♿ Miami-Dade Disability & Autism Newsletter 🧩

Good morning, my fellow Miamians 🦩

Last week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lucas Castillo and his mom Martha from Team Matthew on the podcast. We talked about what it's really like to be a special needs sibling. It's a side of our world that doesn't get talked about enough, and Lucas didn't hold back.

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Today's Edition Includes

1. This Week’s Inclusive Events Calendar
2. July's Inclusive Events Calendar
3. Events Further Out to Plan Ahead For
4. Ongoing (Monthly) Inclusive Events

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Victor Antunez • (305) 401-6224

Real Estate Professional 🔑 Autism Dadvocate

PS. If buying or selling a home has been on your mind lately, and you want to talk it through, feel free to text me anytime at (305) 401-6224.

PSS. Nothing means more than a real estate referral. If someone comes to mind, send them my way.

👍 Facebook: Join the Miami-Dade Disability & Autism Hub for local events, resources, and ongoing support

🫶🏼 This Week's Inclusive Events

​Wednesday 11am - 12pm: Sensory Friendly Playtime Calming, sensory-friendly play for kids with sensory integration challenges and their caregivers. Ages 0-5. North Shore Branch, 7501 Collins Ave, Miami Beach

​Wednesday 5pm - 6pm: Ability Allies Fun Without Limits Inclusive social meetup for special needs teens & their families, sensory-friendly activities and creative play in a supportive, barrier-free space. Caregivers welcome. Ages 16+. Coral Reef Branch, 9211 Coral Reef Dr, Miami

​Wednesdays: AMC Sensory-Friendly Screenings Mature audiences at participating locations

​Thursdays: Veterans Adaptive Fishing at Shake-A-Leg Miami 2620 S Bayshore Dr, Coconut Grove

​Saturdays 10am - 2pm: We Can Sail at Shake-A-Leg Miami Inclusive sailing, and waterfront activities for all experience levels. 2620 S Bayshore Dr

​Saturday: Miami-Dade County’s Adopt-a-Tree Program provides homeowners with 2 free trees. FIU Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 NE 151 St

​​Sundays: Social Program at Shake-a-Leg Miami Water activities, socialization, and professional training for students & young adults with IDD in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, 2620 S Bayshore Dr

​Sunday 12-5pm: The Bass Museum Family Day FREE Admission & Art Activities 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach

​​Sundays: Institute of Contemporary Art Children of all abilities engage with art through activities inspired by the museum’s exhibitions. Kids Pre-K - 2nd grade, 61 NE 41 St

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Days & Times May Change 🔦 Confirm Before Going

📌 Do you know of inclusive events or sensory-friendly programs in Miami-Dade that belong here? Hit reply and I'll add them ✏️

🖇️ FREE DOWNLOAD​​

​Miami-Dade Special Needs Resource Directory​

Scholarships, Grants, Schools, Healthcare, Therapy, and Recreation for Children & Adults with Disabilities

July's Inclusive Events Calendar 🗓

​Tuesday July 28th 11am - 3pm: Miami Beach Commemorates Americans with Disabilities Act, Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive

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Days & Times May Change 🔦 Confirm Before Going

📌 Do you know of inclusive events or sensory-friendly programs in Miami-Dade that belong here? Hit reply and I'll add them ✏️

​​🔑 FREE Homebuyers Guide

​​The Ultimate Home Buying Guide for Families with Special Needs​​

🔦 Events Further Out to Plan Ahead For

​Saturday August 1st 10am - 3pm: The Children's Trust Family Expo Free admission & free parking. Get an Uber Voucher for up to $15 each way, enter code FAMILYEXPO26 in the Uber app, valid August 1st 7am - 4pm. Miami-Dade Fairgrounds, Arnold Hall, 10901 SW 24 St

​Saturday August 1st 10am - 2pm: Join Cristina's Academy and Kinetic students, families, and neighbors at the Arthur & Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts for an in-person event to celebrate the spirit of new beginnings!

