Miami Children’s Museum Earns Autism Certification

Miami Children’s Museum has taken a significant step toward making play and learning more accessible to every child, earning the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).The certification recognizes the museum’s efforts to create a welcoming environment for autistic and sensory-sensitive children and their families.

To earn the designation, the museum’s entire staff completed specialized autism and sensory training focused on understanding individual needs and applying best practices when assisting visitors.

“We believe every child deserves a place where they can be themselves, play and explore their curiosity freely,” said Deborah Spiegelman, CEO and executive director of Miami Children’s Museum.

“As a Certified Autism Center, it is our promise to every family who walks through our doors that they will be seen, understood and welcomed exactly as they are.”

The training provides employees with standardized protocols for interacting with guests with autism and other invisible disabilities, allowing staff members to respond to different situations with greater knowledge and confidence.

The certification builds on accessibility initiatives already offered by the museum. On the second Saturday of every month, Miami Children’s Museum hosts Sensory Friendly Saturday, an experience designed for children with disabilities and their families.

During the program, admission is limited while lighting and sound levels are reduced to create a more sensory-friendly environment. Families can also enjoy adapted stage performances and participate in sensory-based activities.

Admission to Sensory Friendly Saturday is free, although advance RSVP is required.“By achieving the Certified Autism Center designation, Miami Children’s Museum is leading the way in redefining what inclusive play looks like,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman.

The museum’s certification also contributes to a broader initiative led by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau to help Miami work toward becoming a Certified Autism Destination™.

The designation is intended to provide residents and visitors with multiple trained and certified options across recreation, entertainment and lodging.

Miami Children’s Museum is also featured in the free IBCCES Accessibility App, which provides information about certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces and accessibility resources.

For the museum, the certification reinforces a philosophy that has guided its educational mission for more than four decades: children learn through opportunities to play, explore, imagine and interact.Now, with additional training and sensory accommodations, the museum is working to ensure those experiences are available to more families.

Located on Watson Island, Miami Children’s Museum has spent 22 years at its current location, offering bilingual interactive exhibits, educational programs and activities designed to encourage learning while giving children the freedom to discover the world around them.