Local Resources

Mount Sinai’s Adult Autism Clinic dedicated by the Makarov Foundation provides primary and specialty medical care for individuals age 18 and older with an autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. The staff has been trained by the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) to meet the special medical needs of adults on the autism spectrum. Mount Sinai is the only hospital in South Florida that provides medical care in a hospital setting for the adult autism population, ages 18 and over.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (305) 674-2430

The Mailman Clinic of Child Development offers a team centered approach to health care and intervention for developmental disabilities. Especially helpful in guiding parents/caregivers as they learn about interventions, programs and agencies available within the University of Miami and in the community where the family lives. A Family Navigator will be assigned to the family to explain, guide and connect them with the right resources based on their needs and concerns. The service is free of charge and covers the lifespan

Easter Seals offers a wider array of services over the life span for children and adults with different abilities. These include education, therapy, vocational training and summer programs.

FIU Embrace is a university-wide initiative that promotes health, wellness, and overall functioning for adults with developmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities (ID), and other neurodevelopmental disorders (OND). It seeks to help these persons lead healthy lives and maximize their individual potential across their lifespan. Services include health care, legal services, and secondary education.

The University of Miami’s Autism Spectrum Assessment Clinic (ASAC) offers assessment and a variety of therapeutic programs and services for individuals with ASD or related social-communication difficulties.  Therapies at ASAC focus on improving social, emotional and behavioral functioning.

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics located in Hollywood, Florida provides comprehensive services for children experiencing developmental or behavior problems.

JAFCO serves children from birth through age 22 diagnosed with a developmental disability, including autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, spina bifida or Prader-Willi. They offer therapeutic services, child enrichment services, family support, respite care, support groups and parent training. They also offer Camp Kehilla, a special needs camp for children ages 3 – 22 with developmental disabilities.

Neuro Network Partners, located at the Neurodevelopment Program at Nicklaus Children’s Dan Marino Outpatient Center, is a group of physicians have specialized expertise in fields including epilepsy, headaches, traumatic brain injury, neurocritical care, neuromuscular disorders, cerebral palsy, movement disorders, autism, developmental disorders, behavioral problems, sleep disturbances, and neuro-immunologic disorders. Dr. Roberto F Tuchman, Chief, Department of Neurology, Director of Autism Program and Neurodevelopment Program at Nicklaus Children’s Dan Marino Outpatient Center in Weston, FL.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities Serves Floridians with developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, Spina Bifida, Prader-Willi Syndrome and Phelan-McDermid syndrome.  Assists individuals with their application to receive Medicaid Waiver funding. Provides home and community-based services waiver, family and supported living waiver, Consumer Directed Care Plus and living facilities for people with developmental disabilities. 

The Florida Department of Children and Families Determines eligibility and ongoing case management of food assistance (food stamps), temporary cash assistance and Medicaid for families with children or older adults who are blind or disabled.  For Florida programs and services for people with disabilities click here.

The Social Security Administration manages applications for disabilities (SSI, SSDI). Provides information regarding benefits on a walk-in or appointment basis.

Here is an overview of the application process for disability benefits if you are applying for a child under 18 years of age

And here is an overview for Disability benefits for people over 18 years of age but who were diagnosed before 22 years of age.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that helps people who have physical or mental disabilities get or keep a job. VR mission is to help people with disabilities find meaningful careers. They offer career counseling, financial assistance with tuition and job counseling.

Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service Life Planning Program offers educational seminars, individual consultations, advocacy and emotional support to families who have a family member with any type of disability, including intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness and TBI. The program assists families with making viable and appropriate future plans for their family members.

Alpert JFS’ Pooled Trust allows disabled individuals and seniors to place income and or assets that are over government benefit limit requirements for Medicaid into the trust, so that they can qualify for much needed government benefits and be instantly eligible.

The Arc of South Florida serves the over 1,000 Miami-Dade County citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of South Florida provides a variety of programs and services over the life span from therapy, adult day programs, housing, and life planning.

Quick Links
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)