To understand the true purpose of CARD, it is necessary to understand autism. Autism is a biological disorder that begins in early childhood, usually by age three ((Autism; A Practical Guide for Educators & School Administrators, 3.). It is a lifelong developmental disability that affects three crucial areas; communication including understanding language, social interaction, and creative or imaginative play. There are several diagnoses which are closely related to autism, such as Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS, Asperger’s Syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, and dual sensory imp

Because living with autism can be so frightening and stressful for families, CARD was created to provide services for those families to help people with autism to build quality lives and reach their full potential. The main programs CARD offers these services through are Direct Assistance: consultation from a CARD professional, Technical Assistance and Consultation: activities sponsored by a program to serve people with the disability, Training and Workshops: college classes and in-service training for teachers and parents, and Public Education and Awareness: informs public with accurate information on what autism is (Center for Autism & Related Disabilities, Annual Report 1995-1996. 4.)

Dayna Nichols was instrumental in bringing CARD services to Pinellas County schools through her personal and professional relationship with Michele Kochanik, a teacher of students with autism at Tyrone Elementary. Jeffrey Nichols was a student in Kochanik’s intermediate class. Michele Kochanik stated that CARD provided Tyrone Elementary with a variety of valuable services in developing a program for students with autism, beginning in 1994 up until 2002 (Kochanik, Michele. Personal interview.30 November 2003.). When the autistic program began at Tyrone, support specialists provided training for the teachers in strategies for success for the students, as well as training for the entire staff of Tyrone in understanding the students in these new units. CARD continued to provide support to the school throughout the years by assisting with individual students and their families for those students who were displaying more difficult behaviors. The culminating event in which CARD was a vital partner was a groundbreaking collaborative monthly support project which included administration, teachers, speech pathologists and occupational therapists from Tyrone and Azalea Elementary, members from the medical staff at All Children’s Hospital (Dr. Henry Shapiro’s office), and the parents of the autistic students enrolled at both elementary schools. CARD was able to bring in professional contacts related to the areas of inter

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