​Wednesday August 5th 6pm – 8pm: Branches’ 2026 Back To School Bash Networking, food, and drinks while making an impact in the lives of over 550 students. UM Newman Alumni Center, 6200 San Amaro Dr

Saturday August 8th 8am - 3pm: One Year Anniversary Party at No Limits Coffee Shop Celebrate the shop's 1st year with raffles, giveaways, live music, and great food. 13920 SW 47 St

​Saturday August 15th 10am - 12pm: Love Serving Autism Tennis Workshop Learn how to introduce tennis to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Free for coaches, volunteers, school, rec staff, etc. No tennis ability needed. 7300 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne

Saturday August 29th 10am - 3pm: Disability Resource Fair hosted by the Miami-Dade PIOD ADA Office at Fuchs Pavilion, Miami-Dade Fairgrounds, 10901 SW 24 St

Tuesday September 8th 6:30pm: CARD Just for Moms Support Group for Moms raising children with autism and related disabilities. Must be registered with CARD. Meetings are at 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502. RSVP Daniela Chaparro at dchaparro@miami.edu

​Saturday September 12th 830am - 1130am: Miami-Dade County’s Adopt-a-Tree Program provides homeowners with 2 free trees every year. Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152 St

Tuesday September 15th 6:30pm: CARD Just for Dads Support Group for Dads raising children with autism and related disabilities. Must be registered with CARD. Meetings are at 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502. RSVP Dr. Alessandri at malessandri@miami.edu

​Friday September 18th 10:45am - 2pm: Celebrating the Hearts Behind the Mission, a luncheon hosted by Many Happy Hearts marking nearly 2 decades of non-profit work. Individual and table sponsorships are available. 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables

​Monday & Tuesday September 21-22nd 8am - 5pm: FIU Embrace Disability Conference: From Evidence To Action, Turning Knowledge Into Systems Change. 11200 SW 8 St, GC Ballrooms G140/150

​Saturday September 26th 6:30pm: Bella’s Ball 630pm at Trump National Doral Miami, 4400 NW 87 Ave

​Sunday October 4th 1pm - 5pm: Not So Scary Halloween Bash. Put on your best costume and get ready to trick or treat throughout Miami Children's Museum. Activities: pumpkin decorating, spooky arts & crafts, lunch, and character meet & greets.

Tuesday October 13th 6:30pm: CARD Just for Moms Support Group for Moms raising children with autism and related disabilities. Must be registered with CARD. Meetings are at 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502. RSVP Daniela Chaparro at dchaparro@miami.edu

​Sunday October 18th 9am: Superblue Sensory-Friendly Session welcomes guests who are neurodiverse or other disabilities. 1101 NW 23 Street

Tuesday October 20th 6:30pm: CARD Just for Dads Support Group for Dads raising children with autism and related disabilities. Must be registered with CARD. Meetings are at 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502. RSVP Dr. Alessandri at malessandri@miami.edu

​Friday October 23rd - Saturday March 20, 2027: Partners in Policymaking Leadership and Advocacy Training Program teaches individuals with developmental disabilities and caregivers to become community leaders and catalysts for systems change

​Sunday November 1st: Autism Society of Miami-Dade Annual 5K Run/Walk at Zoo Miami check-in opens at 630am, race begins at 8am

​Saturday November 7th 8pm – 1am: Amigos Night 2026 Supporting programs empowering families through after-school enrichment, parent education, and wrap-around support. The Hangar at Regatta Harbour, 3385 Pan American Drive

Tuesday November 10th 6:30pm: CARD Just for Moms Support Group for Moms raising children with autism and related disabilities. Must be registered with CARD. Meetings are at 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502. RSVP Daniela Chaparro at dchaparro@miami.edu

Tuesday November 17th 6:30pm: CARD Just for Dads Support Group for Dads raising children with autism and related disabilities. Must be registered with CARD. Meetings are at 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502. RSVP Dr. Alessandri at malessandri@miami.edu

