Autism Silent Auction at FSU Panama City

Erica Martin

Recent estimates reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) suggest that one in every 88 children in the United States is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). During National Autism Awareness Month in April, Florida State University Panama City (FSU Panama City) students and faculty are seeking to raise awareness and funds to assist Bay County families affected by autism.

On Friday, April 13, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. CDT, in the Bayside Auditorium Christine Hermsdorfer, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and graduate of the FSU Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Master’s Program at FSU Panama City, will make a presentation entitled “Beyond Early Intervention: Social and Life Skills Training”.  Co-sponsored by the Emerald Coast Association for Behavior Analysis (ECABA) and the FSU Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP), the event is free to ECABA members and FSU staff and students.  Others may attend at a cost of $3.00 per person, which may be paid at the door. One type 2 Continuing Education Unit is available for BCBAs (bring certification number) for a cost of $10.00.

Following the presentation, ECABA will host an "Auction for Autism Awareness" from 6:30-8:30 p.m CDT in the Holley Academic Center Lecture Hall at FSU Panama City. Admission to the Autism Auction is $10, which includes food, refreshments, and raffle tickets for the Chinese auction.

Event proceeds will benefit FSU ECAP, which is a non-profit early intervention and community outreach program serving children in Bay County. The program’s mission is to provide effective behavioral treatment to children with ASDs using methods based on Applied Behavior Analysis.

“We are thrilled that the members of ECABA have offered to host this event for us,” stated Amy Polick, Ph.D., ECAP Director and psychology faculty member at FSU Panama City. “Our autism program serves about 30 families in the Bay County area and funding raised by this event will go directly to benefit these local families in our community who are affected by autism.”

Attendees to both events will also be able to ask questions and gain information about local autism services in the Bay County area. For more information, contact Dr. Amy Polick at (850) 770-2252.