM
LUPA
LUPA (Latinos Unidos Por el Autismo) es un grupo de apoyo en español para familias de individuos con autismo. Creado con el propósito de establecer red de conexión entre las familias, expresar inquietudes, recibir información relevante, empoderamiento y conversar con invitados especiales para discutir temas de interés en la comunidad TEA.
Register: https://LUPAspringabril.eventbrite.com
Wednesday, April 30th
6:30 PM ZOOM
Estrategias para Comportamientos Desfaiantes
Únase a nosotros mientras discutimos las funciones del comportamiento y las estrategias que utilizan el ABA para apoyar el comportamiento positivo y disminuir los comportamientos desafiantes. Register: https://eventosdecomportamiento.eventbrite.com
Summer Camps
Looking for summer camps? We are posting them on a Padlet as we get them! Bookmark the UCF-CARD Summer Camp Padlet and visit frequently as camps are still being released, but the fill quickly!
Upcoming Events with PALS
Check out this link for a full calendar of PALS events for April! Calendar – PALS : UCF CARD
PALS events are open to UCF CARD constituents only.
Special Needs Screening at Studio Movie Grill
Special Needs Screenings present movies in a sensory friendly with the lights up, the volume low, and moving around, talking, and even dancing in the aisles are welcome. Special Needs Screenings are shown on select Saturdays at 11:00am at all SMG locations unless noted otherwise. Tickets are available at the Box Office only as early as the Wednesday prior to these screenings. Tickets are free to all attendees and seating is first come, first served. Parental guidance is suggested.
This month's featured film is Minecraft on April 12th!
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