WHAT IS PALS
PALS is an acronym for Providing Autism Links & Support. It is a 501c3 organization that serves Central Florida; therefore donations are tax deductible according to Florida law.
PALS was founded in 2002 by a group of passionate parents who had children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) registered with the newly opened Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of Central Florida. The founding members established PALS to create additional opportunities for their children to augment and enhance services the center was providing in Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Lake, Osceola and Sumter counties.
ABOUT US
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 its constituents. UCF-CARD receives limited funding from the State of Florida to provide supports and services to over 24,000 individuals, but it is not enough to do everything they would like, and there are certain activities that UCF-CARD cannot support under Florida State Statute. PALS fills these gaps by creating additional opportunities for children and adults with autism in our local communities through our educational programs, social engagement and family events, and community collaborations across our seven counties.
As an organization started by parents, PALS understands the challenges of supporting a loved one with autism, and strives to offer all programs at no cost to families and adults with autism, or at a very low cost. PALS depends on the generosity of the communities we serve and fundraising efforts to enable us to keep these costs low. Donations to PALS are tax deductible according to Florida state law and all funds raised remain within Central Florida.
PALS IMPACT
coming soon! 2024 impact summary
PALS VISION
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.
PALS MISSION
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.
