Today, ABA Centers of Florida proudly partnered with the Miami Marlins to host Autism Acceptance Day, an inspiring afternoon dedicated to celebrating neurodiversity, promoting autism awareness, and creating a welcoming space for all fans. The day was capped off with a Marlins win over the Washington Nationals, making the event even more memorable for attendees.
For families impacted by autism, events like baseball games can often feel overwhelming or out of reach. That’s why ABA Centers of Florida created a private, sensory-considerate viewing space within the ballpark for its young clients and their families, which was staffed by trained autism therapists. This dedicated area provided these children a comfortable environment to enjoy the game – many for the very first time.
The outing was about more than watching baseball; it was a meaningful opportunity for children to apply the skills they’ve developed in therapy to a real-world, high-energy setting. Each child received one-on-one support from their assigned behavior therapist, helping them confidently navigate the excitement of the ballpark while building social and emotional resilience.
Kicking off the game in powerful fashion, Jason Barker, CEO of ABA Centers, took to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. With inspirational form, he set the tone for Autism Acceptance Day and helped set the stage for the Marlins’ thrilling victory over the Nationals.
“Through our partnership with the Miami Marlins, we are able to show families affected by autism that they belong in every space and that their children deserve to have all of the experiences that make a childhood a great childhood,” said Mr. Barker. “Our goal is to help create environments where inclusion is the standard, not the exception.”
Fans were treated to an exclusive Autism Acceptance Day bucket hat giveaway, courtesy of ABA Centers of Florida, symbolizing solidarity and support for the autism community. The giveaway was a huge success, with thousands of fans proudly sporting the stylish hats throughout the afternoon.
Adding a hands-on element to the day, ABA Centers of Florida installed scaled versions of its clinic play spaces throughout the ballpark. These interactive exhibits gave attendees a unique look at the innovative, child-first environments found in ABA Centers of Florida’s clinics across the state.
Last season, ABA Centers of Florida unveiled the newly named sensory room at loanDepot park. Located on the Legends Level, the space offers a calming retreat for guests who may feel overwhelmed by the stadium’s sights and sounds. Equipped with self-soothing tools and activities, the room was thoughtfully designed for the neurodivergent community, but is open to all attendees during both baseball and non-baseball events throughout the season.
As the Official Autism Education Partner of the Miami Marlins for the 2025 season, ABA Centers of Florida is proud to continue building on its impactful partnership with the team, which first began in 2023.
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