Special Needs Resources in Miami
Complete guide to programs, services, and activities for families in South Florida
Why Miami for Special Needs Families?
Miami-Dade County serves over 9,000 individuals with developmental disabilities, with a wide mix of schools, therapy providers, county-funded programs, and nonprofits. Families often use the UM-NSU CARD autism center, specialty schools that accept the FES-UA scholarship where eligible, and community programs like adaptive water sports on Biscayne Bay—always confirm eligibility and availability directly with each provider.
Whether you're looking for early intervention, school-age programs, teen transition services, or adult day training, Miami has options for every stage of life.
Programs by Age Group
Miami offers specialized programs for every stage of life. Here's what's available:
Early Childhood (0-5)
- Florida Early Steps (free birth-3)
- Easter Seals Early Intervention
- Children's Trust funded pre-K programs
- Early ABA therapy providers
School-Age (6-12)
- South Florida Autism Charter School
- Friendship Circle Sunday programs
- Zoo Miami sensory events
- Special Olympics youth programs
Teens (13-18)
- Hope for Miami Kidz2Success
- Friendship Circle teen programs
- Transition planning services
- Pre-vocational training
Adults (18+)
- WOW Center adult day training
- The Arc supported employment
- United Community Options living
- Friendship Circle adult programs
Key Organizations in Miami
These are the major special needs organizations serving Miami-Dade County families:
Friendship Circle Miami
Recreation & Social20,000 sq ft Friendship Campus offering inclusive programs for neurodiverse individuals. Programs include Sunday Circle, Karate Circle, Friendship Circle Band, and summer camps.
WOW Center Miami
Adult Day TrainingServing 200+ adults with developmental disabilities since 1972. Offers art, music therapy, culinary programs, supported employment, and Special Olympics.
Hope for Miami (Kidz2Success)
Teen TransitionChildren's Trust-funded afterschool and summer programs focusing on academic support, life skills, job training, and independent living skills.
UM-NSU CARD
Free Support ServicesFree state-funded autism support center providing parent training, social skills groups, school consultations, behavior support, and community referrals.
Shake-A-Leg Miami
Adaptive RecreationWorld-renowned adaptive water sports center offering sailing, kayaking, and marine science camps for individuals with all abilities.
Zoo Miami
Sensory-Friendly RecreationCertified Autism Center offering Sensory Friendly Saturdays with reduced crowds, noise-canceling headphones, and trained staff.
Miami Children's Museum
Sensory-Friendly RecreationFeatures a Snoezelen Room for sensory therapy and hosts regular sensory-friendly events for children with autism and sensory processing differences.
The Children's Trust
Funder & Resource HubMiami-Dade's primary funder for children's services. Funds special needs programs throughout the county and provides the All Children Together (ACT) inclusion initiative.
The Arc of South Florida
Comprehensive ServicesCommunity living, employment training, day programs, and advocacy services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Easter Seals South Florida
Therapy & EducationComprehensive early intervention, therapy services (PT, OT, speech), autism programs, and adult day programs throughout Miami-Dade.
United Community Options
Residential & Day ServicesResidential group homes, supported living, adult day training, and supported employment for adults with developmental disabilities.
Parent to Parent of Miami
Family SupportParent-to-parent peer support, advocacy training, and community resources from families who've been there.
Funding & Financial Resources
Special needs services can be expensive. Here are the main ways Miami families pay for programs:
FES-UA Scholarship
Florida's education savings account for students with disabilities. Covers private school tuition, ABA therapy, speech therapy, and curriculum materials.
The Children's Trust
Funds special needs afterschool programs, summer camps, and inclusion services throughout Miami-Dade County.
Florida Medicaid
ABA therapy, speech, OT, and PT with no annual caps for children under 21 through EPSDT.
APD iBudget Waiver
Medicaid waiver for home/community services including personal care, respite, and supported employment. Has waitlist.
Private Insurance
Florida mandates autism coverage including ABA therapy. Check your specific plan for details.
Pro Tip: Combine Funding Sources
Many Miami families use multiple funding sources. A common approach: use insurance for ABA therapy, FES-UA for private school tuition, and free CARD services for parent training and support.
Read our complete FES-UA guideFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this guide
Miami-Dade County has 100+ special needs programs and services, including schools, therapy centers, recreational programs, and adult services. The county serves a large number of individuals with developmental disabilities, with options spanning public, private, Medicaid, and county-funded programs—always verify eligibility and openings with each provider.
Miami-Dade families often use UM-NSU CARD for autism information and training, South Florida Autism Charter School and other schools, private programs that accept FES-UA where eligible, ABA clinics (check your insurance network), and community programs such as Shake-A-Leg adaptive water sports and Zoo Miami sensory-friendly events. Coverage and waitlists vary—confirm details with each organization.
Yes, the FES-UA scholarship works at approved private schools and service providers throughout Miami-Dade County. The base amount averages around $10,000 per year, but students with higher needs may receive $22,000 to $34,000 annually. Most Miami special needs schools accept FES-UA.
Miami offers several free resources: UM-NSU CARD (autism support and training), The Children's Trust funded programs, Zoo Miami sensory-friendly events, Parent to Parent peer support, Miami-Dade County ESE services, and Florida Early Steps for children 0-3.
Yes, Miami has extensive adult programming. Key providers include WOW Center (day training, employment), The Arc of South Florida (supported living, jobs), United Community Options (residential programs), and Friendship Circle (social programs for adults).
Miami offers many sensory-friendly options including Zoo Miami Sensory Friendly Saturdays, Miami Children's Museum Snoezelen Room, Shake-A-Leg adaptive water sports, and regular sensory-friendly movie screenings at local theaters. Many venues have Certified Autism Center designations.
Start by contacting your insurance for in-network ABA providers. You can also contact UM-NSU CARD for referrals, search the BACB certificant registry, or ask South Florida autism schools that offer on-site ABA therapy. Florida Medicaid covers ABA with no annual caps for children.
Compare schools for fit with your child's IEP or evaluation, teaching approach, therapies on site, class size, FES-UA acceptance if you plan to use it, and logistics. Well-known options include South Florida Autism Charter School (public charter) and many private programs. Visit our Miami schools page for listings and contact schools directly for tours and availability.
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