Happenings & Stories
Budgeting in Action: Students Take on Online Ordering
Our students practiced real-world skills with a Publix online ordering adventure! In class, they completed a scavenger hunt to navigate the website and used the “order ahead” feature to pick their lunch, all while staying under a $15 budget. Students entered their...
Dressing for Success: B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Prepare for the Workplace
As part of a new year initiative, HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students took an important step toward workplace readiness by shopping for professional attire to wear during worksite visits. Students visited Ross Dress for Less, where they practiced real-world skills by...
Courage, Community, and Confidence on the Ice
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students hit the ice at Pines Ice Arena for a day of skating, socializing, and building confidence!Each student received ice skates and a skating aid, giving them the chance to try a new leisure skill in a safe, supportive environment. Many students...
Preparing for Everyday Success Through Community-Based Learning
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students kicked off the year with a Community-Based Instruction (CBI) trip to Pembroke Crossings in Pembroke Pines! They visited stores like Burlington, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Five Below and Barnes and Noble, where they were excited to see...
Getting Ready to Make an Impact: HDS Mentors Prepare for the Semester
The HDS Foundation is proud to support students at the University of North Florida through our College Mentors Program, offered in partnership with the university’s THRIVE Program. This collaboration allows us to help create meaningful, individualized support for...
Finding the Perfect Holiday Surprise
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a fun and meaningful Community-Based Instruction trip to Dolphin Mall! Students practiced budgeting and independent shopping as they picked out gifts valued between $10–$15 for a family member, with many choosing something special...
Creating Opportunities, One License Plate at a Time
Drive with purpose! When you purchase a Florida Autism License Plate, you directly support the HDS Foundation as a grant recipient helping fund vital programs for teens and young adults with Autism across Florida. Your choice makes a meaningful impact. Together, we...
A Season of Friendship
Our Miami-Dade students enjoyed a festive holiday outing to Olive Garden filled with food, friendship, and fun! Before arriving, students chose their own meals, giving them a chance to practice decision-making and planning. Once there, they spent time chatting with...
Celebrating Friendship This Holiday Season
Last week, the students in our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. programs in Broward County enjoyed a wonderful holiday celebration at Chili's Grill & Bar! They gathered to celebrate the holiday season together and take part in a Secret Elf & Secret Snowman gift exchange....
Creating Holiday Magic Together
What a fun afternoon the students enjoyed together! First, they created personalized snow globes featuring photos of themselves inside. Students practiced decision-making as they chose decorations, arranged their designs, and selected the type of “snow” for their...
Secret Snowman Magic
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a fun and meaningful outing this week as they visited to shop for their Secret Snowman gifts! Students began by filling out a questionnaire about their favorite things. Each student was then assigned a classmate to shop for, with a...
Mixing Math, Cooking, and Holiday Cheer!
Holiday Fun in the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Classroom! Today, students practiced their math and cooking skills with a cheerful holiday twist. They read a receipt to figure out the cost of each ingredient and the total price of the recipe—putting real-world math into action....
Secret Elf Adventures
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students are gearing up to spread holiday cheer with their classmates! Students headed to Walmart to shop for their Secret Elf gifts, each working with a $30 budget (including tax!) to find something special for a friend. They had a great time...
Empowering Students Through Creativity
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students participated in a hands-on learning experience at Color Me Mine, where they selected and painted their own holiday ceramic figures. Each student chose from a tree, snowman, or cat and thoughtfully planned the colors and designs they...
HDS Foundation Board Members Making an Impact
Join us in supporting a great cause and promoting acceptance, inclusion, and opportunities for individuals with Autism! Our dedicated HDS Foundation Board Members proudly champion the Florida Autism License Plate Program, helping raise awareness and strengthen vital...
Learning on the Field
Students had a chance to enjoy a fun and educational day outdoors before Thanksgiving break started, enjoying the beautiful weather while practicing important skills! The focus of the day was conversational skills and teamwork. At the baseball field, students went to...
Creating with Purpose: Students Make Their Own Candles
Last week, our students enjoyed a fun, hands-on experience when Scentsability, a nonprofit that creates artisan scented candles and provides meaningful workplace opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), visited the school to...
Sharing Food, Friendship, and Gratitude
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students came together to celebrate Friendsgiving with a special lunch from Chick-fil-A! They enjoyed great food, shared conversations, and spent meaningful time building connections with their peers. Students were excited for Thanksgiving Break...
Using Recreation to Build Life Skills and Independence
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a blast at Round USA, for a day full of fun and friendship! Each student received a game card and got to play the games of their choice. From claw machines to sports and simulation games, students explored activities that matched...
Preparing for Independence Through Hands-On Learning
The students had a great experience during the Community-Based Instruction trip as part of the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program. They visited several retail stores, including TJ Maxx, Ross Dress for Less, and Five Below, where they worked in pairs to complete assigned...
Learning Through Service: HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Support Jamaica Relief Drive
We are so proud of our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students for making a meaningful impact! In response to recent events, students participated in the Jamaica Relief Drive at their school to support those affected by Hurricane Melissa. The students were split into groups and...
HDS Foundation has been awarded $10,000 by the Autism Services Grants Council (ASGC)
🎉 Exciting News! 🎉We are thrilled to share that HDS Foundation has been awarded $10,000 by the Autism Services Grants Council (ASGC) for our Bridging the Gap: Empowering Students with Autism program! The ASGC is committed to supporting programs that...
Creating with Purpose: Students Make Their Own Candles
Last week, our students enjoyed a fun, hands-on experience when Scentsability , a nonprofit that creates artisan scented candles and provides meaningful workplace opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), visited the school to...
Celebrating 17 Years of Making a Difference
For 17 incredible years, HDS Foundation has been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youth and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). What began as a vision to empower and support has grown into a movement that transforms lives every single...
Creating, Connecting, and Celebrating Fall!
To celebrate the fall season, our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed a fun outing to Flamingo Nursery! Students had the opportunity to paint pumpkins, take a relaxing hayride, and explore the beautiful nursery grounds. The day began with a creative pumpkin-painting...