In this Mini SPARC episode, we follow up on a previous Mini SPARC, Follow the Money, to continue to discuss the trend of multiple private equity firms' effects on the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) community.

In this week's episode, we welcome Anna Stewart, Manager at Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County. Her background as a Crime Scene Investigator and a non fatal drowning survivor also has given her a unique perspective in her current line of work. We discussed the ABC's of water safety and the resources available the residents of Palm Beach County.

In this week’s episode, we welcome Quaitba Davis, The Corporate Director of ABA (Applied behavior analysis) Assessments and the Regional Director of diagnostics. We discuss understanding how culture factors into creating a treatment program, positive and negative punishment procedures, and what families should look for when selecting a BCBA(Behavior Analyst Certification Board).

In this mini SPARC episode, we discuss the updated Centers for Disease Control recent findings that 1 in 36 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The increase of the diagnosis of ASD should not be an alarm, but a wake up call that we cannot continue to ignore Autism.

In this week's episode, we welcome Natalie Eno, Family Resource Specialist at Treasure Coast Early Steps/Easterseals Florida. Natalie is a mother of three daughters, the oldest diagnosed with autism. We discussed the resources she found that helped her better understand and care for her autistic daughter, making time for her other children, and the positive impact neurodivergent have on their neurotypical peers.

In this week's episode, we welcome Tricia Williams, the Area Director of Best Buddies in Palm Beach. We discuss her journey as a mother of a neurodivergent child and as a provider, the fight for inclusivity, and the history of Best Buddies.

Best Buddies International Website: https://www.bestbuddies.org/

Best Buddies Florida Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestbuddiesfl/

Best Buddies Palm Beach Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestbuddiespb

Best Buddies International Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestbuddies

Best Buddies International Twitter: https://twitter.com/bestbuddies

Best Buddies International YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bestbuddies

In this week's episode, we welcome Chandra McKinney- Clarke, MS and Jeffrey Lucas of FAU CARD (Florida Atlantic University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities). FAU CARD provides expert consulting, training, and support, at no charge, for all people across all race, ethnic, and gender groups, with autism and related disabilities, their families, employers, the professionals, and community and governmental agencies serving them.

We discuss the impact that FAU CARD is having on the local community, educating parents of the signs of autism and related disabilities, and the stigma of autism within the Haitian community.

Connect With FAU CARD:

FAU CARD Website: (Link)

FAU CARD Facebook: (Link)

FAU CARD Instagram: (Link)

FAU CARD Twitter: (Link)

FAU CARD YouTube: (Link)

FAU CARD LinkedIn: (Link)

 In this episode, we will discuss the myth that autistic individuals lack empathy. Angel will also share examples of how autistic people are misunderstood and are mistreated by neurotypical people.

SPARC UP is back! In this episode, our host Angel Wilson provides insight into the shift of focus for season two of SPARC UP! There is a vast disparity in the research and awareness of autism in the black community, which will be explored in season two.

A recent task force investigated the controversial Judge Rotenberg Center and its use of electric shock on patients. We will discuss the leaked report and the updated position statement that was triggered by the backlash of the original report.