Bell Middle / High School -

💙💙April is here, which means ASD Awareness month!💙💙

This is a time to celebrate individuals on the autism spectrum and continue building understanding and support across our schools and communities.

This month, we encourage everyone to take small, meaningful steps to promote understanding in your daily life. Weather it is using encouraging language, being mindful of sensory needs or creating opportunities for participation, each effort helps create a more supportive environment for all.

Did you know?
• One in 31 children in the United States is identified with ASD.
• ASD is more than three times more common in boys than in girls.
• ASD occurs across all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
• Increased identification over time reflects improved awareness, screening and access to services.

If you or the families of your students are looking for support, there are several helpful resources available throughout Florida:

• The Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD): A network of state-funded, no-cost resource centers, that support individuals with ASD and related disabilities, their families and professionals across their lifespan. CARD centers provide consultation, education, training, technical assistance and resource referrals to help build skills, access services, and enhance community supports in homes, schools, workplaces, and other settings. Their goal is to help individuals reach their full potential and be an active, valued member of their Communities.

• Love Serving Autism: A nonprofit that empowers children and adults with autism and developmental abilities through specialized therapeutic racquet sports programs like tennis, pickleball and padel. Their Florida programs focus on enhancing communication, motor skills, confidence and overall well-being by combining sport with therapeutic support delivered by certified coaches and therapists. The organization also offers training for sports professionals and volunteers to expand adaptive programming in the community.

• FIN: An Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)-funded state project based at Florida State University’s (FSU) Learning Systems Institute that works with school districts and IDEA-funded state projects to support students with disabilities across Florida. FIN provides data-driven planning, professional learning, technical assistance, coaching and resources that help schools implement best practices and improve outcomes for students with disabilities, ensuring they have the same educational, social, and future opportunities as their peers. FIN’s services are free to Florida schools and designed to strengthen collaboration among families, educators and districts to support students in the least restrictive environment.

• Tree of Knowledge: A state- and federally-funded provider offering a wide range of psycho-educational services to support students with various learning needs. Services include assessments, therapy, instruction and tutoring, all designed to help students succeed academically, socially, and behaviorally. Tree of Knowledge partners with schools and families across the state and supports access to scholarship programs that expand educational opportunities for students with unique abilities.

This screening requirement is for all incoming 9th grade student athletes and for any incoming 10th, 11th, and 12th student athletes who are playing sports for 1st time.

Please sign up using the QR code.

Cost - $20

Please contact Athletic Director, Coach Joey Whittington at Bell High School with any questions or concerns. Coach Whitt can be reached at (352) 463-3232 or whittingtonj@mygcsd.org.