HDS Foundation

A heartfelt thank you to our community partner, Outback Steakhouse Davie, for hosting our Parent Night: Connect, Learn & Support this weekend!

Current and former parents of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students joined us for an evening of connection, learning, and valuable information about the transition from high school to post-secondary opportunities.

We extend our gratitude to Nathalie Stanish, Manager at , for sharing important transition resources and guidance with our families. We are also incredibly thankful to Steven Barnes and the team for generously donating appetizers and beverages.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to a wonderful evening of support and community. Together, we are helping our students build successful futures.

It truly takes a village! ❤

💗 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 💗

This month, we celebrate courage, honor resilience, and stand together in support of breast cancer awareness. Whether it's wearing pink, sharing information, or supporting a loved one, every action helps create a more informed and caring community.

Let's make October a month of awareness, encouragement, and hope. 🎀

❤ National Disability Awareness Month ❤

October is National Disability Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the unique talents, contributions, and achievements of individuals with disabilities while promoting inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities for all.

At HDS Foundation, we believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, work, and thrive in an inclusive community. This month, we recognize the importance of embracing differences, breaking down barriers, and focusing on abilities, strengths, and potential.

Together, let's create a world where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.

Different abilities. Endless possibilities.

🚗 Together, We Can Make a Difference! 🚗

The Autism License Plate helps fund programs that open doors to new experiences, meaningful connections, and brighter futures for individuals with Autism throughout Florida.

By purchasing an Autism License Plate, you are helping to build confidence, foster independence, and strengthen communities across the state. Together, we can create opportunities, promote inclusion, and empower individuals with Autism to reach their full potential.❤

💰📚 Learning Real-World Money Skills! 📚💰

This week, our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students welcomed guest speakers from for an interactive lesson on banking, financial safety, and money management. Students learned about protecting their PINs, recognizing scams and fraud, writing checks, and even creating their own signatures!

We are proud of how engaged the students were as they asked thoughtful questions and explored important financial skills that support greater independence and self-confidence.

A special thank you to Ms. Shamina Haider and Ms. Nadine Small from Bank of America for sharing their time, knowledge, and expertise with our students. We appreciate this valuable learning experience!

This week, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students took their learning beyond the classroom with a fun and meaningful Community Based Instruction (CBI) I trip to and !

🛒 First stop: Walmart! Before heading out, students learned about personal health and hygiene, including healthy hygiene habits and ways to help prevent the spread of illness. At Walmart, they put those lessons into action by shopping for and selecting personal hygiene products based on their own individual needs. Students practiced making choices, navigating the store, and becoming more confident and independent shoppers.

🍟 Next stop: McDonald’s! Students walked to McDonald’s, where they practiced reading the menu, choosing their own meal, ordering, and staying within a given budget. It was a great opportunity to practice money management, decision-making, communication, and independence while enjoying lunch with friends.

It was a successful day filled with learning, independence, social interaction, and fun! Most importantly, students practiced real-world skills they can continue using every day at home and in the community.

Learning happens everywhere, and CBI gives our students the opportunity to learn by doing!

Funding Opportunity for Families!

Autism Care Today’s Fall 2026 Grant Cycle is now open! Families caring for individuals with Autism may be eligible for grants of up to $5,000 to help cover assessments, treatments, life supports, and other needed resources.

📅 Apply by October 15, 2026

🔗 Ready to apply? Click the link below to learn more and submit your application.
www.act-today.org

This is an external grant opportunity administered by Autism Care Today.

🌻 A Small Lanyard That Can Make a Big Difference 🌻
(Shared by Kate Gilson-Miranda-HDS Foundation Board Member)

Not all disabilities are visible, and that’s why the Sunflower Lanyard is such an important resource.

I’ve found the process to be incredibly smooth and easy, and it’s a tool that can benefit so many individuals with hidden disabilities. Whether you have a neurological condition, chronic illness, sensory sensitivity, or another non-visible disability, the Sunflower Lanyard helps communicate that you may need a little extra support.

One of the biggest benefits is while traveling. Airports, public transportation, and other busy environments can sometimes be overwhelming. Wearing the Sunflower Lanyard discreetly lets staff and those around you know that you have a hidden disability and may need additional assistance, patience, or understanding.

Creating a more inclusive world starts with awareness, and the Sunflower Lanyard helps make that possible by opening the door to greater support and accessibility for those who need it.

If you’re interested in learning more, visit https://hdsunflower.com/ and discover how the Sunflower Lanyard can help make everyday experiences, including travel, a little easier.

💚 Everyone deserves to feel supported, understood, and included.

The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students kicked off the school year with an exciting Community-Based Instruction trip to and !

At Super Target, students used their classroom supply lists to identify needed items, locate them throughout the store, and practice making purchases. They picked up essential supplies such as composition books, pencils, markers, colored pencils, tissues, wipes, headphones, and more while strengthening skills like following a list, making choices, problem-solving, and completing transactions independently.

After shopping, students headed to Pollo Tropical, where they practiced reading menus, ordering their meals, and demonstrating appropriate dining skills in a community setting.

This fun and meaningful experience helped students build confidence while developing important communication, community participation, and independent living skills.

A Special Thank You!

Thank you to all the parents, teachers, friends, and family members who came out to support our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program during the recent Thermomix presentation.

The Thermomix is an all-in-one smart kitchen appliance that combines guided cooking with easy-to-use technology, making meal preparation more accessible and engaging. Thanks to a generous donation of a Thermomix to our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. classroom, students will have the opportunity to practice important life skills such as reading recipes, following directions, measuring ingredients, and preparing meals.

These hands-on experiences will help build confidence, independence, and practical skills that students can use both at home and in the community. We are incredibly grateful for this wonderful donation and the support of everyone who helped make this opportunity possible! ❤