Providing Autism Links & Support (PALS)
Providing Autism Links & Supports (PALS) is the 501c3 non-profit supporting organization for the University of Central Florida Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (UCF-CARD) and it’s constituents. Due to UCF CARD’s limited funding from the state to provide supports and services to over 15,000 individuals, PALS fills gaps by creating opportunities for autism in our local communities through social, family, collaborative, therapeutic, awareness and educational programs and events.
Donations to PALS are tax deductible according to Florida state law. All funds raised remain within Central Florida.
PALS was founded in 2002, by a group of parents who had children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and were seeking additional opportunities for their children. The parents elected to collaborate with the newly opened Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of Central Florida to enhance services they were providing in Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Lake, Osceola and Sumter counties.
The core values that PALS promotes are dignity, respect, accountability, collaboration, compassion and trust. PALS will strive for a collaborative effort by staff, family members, outside individuals and agencies. The abilities, interests, and preferences of all people served by PALS will be the prime focus of consideration while providing education, services and programs.
The vision of PALS is become the leading non-profit grassroots organization in Central Florida by providing evidence-based supports, services and programs for individuals with ASD to become included members of the community as they learn, play and work in Central Florida, and by piloting innovative programs and empowering their parents, family members. professionals, and siblings through educational interventions.
The mission of PALS is to create opportunities for individuals, of all ages, with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), registered with the UCF-CARD by providing state-of-the-art social inclusive community programs in Orange, Osceola, Brevard, Sumter, Lake, Volusia, and Seminole counties to optimize positive outcomes as they learn, play, work and live.