September 2025

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Thank you for being such an essential part of our mission to empower individuals with autism. Your generosity and support make all the difference.

OUR FIRE TRUCK PULL WAS A HUGE SUCCESS, RAISING OVER $44K FOR CONNECTIONS!

On Saturday, August 30, at Gardens Park, the community came together for one of our favorite annual traditions — the Fire Truck Pull. Teams of first responders, business leaders, college athletes, Connections families, and supporters of all kinds joined us for a high energy day filled with competition, camaraderie, and support for our students and adults at Connections. Check out some highlights here.

Thanks to your incredible support, this year’s event raised $44,500 to benefit students and adults with autism.

The competition was fierce as teams raced to pull a real fire truck 30 feet in the fastest time, or with the lowest combined team weight. Fundraising was also part of the challenge, with teams and individuals vying for the top spot.

Congratulations to our 2025 champions:

🏆 Fastest Pull

1st Place: BluEdge Boulders — 8.32 seconds

2nd Place: PBG Police

3rd Place: PBG Fire Rescue

🏆 Lowest Combined Weight Pull

1st Place: PBG Fire Rescue — 418 pounds

2nd Place: PBG Police

3rd Place: PBG Local 5470

🏆 Highest Fundraising Team

1st Place: Team Noah — $17,420 raised

2nd Place: ZAZ Squad

3rd Place: BallenIsles

🏆 Highest Fundraising Individual

Anthony Rivas (Team Noah) — $7,678 raised

We are deeply grateful to everyone who pulled, fundraised, sponsored, volunteered, and cheered. Your efforts make a lasting difference for the students and adults with autism we serve.

👉 See photo highlights on our Facebook page and Instagram!

Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our generous sponsors whose support made the Fire Truck Pull such a success.

CONNECTIONS STUDENTS TAKE THEIR FIRST SWING WITH FIRST TEE

More to come about this great new program—stay tuned!

CONNECTIONS STUDENTS MADE A SPLASH AT ISLAND DOLPHIN CARE

Our students had an exciting visit to Island Dolphin Care on September 9th where they experienced the joy of interacting with therapeutic dolphins specially trained in animal-assisted therapy. This incredible organization blends play with therapies familiar to our students, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Occupational Therapy (OT), creating an environment that is both fun and therapeutic.

Thank you to the Palm Beach International Boat Show for their generous grant, which makes this enriching opportunity possible.

PROJECT A.L.E.C. SWIMMER OF THE WEEK

We are so proud to recognize August as our Project A.L.E.C. Swimmer of the Week! This is his very first time swimming with us, and he’s already showing incredible progress and potential. With guidance from Mr. Carlos, August is working hard on his streamline position, hand pulls, and powerful kicks!

Water safety and swim instruction are so important in Florida—especially for children with autism—who are 160 times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers.

Through our Draw the Line on Drowning campaign, we’re committed to giving every child the skills and confidence they need in the water through our adaptive swim lessons, taught by specially trained instructors who understand their unique sensory and communication needs.

For a limited time, ALL DONATIONS WILL BE MATCHED, DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR, thanks to our generous donors.

You can help us make a difference. Please consider supporting Draw the Line on Drowning with a donation today.

JOIN US FOR CURRICULUM NIGHT

Curriculum Night is a back-to-school event where parents visit their child's classroom to meet the teachers & staff, learn about the academic year's curriculum, classroom routines, policies, and how to best support their student's learning at home. 

Pre-k to 5th Grade

Monday, September 15th at 5:30

6th Grade to High School

Tuesday, September 16th at 5:30

PTO MEMBER VOTING

Our PTO plays an important role in building community and supporting our students — and we’d love for you to be part of it!

If you’re interested in running for a position, please submit your name and the role you’d like to run for to aortiz@connectedpb.com on or before September 11th.

Open positions include:

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary
4. Committee Members (several openings available)

THE SPECTRUM ALERT: A LIFELINE FOR FAMILIES WITH AUTISM IN FLORIDA

As parents and educators, a child’s safety is always our priority—especially for children on the autism spectrum. Florida has taken a powerful step forward with the introduction of the the Spectrum Alert, a statewide emergency system to locate missing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The alert is designed to integrate with existing systems—like Amber and Silver Alerts—but focuses solely on ASD-related emergencies. It focuses on the serious risk of elopement (wandering), a leading safety concern for children with autism—especially in Florida, where the abundance of water makes the risk of drowning especially high. Our latest blog explores what the Spectrum Alert means for families and how the autism community can benefit from it.

MANAGING SENSORY MELTDOWNS VS TANTRUMS: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE

For parents, educators, and caregivers of children with autism, navigating big emotions and behaviors can be a daily part of life. One of the most important — and often misunderstood — distinctions to make is the difference between a tantrum and a sensory meltdown. Though they may look similar on the surface, recognizing the difference is key to offering the right support and helping children feel safe, seen, and understood.

At Connections, we focus on individualized approaches that honor each student’s unique sensory profile. Our team is trained to recognize the signs of sensory dysregulation and respond with strategies that support emotional and physical regulation — from calming environments to sensory breaks and communication tools.

Tips for Supporting a Child Through a Sensory Meltdown

• Stay calm. Your calm presence can be grounding.
• Reduce sensory input. Dim the lights, lower your voice, and move to a quiet space if possible.
• Offer sensory tools. Weighted items, noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, or calming visuals can help.
• Don’t try to reason during the meltdown. Wait until the child is calm to talk.
• Provide reassurance. A simple “You’re safe. I’m here,” can go a long way.

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