ABA Centers of Florida took center ice as the proud sponsor of Autism Acceptance Night with the Florida Panthers, helping transform Amerant Bank Arena into a beacon of inclusion and awareness for the autism community. As the Panthers secured a thrilling win over the Detroit Red Wings on April 10, the evening stood out just as much for its message of acceptance as it did for the action on the ice.
The electric energy of a hockey arena – bright lights, loud cheers, and fast-paced action – can be overwhelming for individuals with autism. That’s why ABA Centers of Florida created a private, sensory-friendly viewing area inside Amerant Bank Arena for its clients and their families. Staffed by experienced autism therapists, the space allowed children to enjoy the game in comfort while receiving individualized support from their behavior therapists throughout the night. It was a meaningful opportunity for them to apply therapy skills in a real-world, dynamic environment.
The night also offered once-in-a-lifetime moments for many of ABA Centers of Florida’s young clients. Several rode the “Fanboni” alongside their therapists, cruising the ice in front of cheering fans, and got to meet the Panthers’ beloved mascot, Stanley C. Panther, adding a touch of magic to the evening.
To further showcase its innovative approach to autism care, ABA Centers of Florida installed scaled versions of its signature clinic play spaces throughout the arena. These interactive setups gave attendees a hands-on look at the calming, child-focused environments that define the future of autism therapy.
“Our mission at ABA Centers of Florida is to create opportunities where every individual with autism feels seen, supported, and celebrated,” said Jason Barker, CEO of ABA Centers. “Partnering with the Florida Panthers is about more than just visibility; it’s about building environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive, connect, and be part of the community in meaningful and fun ways.”
The partnership has also made a lasting impact on the arena’s accessibility. Last season, ABA Centers of Florida unveiled the venue’s first-ever sensory room, located on the Upper Level. Designed with the neurodivergent community in mind, the room offers a peaceful retreat filled with self-regulation tools and soothing activities – and is open to all guests during every event.
In addition to the sensory room, ABA Centers of Florida has provided sensory bags stocked with noise-canceling headphones and other self-soothing items. This season, the bags received an exciting update: guests can now take them home to continue their calming routines beyond game night or bring them back when they return for the Panthers’ next win.
Since becoming the Official Autism Education Partner of the Florida Panthers in 2024, ABA Centers of Florida has worked closely with the team to promote accessibility, awareness, and acceptance throughout the community, ensuring everyone has a place to feel included in the excitement of the game.
About the Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers won their first Stanley Cup championship in their 30th anniversary season in 2023-24 following a thrilling seven-game Stanley Cup Final series with the Edmonton Oilers. The NHL’s southernmost team, the Panthers have earned a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons and reached the postseason in a club-record five consecutive campaigns. Under President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Bill Zito and Head Coach Paul Maurice the Cats are a tenacious, dynamic and exciting team led by captain Aleksander Barkov, superstar forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. At home in Sunrise, Fla., at Amerant Bank Arena, the Panthers welcome fans from the tri-county area, the South Florida region and beyond. An organization with deep roots in the community, their pillar program ‘Heroes Among Us’ honors a United States military veteran at every game.
Acerca de Amerant Bank Arena:
Florida’s premier sports and entertainment venue, Amerant Bank Arena is Florida’s largest indoor arena and the second largest sports and entertainment venue in South Florida. Home of the NHL’s 2024 Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, the state-of-the-art Amerant Bank Arena continues to host hundreds of major concerts, events, and performance acts each year, which have included the likes of Elton John, Harry Styles, Beyonce, Childish Gambino, WWE, Billboard Latin Music Awards and more. Located in Sunrise, Florida across from the Sawgrass Mills Mall, which attracts upwards of 30 million visitors annually, the Broward County-owned Amerant Bank Arena is one of the top-ranked venues of its kind in the world, servicing Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach Counties and beyond. For more information about Amerant Bank Arena and upcoming events, games, and concerts, visit AmerantBankArena.com y sigue a @AmerantBankArena en Facebook e Instagram y a @AmerantArena en X.
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