I spent the weekend in Orlando at the first session of Partners in Policymaking, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Councilβs advocacy training program. Six-sessions, teaching us how disability policy gets made and how families like ours can help shape it. Iβll share what I learn here as I go.
π The first session of Partners in Policymaking
π I was the only dad in the room!
π Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and the week lines up behind it one fun event at a time. If Iβm picking one, itβs Sundayβs Autism Society of Miami-Dade 5K Run/Walk at Zoo Miami, the one morning the flamingos get to watch us do the walking. Check-in opens at 6:30am, early enough to beat the heat and the parking.
βGhost Tour at Deering Estate, 7:30pm - 9:30pm: Night tour of the estate's history and the paranormal activity. Ghost-hunting equipment welcome. Ticketed. Recommended for ages 9+. 16701 SW 72nd Ave
βGhost Tour at Deering Estate, 7:30pm - 9:30pm: Night tour of the estate's history and the paranormal activity. Ghost-hunting equipment welcome. Ticketed. Recommended for ages 9+. 16701 SW 72nd Ave
βThe Crimson Mask Halloween Party, 9pm - 1am: Masquerade night for adults 21+; complimentary bites, DJ, prizes, costume contest, and a cash bar; a portion of proceeds benefit the Creating Abilities Foundation for children and adults with autism. Ticketed. Five Iron at The Plaza, 3009 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables
βBoo in Bloom at Fruit & Spice Park, 10am - 5pm: Halloween. Come in costume & receive a free seed pack; costume contest at 2pm. Children 5 & under free, members free. 24801 SW 187 Ave, Homestead
βTrick-or-Treat on the Mile, 3pm - 6pm: Businesses along Miracle Mile hand out treats, with face painting and balloon art from 3:30pm, a 2pm Wizard of Oz performance and 4:30pm kiddie costume parade at the Actors' Playhouse Miracle Theatre, and a magic show at 5pm.
βFREE, Safe Streets Halloween Circus on Sunset Drive, 4pm - 7pm: The City of South Miami & Miami Kids Magazine present a circus streets Halloween with games, prizes, music, food, and allergy-friendly candy station. All ages. Sunset Dr (72nd St) from US-1 to SW 57th Ave
βNightmare on Montrose at Veterans Park, 6pm - 10pm: Miami Lakes' family Halloween tradition with a haunted house, trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating and a costume contest. 15151 NW 82nd Ave, Miami Lakes
βSpooky Symphony at New World Center, 11:30am: Family concert of Halloween classics by the New World Symphony for ages 4 - 9. Come in costume and arrive early for hands-on activities and a spooky soiree. Ticketed. 500 17th Street, Miami Beach
βSocial Program at Shake-A-Leg Miami, 10am - 2pm: Water activities, socialization, and professional training for students & young adults with IDD in a safe and supportive environment. 2620 S Bayshore Dr
Days & Times May Change π¦ Confirm Before Going
π Do you know of inclusive, sensory-friendly, or family events in Miami-Dade that belong here? Hit reply and I'll add them.
βNow through October 31st, Bugtopia at Zoo Miami: Giant animatronic insects, with bug-detective microscope stations where kids earn a junior entomologist certificate. Included with zoo admission. 12400 SW 152 St, Miami
π Do you know of events or programs in Miami-Dade that belong here? Hit reply and I'll add them.
