The South Florida chapter of Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, will hold its 2016 Broward Autism Speaks Walk on Saturday, September 24, on the green in front of NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library. Activities are scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m.
NSU is the ideal location for this major event as the university has a more than 30-year history of providing high-quality services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD.) “From innovative, direct-service programs to academic coursework to research, autism is a major focus of our university,” said Sue Kabot, Executive Director of the Autism Institute at NSU’s Mailman Segal Center (MSC) for Human Development.
The Broward event will include a two-mile walk with opening ceremonies emceed by radio personality Nathalie Rodriguez of 93.9MIA, followed by presentations by elected officials and performances by up and coming artists. Other highlights of the day include “meet & greets” with Miami’s sports teams’ mascots and cheerleaders and the largest autism community resource fair, providing families with “one-stop shopping” for educational options, community resources therapists, and recreational programs and fun child-friendly activities.
Kabot welcomes NSU faculty, staff and students to join TEAM NSU for the Baudhuin Preschool, MSC’s early intervention preschool program for children with autism. Participants and their co-workers can set their own fundraising goals and there’s no minimum to join in the fun and the fundraising. NSU is hoping to have at least 100 people on team and to meet its goal of $12,000. For those who can’t make the event but would like to contribute, you can still donate by purchasing a TEAM NSU shirt available for $10.
NSU will host two tents at the event. One will feature all of MSC’s academic programs that address autism, applied behavior analysis and current research projects that are seeking participants. The second tent will have NSU students and MSC employees hosting fun and engaging activities for children, including sensory play, Play Doh and art.
For more information, call Donnet Goulab at ext. 27168 or go to the NSU team page for the 2016 Autism Walk.