Tuesday December 8th 6:30pm: CARD Just for Moms Support Group for Moms raising children with autism and related disabilities. Must be registered with CARD. Meetings are at 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502. RSVP Daniela Chaparro at dchaparro@miami.edu

Tuesday December 15th 6:30pm: CARD Just for Dads Support Group for Dads raising children with autism and related disabilities. Must be registered with CARD. Meetings are at 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502. RSVP Dr. Alessandri at malessandri@miami.edu

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Days & Times May Change 🔦 Confirm Before Going

📌 Do you know of inclusive events or sensory-friendly programs in Miami-Dade that belong here? Hit reply and I'll add them ✏️

🔑 FREE Homebuyers Guide

​​The Ultimate Home Buying Guide for Families with Special Needs​​

Ongoing Inclusive Events ✈️

Last Wednesday

​My Squad 6-9pm: Social club for adults with IDD at Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park, 3940 Granada Blvd. Search "My Squad" at playgables.com​

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3rd Thursday

​The Bass Museum 6-9pm: FREE Admission, 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach

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1st Friday

​Coral Gables Museum Gallery Night 6-9pm: FREE, 285 Aragon Ave

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1st Saturday

​Gold Coast Railroad Museum: FREE, at the entrance to Zoo Miami

​The Home Depot Kids Workshop 9am: FREE activities & crafts

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2nd Saturday

​AMC Sensory-Friendly Screenings: At participating locations

​Miami Children’s Museum 9-11am: FREE with RSVP, Sensory Friendly Activities for Kids, 980 MacArthur Cswy

​Museum of Miami 12-5pm: FREE Family Fun Day, 101 W Flagler Street

​Paradox Museum Miami Sensory Friendly Saturday 9 - 11am: $10 per person with 50% of proceeds benefiting the Dan Marino Foundation, 2301 N Miami Ave

​Perez Art Museum (PAMM) 11am-3pm: FREE, activities for children and adults, guided tours, guest artists, films, and performances. 1103 Biscayne Blvd

​The Sensory Lab: FREE, ages 3-12, for details text Elton: 305.878.9654, 5825 SW 68 Street, Suite 2

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3rd Saturday

​Coral Gables Museum Family Day 10am-6pm: FREE Family Day, 285 Aragon Ave

​Frost Museum of Science 'JUST FOR ME' ​10am-1130am: Sensory-friendly experience for kids with disabilities, 1101 Biscayne Blvd (limited number of FREE admissions)

​Miami-Dade Tax Collector Neuro-Inclusive Service Day 830am - 430pm: Connect with county services: handicap & autism decal, Florida ID cards, voter registration, disability tax exemption assistance, and disabilities sunflower lanyards, 200 NW 2 Ave

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4th Saturday

​AMC Sensory-Friendly Screenings: At participating locations

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1st Sunday

​Chuck E. Cheese: opens early 9 - 11am exclusively for Sensory Sensitive Sunday (Kendall, Hialeah, Aventura)

​LEGO Club: All supplies provided. Designed for kids ages 5-12 with IDD at Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park: 3940 Granada Blvd. For info email: PlayForAll@CoralGables.com​

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Last Sunday

​The Bass Museum Family Day FREE Admission and Art Activities: 12 - 5pm. 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach

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Monthly, Dates Vary

​Miami-Dade Public Library Inclusive Programs: For kids & teens with intellectual or developmental disabilities, featuring movies, crafts, and gaming in an environment where jumping, dancing, singing, and shouting are welcome, plus inclusive social meetup groups for special needs children and teens with their families.

​SUPERBLUE: sensory-friendly sessions, select mornings

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Days & Times May Change 🔦 Confirm Before Going

📌 Do you know of inclusive events or sensory-friendly programs in Miami-Dade that belong here? Hit reply and I'll add them ✏️

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