π November's Events Calendar
FREE, Monday November 3rd, Family Discovery Day at Easterseals South Florida, 9am - 1pm: Bringing families and community partners together to share resources and connect with services for the children and families they serve. On-site parking. 1475 NW 14th Ave
βWednesday November 4th, Ability Allies: Fun Without Limits, 5-6pm: Social meetup for special needs teens 16+ and their families, with sensory-friendly activities and creative play. Caregiver participation encouraged. Coral Reef Branch Library, 9211 Coral Reef Dr
βSaturday November 7th, Amigos Night 2026, 8pm-1am: Empowering families through after-school enrichment, parent education, and wrap-around support. The Hangar at Regatta Harbour, 3385 Pan American Dr
Tuesday November 10th, CARD Just for Moms Support Group, 6:30pm: For Moms parenting children with autism and related disabilities. RSVP Daniela at dchaparro@miami.edu. 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502
Tuesday November 17th, CARD Just for Dads Support Group, 6:30pm: For Dads parenting children with autism and related disabilities. RSVP Dr. Alessandri at malessandri@miami.edu. 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502
βWednesday November 18th, Ability Allies: Fun Without Limits, 5-6pm: Social meetup for special needs teens 16+ and their families, with sensory-friendly activities and creative play. Caregiver participation encouraged. Coral Reef Branch Library, 9211 Coral Reef Dr
βThursday November 19th, Give Miami Day: The Miami Foundation's largest annual initiative, a 24-hour online fundraising event powering over 1,400 nonprofits across Miami-Dade. Early Giving opens November 14.
βFriendship Circle Band, 4pm - 6pm: Music program for people with special needs at Friendship Circle Miami: children and teens 4pm - 5pm, adults 5pm - 6pm. Chabad Friendship Campus, 8700 SW 112th St
βMy Squad, 6-9pm: Social gathering for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park, 3940 Granada Blvd
βAMC Sensory Friendly Films at participating AMC theatres: Family-friendly sensory screenings in partnership with the Autism Society, with the lights up and the sound down so guests can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing; screenings begin right at showtime with no trailers. Check theatre listings for showtimes.
ββSocial Program at Shake-A-Leg Miami, 10am - 2pm: Water activities, socialization, and professional training for students & young adults with IDD in a safe and supportive environment, 2620 S Bayshore Dr
1st SUNDAY
βChuck E. Cheese, 9-11am: Opens early exclusively for Sensory Sensitive Sunday (Kendall, Hialeah, Aventura)
βLEGO Club, 10am: All supplies provided. Designed for people with disabilities, all welcome. Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park, 3940 Granada Blvd
3rd SUNDAY
βGables Bike Tours from the Coral Gables Museum, 10am: Guided, themed two-hour rides through Coral Gables with a different route each month, bring your own bike, helmets required for kids under 16, museum admission included. Ticketed, kids under 12 half price. Call (305) 603-8067 or RSVP. 285 Aragon Ave
βWednesday December 2nd, Ability Allies: Fun Without Limits, 5-6pm: Social meetup for special needs teens 16+ and their families, with sensory-friendly activities and creative play. Caregiver participation encouraged. Coral Reef Branch Library, 9211 Coral Reef Dr
Tuesday December 8th, CARD Just for Moms Support Group, 6:30pm: For Moms parenting children with autism and related disabilities. RSVP Daniela at dchaparro@miami.edu. 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502
βWednesday December 9th, Ability Allies: Fun Without Limits, 5-6pm: Social meetup for special needs teens 16+ and their families, with sensory-friendly activities and creative play. Caregiver participation encouraged. Coral Reef Branch Library, 9211 Coral Reef Dr
Tuesday December 15th, CARD Just for Dads Support Group, 6:30pm: For Dads parenting children with autism and related disabilities. RSVP Dr. Alessandri at malessandri@miami.edu. 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Room 502
π Do you know of events or programs in Miami-Dade that belong here? Hit reply and I'll add them.
Social Clubs For Adults With IDD πͺ
This is a section I really want to grow. If you know of any in-person groups like these anywhere in Miami-Dade County, please let me know. 305.401.6224
WEDNESDAYS
βMy Squad: Weekly social gathering for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism. Non-residents welcome. For more information email Catie PlayForAll@coralgables.com. 3940 Granada Blvd, Coral Gables
MONTHLY, DATES VARY
βThe Social Cog: Social club that helps independently functioning adults with autism and other developmental and social challenges build friendships through an accepting peer group, one-on-one coaching from trained clinicians, and monthly group outings. 305-501-2333