Autism ToolKit

11/19/2025

REMINDER! Our EarliPoint ECHO happening TODAY at noon! EarliPoint is an eye tracking technology that can detect autism in children from the comfort of the pediatrician's office. Georgia Medicaid accepts EarliPoint results, so Earlipoint can get kids into early intervention services!

This session is FREE and you can participate virtually.

It's not too late to sign up!

Sign up here: https://www.georgiaruralhealth.org/pro.../rural-autism-echo/

11/14/2025

📣 Don’t miss our upcoming Rural Autism ECHO session!

On November 19th, we’ll be presenting on EarliPoint, an FDA-authorized eye-tracking technology that can make autism diagnosis easier and more convenient for families—especially in rural communities.

EarliPoint collects eye-gazing data while a child watches short videos, giving clinicians objective insights into social and non-verbal development. That means families may no longer need to travel long distances or wait months for a specialist appointment. Faster, closer-to-home evaluation tools are becoming a reality.

If you’re a healthcare provider, educator, or community partner working to improve early autism identification, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

👉 Join the Rural Autism ECHO and learn how tools like EarliPoint can reduce barriers for families.

👉 Sign up to learn more about EarliPoint here: https://www.georgiaruralhealth.org/project-echo/rural-autism-echo/

11/01/2025

🕯️🌼 Happy Día de los Mu***os from The Autism ToolKit! 🌼🕯️

Today, we honor and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed, remembering them with love, color, and joy. 💛

Día de los Mu***os is a time to reflect, connect, and cherish the memories that continue to brighten our hearts.

May your day be filled with warmth, remembrance, and beautiful traditions. 💐

Visit us at www.autismtoolkit.org

***os #

10/30/2025

📅 Our November Events Calendar is Live!

We’ve just updated our events calendar for November - and there’s a lot going on! 💙 Whether you’re looking to learn more about autism, connect with others, or find local support, we’ve got something for you.

🌐 Many of our events are virtual, so you can join in and learn no matter where you live!

👉 Check out the full list here: https://www.autismtoolkit.org/events/month/2025-11/

10/30/2025

If you live in the Dalton area and need a place for your daughter to practice social skills, BLOOM has a social skills group!

Spread the word to anyone that has a child that could benefit from these groups. New group begins on November 4th at 4 pm.

Caregiver feedback from previous groups:
"She is participating more at school and engaging more with her classmates. She has made new friends. At home, she is expressing her feelings better."

"She is greeting more and more people. She is taking turns with very little fights, and making friends easier."

10/30/2025

🎃👻 Happy Halloween from The Autism ToolKit! 👻🎃

We hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween filled with treats, smiles, and sensory-friendly fun! 🍬💙

Whether you’re trick-or-treating, attending a community event, or celebrating at home, remember:

🕯️ Keep things calm and comfortable.
🎭 Practice costumes and routines ahead of time.
🍫 Offer familiar treats and snacks.
🚦 Stay visible and safe while out and about.

Wishing all of our families, friends, and community members a spooktacular night full of joy and understanding! 🌙✨

10/29/2025

REMINDER! We’re hosting a FREE virtual session on conditions that co-occur with autism today at noon!

You can still sign up! Visit us at: https://www.georgiaruralhealth.org/project-echo/rural-autism-echo/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNu8t9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkIRye_RFp7KykfN-szLAyaw39xhiHeMDhYBSjI4fdYl7YQfPok-FjGoLUVn_aem_Wa5WpafDWoZZEywoa9U2Ag

Rural Autism ECHO: Strategies for Improving Health Care for Autistic Patients in Rural Georgia Families in rural communities often have limited access to information about autism, which can make it more challenging to recognize early signs and know how to respond to a child’s unusual behavior. Thi...

10/28/2025

If you're in the Columbus, GA area, The Autism Hope Center is hosting a "Light Up The Valley Glow Run" fundraiser on Nov 7th! You can have fun with your family and support people in the autism community!

🎉✨ Autism Hope Center Presents ✨🎉

🌟 LIGHT UP THE VALLEY GLOW RUN FOR AUTISM🌟

🏃‍♂️ 5K Race & Fun Run

📅 Friday, November 7th, 2025

📍 Cascade Hills Church, 727 54th St., Columbus, GA 31909

🕠 Fun Run starts: 6:30 PM

🕖 5K Race starts: 7:00 PM

👕 Register by November 1st to guarantee your T-shirt!

💡 Join us for a glowing night of fun, fitness, and community support in the Chattahoochee Valley! All proceeds benefit the Autism Hope Center.
🔥 Big Dog Running Company will be there, timing the race —don’t miss it!
👉 Register now: https://www.givesignup.org/Race/GA/Columbus/LightUpTheValley5k

10/28/2025

🌊 Water Safety for Autistic People 🌊

Did you know that autistic children are 160 times more likely to drown than non-autistic children? Many are drawn to water’s sights and sounds - which makes safety planning essential.

🏊‍♀️ Families can reduce risk by:

✔️ Teaching clear rules and using visuals
✔️ Installing barriers and alarms
✔️ Supervising closely — always within arm’s reach
✔️ Using life jackets safely around open water
✔️ Enrolling in autism-friendly swim lessons

Learn more about how to keep autistic children and adults safe around water in our full guide: https://www.autismtoolkit.org/resource/water-safety-for-autistic-people/

For this article, we worked with Water Safety with Miss Dayna! Learn more about her and her work here: https://watersafetywithmissdayna.com/

💙 Let’s work together to make water safety second nature for every family.

10/25/2025

Everyone ready for Halloween?

💙🩵💛 Three colors. One message: Every child belongs.

💙 Blue for Autism
🩵 Teal for Food Allergies
💛 Yellow for Kindness

Because Halloween should glow with more than just candy —
it should shine with understanding, inclusion, and love. 🎃✨

10/25/2025

🧩 Why Are Autism Rates Rising?

You may have heard that autism rates are increasing - but that doesn’t mean autism itself is “spreading.” The rise in numbers comes from a combination of factors that help more children get identified and supported.

In our "Why Are Autism Rates Rising?" article, we explain what’s behind the increase, including:

✔️ Broader definitions of autism in the DSM-5
✔️ Better awareness and screening tools
✔️ Improved access to healthcare and earlier detection
✔️ Shifts in parenting age and advances in neonatal care

The good news? More awareness and better tools mean more children can get the help they need, sooner. 💙

👉 Read the full article: https://www.autismtoolkit.org/resource/why-are-autism-rates-rising/

10/23/2025

🌟 Free Early Autism Detection and Treatment Training Course 🌟

📅 When: Virtual sessions - starting every Monday from Oct 27th through Dec 15th.

🕛 Time: Noon - 1pm

🔍 Why attend?

Gain deeper understanding of autism: how it presents, different levels of severity, and how it can affect people in different stages of life.

Learn about tools the tools used to detect autism. Learn about new technologies (like EarliPoint) for early detection.

Learn strategies to support patients and families, and handle co-occurring conditions.

👩‍⚕️ Who should attend?
Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, therapists, teachers, students, and any health or behavioral professionals working with autistic individuals in rural communities.

✅ Ready to join?
Use our QR code below or email ASD@Mercer.edu to sign up!

Our course is perfect for anyone looking to learn strategies for providing better autism healthcare, or for anyone who simply wants a better understanding of autism!