April is Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month and Miami-Dade County is continuing its efforts to raise awareness with events and programs happening throughout the month.

Miami-Dade Parks features playgrounds with sensory equipment specifically designed for children with autism.

The Superhero Autism Sensory Garden at Tamiami Park includes an adventure crawl tube, play panels, play berm, a motion play spinner, shade and flowering trees, ADA accessible walkway and benches.

Other Miami-Dade Parks have nature-based playgrounds that feature sensory equipment and quiet spaces for children of all abilities, including:

• Biscayne Shores & Gardens Park
• Camp Matecumbe
• Country Lake Park
• Debbie Curtin Park
• Forest Lakes Park
• Greynolds Park
• Gwen Cherry Park
• Kendall Indian Hammocks Park
• Kings Meadow Park
• Modello Park
• Norman and Jean Reach Park
• Sabal Chase Park
• Serena Lakes Park
• Sgt. Joseph Delancy Park
• South Dade Park

Miami-Dade Libraries offers sensory-friendly programs and events, as well as books, sensory kits and many more resources available year-round.

The Department of Cultural Affairs supports inclusive arts and sponsors many sensory-friendly events such as All Kids Included.

Miami International Airport’s Multi-Sensory Room is a quiet area for young passengers with cognitive or developmental disabilities such as autism that provides a relaxing environment during the travel experience. Rooms are open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and are located in:

• Concourse D, post-security, just beyond TSA Security Checkpoint #4
• South Terminal, post-security, near Concourse J