"For Sibs Only" stories

This site was updated 

May 11, 2008

It is our goal to make this site a place where you can locate the resources and information you need to help you with the daily challenges associated with parenting and advocating for children with special needs of all ages.  We are not "reinventing the wheel".   There is a veritable maze of information out there and it is plentiful, it's just not always easy to locate or simple to understand.  We are making every effort to seek out that information from the most reputable sources, and present it to you in a form that reflects our "parent-friendly" way of doing things.  We hope that you find each and every page non-technical and easy to use, but packed with valuable information. 

Please scroll down for an easy-link index table

A Big 

"Thank You" 

to

Chelsea Coffee Company

3217 E. Silver Springs Boulevard

and 

SW College Road & 27th Avenue

for their support

A Special Week of Summer Fun - Marion

   “Pilot Kids” are children between the ages of 5 and 12 living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disabilities who will be “piloting” an inclusion project that is giving them the opportunity to participate in their community in existing summer camps along with their non-disabled peers, enjoying activities outside of their typical secluded environments.  Through this program, both groups of children will be exposed to each other, in most cases probably for the first time ever.  This is a unique opportunity for participants to gain valuable social skills and learn about their differences and similarities while new relationships are being formed. 

This is the first year of the “Pilot Kids” Program.  It will run for one-week (June 23 – 27) and accept thirty (30) children who will participate in the Ocala Recreation and Parks “Summer Blast” attending three (3) existing day camp locations – Ten (10) children per site.  Camp hours will be from 9 – 3. 

 Deadline for application is May 20, 2008

Click Below To Request Information and An Application

SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS

AUTISM PAGES 

"DON'T MOURN FOR US"

An article written by a young man living with autism

"MY VERY OWN TOOLS"

A mom shares her personal strategies

NEW POSTING

CALEB'S CLUB

AN ASPERGER’S FRIENDSHIP SOCIAL SKILLS GROUP

Social skills networking for children with high-functioning autism

ages 10 -16 and their parents

3rd Saturday of every month from 2-5:15 p.m.

Email Jennifer Bryant at  xlsguru@bellsouth.net for more information

NEW RESOURCE 

Central Florida Parent Center's (CFPC) AWARE project, as the Federally-funded Parent Training & Information Center (PTI) for central and northeast Florida, provides information, assistance, training opportunities, and support to parents of children with disabilities.

CFPC's primary goal is to assist parents to understand the special education process and to develop strategies for creating positive and collaborative partnerships with school personnel in the education of their children.

Services are free and are available to parents of children with disabilities in central and northeast Florida.

To learn more about CFPC visit http://www.CFLparents.org

LINKS TO HOT TOPICS

Florida Governor Charlie Crist  Announces Task Force on
Autism Spectrum Disorders 

Affordable and Appropriate Housing

APD 2007 Budget Finalized

A brief description of the changes in Waiver services 

Limited Support Coordination - A Special Note

Med-Waiver

What is the "waiver"? Where to find information

Respite Care Providers 

Care for Waiver and non-Waiver Recipients

Special Bulletin Board 

Community events, activities, programs and fund-raisers, financial assistance, recreation and special studies and requests

Special Program for Siblings

"Sibshops" now in Gainesville and Ocala

Recreation Program for Adults with Disabilities

Browse and Click the At-a-glance Listing Below