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The South Florida Autism Charter School (SFACS), located in Hialeah, held a community walk this Saturday in celebration of Autism Awareness Month, bringing together families from Dania Beach to Homestead to highlight the institution's inclusive efforts throughout the year.
The school was founded by Tamara Moodie in 2013 and opened its doors in August 2014 with only 48 students.
Today, it serves more than 300 students from kindergarten to 12th grade across its two campuses in Hialeah, becoming a regional benchmark for families seeking specialized programs for autism spectrum disorder.
For many of those families, the institution is much more than an educational center: it is a community they consider their home.
Students learn life skills that go beyond the classroom, from making a bed to swimming, with the aim of ensuring that every child has a fulfilling and meaningful childhood.
One of the most visible examples of that impact is David Floer, a 12th-grade student and singer, who recently performed on a stage in front of thousands of people, an experience that reflects the confidence he has developed within the institution.
The school also offers extracurricular activities such as dance, cheerleading, basketball, soccer, and the Key Club, with the aim of providing its students with the same opportunities as their neurotypical peers.
Tools such as augmentative communication applications, GPS watches, and specialized hearing aids are also part of the support ecosystem surrounding these students.
According to recent data, one in every 31 children aged eight in the United States has autism, compared to one in every 36 recorded in 2020, highlighting the increasing need for specialized institutions like SFACS.
"Let's celebrate autism. Let's make people see who we are here, how powerful we can make our voices heard," emphasized the event organizers.
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