South Florida Ford and the Miami Marlins step up to the plate, teaming up to support autism awareness.
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Hello, my future Miamians! As a Realtor, I show clients through both unassuming homes and grand estates. But, as a father of an autistic child, my perspective shifts; I become a dad searching for promise and potential for our autistic children.
Here, in this city of endless summer, I see a growing awareness, a community waking up to the needs of autism families like mine. Miami, often celebrated for its vibrant nightlife and white sand beaches, is transforming. I am proud to participate in this beautiful remaking.
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Are you buying a home in Miami? I’m a Realtor and Autism Dad specializing in helping autism families buy their dream homes. Email: victor.antunez@exprealty.com or call/text 305-401-6224
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Miami, a Family Haven
Sensory-friendly playground in Pinecrest, Florida
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Miami infects the public imagination as a city of endless parties and dance ’til you drop nightlife. Yes, that’s all available if that’s what you want. But as I drive through the tree-lined streets of Coral Gables or the boulevards of Miami Beach, I see a different city. Here, children chase each other through front yards under the watchful eyes of neighbors who know each other by name.
It’s a Saturday, and I’m taking the family to Matheson Hammock Park & Marina, a local gem that’s become a family favorite. Last week, as we strolled along the winding paths of this bayside park, we found ourselves in the company of other families, each soaking in the simple joy of a day under the sun.
In Coconut Grove, I see parents and children gathering for story time at the local library. In Pinecrest, I see families exploring the Farmers Market, where local produce shines as bright as the art.
In these moments, Miami reveals itself not as a relentless party but as a community rich with tranquility and family-focused living.
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Community Trends with Sensory Needs in Mind
Dan Marino Autism Walk at Hard Rock Stadium
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In Miami, community trends are shifting toward a more heartening direction. Families like mine, with unique needs, are finding themselves embraced rather than isolated. We are part of a growing movement that cherishes accessible parks and community centers as enthusiastically as our white sandy beaches.
A shining example of this shift is the Miami-Dade Public Library System. It offers extensive sensory-friendly programs and events for families and children with special needs and neurodiverse individuals.
And nestled in the lush expanse of Coral Gables is the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, where sensory exploration is not only allowed but encouraged. Here, children can engage with nature in a thoughtful, designed space.
Now, consider the new wave of sensory awareness sweeping through Miami, where thoughtful design meets public spaces. Picture Superblue Miami – Sensory Friendly Sessions. In this museum, creators have integrated sensory-friendly features into the very blueprint of the experience.
And the movement extends beyond museums. The New World Symphony offers sensory-friendly concerts, allowing families to experience music in a serene and welcoming environment.
Joining this wave of change is the Miami Seaquarium, which has begun to host special days where the sounds and sights are adjusted to create a more comfortable and engaging experience for visitors with sensory sensitivities.
This is my Miami: a city where architects, community leaders, and families unite to redefine what it means to flourish. It’s a place where the real estate market is evolving to recognize that every family, regardless of its members’ needs, deserves to find its perfect home.
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Miami‘s Unsung Heroes
Lotus Behavioral Interventions of Miami, Florida
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In Miami, a network of unsung heroes weaves a safety net. Often unnoticed but indispensable, these organizations stand ready to support families with autistic members. They are the quiet strength of this city, the steady hands that guide us toward a more inclusive future.
Take Lotus Behavioral Interventions. Here, therapists work with children on the autism spectrum, using evidence-based approaches to help them develop essential life skills. They are artists of human potential, painting bright futures with every session.
Then there’s the Friendship Circle, where volunteers pair with children with special needs for recreational activities. It’s more than play; it’s a statement, a declaration that every child belongs and is welcome here.
Adding to this support network, the City of South Miami, in collaboration with County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, Crystal Academy, the Ausome Foundation, and UM-NSU CARD, announced its first Sensory Room Program. This program is a beacon of progress, a tangible step towards making Miami a city where sensory needs are embraced and understood.
In the corridors of power, this commitment to inclusivity echoes. “In Miami, we believe in building a city that welcomes and supports all its residents,” says Mayor Daniella Levine Cava… “Our community organizations are the backbone of this effort, ensuring that families with autistic members have the resources, support, and understanding they need to thrive.”
This is the Miami that won’t make headlines, but it’s the Miami that matters most to families like mine. It’s a city where community support is not an abstract concept but a living reality. In this southeast corner of the Florida peninsula, families find more than just a place to live; they discover a community ready to help.
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Miami‘s Bright Horizon for Autism-Friendly Living
Miami-Dade Police Department launches Autism and Sensory Training
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As I walk through the sunlit streets of Miami, I see a city on the cusp of something extraordinary. The real estate market is evolving, with a keen eye on the needs of families with autistic members. Buildings rise, not merely as structures of steel and glass but as thoughtful spaces, designed with sensory considerations at their core.
The local government is not a bystander in this transformation. New policies emerge initiatives that encourage the development of autism-friendly homes and communities. The Miami-Dade Police Department has launched an ambitious initiative: Autism and Sensory Training for every officer by 2023. This sweeping program is a beacon of progress, a tangible commitment to fostering a safer, more understanding interaction between 1st-responders and individuals with autism. It’s a signal to families like mine: Miami is not just listening; Miami is acting.
And the commitment to autism awareness isn’t limited to public institutions. Here, South Florida Ford and the Miami Marlins step up to the plate, teaming up to support autism awareness. Their collaboration is more than a corporate gesture. It’s a rallying cry that invites others to join in making Miami a place where everyone, regardless of their neurodiversity, can feel at home.
Celebrities also join this movement, embracing the call for a more inclusive community. The Dan Marino Foundation is a standout example, tirelessly working to open doors for individuals with autism. Through its efforts, businesses are training staff and adapting environments to be more welcoming to all. It’s a wave of change reshaping how Miami’s businesses operate – with empathy, awareness, and a heartfelt welcome for everyone.
The future is not a distant dream in this city. It’s unfolding in every sensory-friendly establishment that opens its doors, and every neighborhood is reimagined with love and understanding.
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A Picture of Possibility
As a father and a Miami real estate agent, my days are a blend of personal and professional, each informing the other. I navigate the city not solely through the lens of market trends but through the eyes of a parent whose child uniquely experiences the world. Miami, for me, is more than a city of sun and sea; it’s a canvas of potential, a place where families with unique needs are not afterthoughts but central characters in a narrative of inclusivity and warmth.
In this city, where the sky meets the ocean and the skyline paints a picture of possibility, families with autistic members are finding more than square footage. They’re discovering environments crafted with care, communities that extend a hand, and policies that speak to a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow. In Miami, a home is not the end goal; it’s the beginning of a life where every family member can thrive.
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Are you buying a home in South Florida? I’m a Realtor and Autism Dad specializing in helping autism families buy their dream homes. Email: victor.antunez@exprealty.com or call/text 305-401-6224
Let’s work together to choose the best possible environment for your family.
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Autism-friendly residential neighborhoods served in South Florida:
Miami, Miami Beach, Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Aventura, Key Biscayne, Pinecrest, Sunny Isles Beach, Doral, South Miami, Miami Lakes, Palmetto Bay, North Miami, Miami Shores, Surfside, Golden Beach, Brickell Key, Bay Point, Cutler Bay, Biscayne Park, El Portal, Venetian Islands, Fisher Island, Star Island, Hibiscus Island, Palm Island, Indian Creek Island, La Gorce, Belle Meade Island, Biscayne Point, Normandy Isles, Normandy Shores, Sunset Islands, Bay Harbor Islands, Bal Harbour, North Bay Village, Indian Creek Village, Ponce Davis
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