"He just lit up," she says. "He could touch the walls, see things bloom — it was calm and interactive, exactly what he needs."
For families of children who are neurodivergent, visits to crowded museums, noisy theaters, and busy restaurants can be overstimulating. Now, a growing number of venues across Miami are creating more inclusive experiences that consider sensory sensitivities.
Sensory-friendly events are designed to support people with sensitivities to certain sights, sounds, textures, or smells. According to Dr. Lauren Carbonell, a licensed clinical psychologist with Pediatric Psychology Associates in South Miami, these sensory sensitivities can affect emotional regulation and overwhelm the nervous system.
"An individual who has more sensory differences may have one or all areas where it's just harder for them to regulate aspects of that type of input," says Dr. Carbonell. "In certain environments, it can cause them to become overwhelmed, irritable, or even panic."
While often associated with autism spectrum disorder, Dr. Carbonell says sensory processing differences are also common in children with ADHD, speech and language delays, and learning differences. The benefits of sensory-friendly events go beyond just making outings more manageable — they help children feel empowered.
"Events like this and having the ability to attend something they otherwise may not feel successful in is so huge to their sense of self and confidence," she adds.
These events also offer lower-pressure opportunities for social interaction in supportive spaces. "Inclusion is a feeling," says Castañeda. "And our kids feel it."
Castañeda says sensory-friendly events benefit both individuals with sensory diversities and their families. "It gives families an opportunity to be present as opposed to dreading an event," she says. "We're always so worried about how our child will react, and not just them — the people around them."
Dr. Carbonell says parents can feel fear or embarrassment about judgment. "In a more sensory-friendly setting," she says, "there is support and understanding."
Looking for sensory-friendly events for your family? From museums to movie theaters, these Miami venues offer sensory-inclusive programming. Check their websites and social media before heading out — events sometimes require an RSVP or run at limited capacity.
Where to Find Sensory-Friendly Fun in Miami
Immersive art museum Superblue Miami offers low-sensory sessions, quiet rooms and sensory kits.
Photo by teamLab, courtesy of Pace Gallery
The theatre provides sensory-inclusive performances, pre-visit guides, modifications to lighting and sound, a quiet room, remote viewing of the mainstage performance, noise-reducing headphones, and specialists at each event. 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 305-444-9293; actorsplayhouse.org.
AMC Sunset Place
The Sensory Friendly Film program allows kids to walk, sing, and move during select showings. The lights stay up, and sound is lowered. Programming occurs on the second and fourth Saturdays (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of each month. 5701 Sunset Dr. #300, South Miami; 305-740-8904; amctheatres.com.
Chuck E. Cheese
On the first Sunday of each month, locations across Miami-Dade open two hours early for Sensory Sensitive Sundays. Accommodations include lower volume, dimmed lights, and no animatronics. 8701 SW 124th Ave., Miami; 305-270-8716; 3805 W. 20th Ave. Bay, Hialeah; 305-826-0607; 20335 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. L-1, Miami; 305-936-0002; 18575 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami; 305-256-3886; chuckecheese.com.
HistoryMiami's Sensory Sunday programming includes modified lighting and sound and a sensory room.
HistoryMiami photo
On select dates, Sensory Sunday features modified lighting and sound, a sensory room, and support from local community organizations. 101 W. Flagler St., Miami; 305-375-1492; historymiami.org.
Miami Children's Museum
On the second Saturday of each month, the museum opens early for Sensory Friendly Saturdays, with accommodations including dimmed lights, reduced noise, and limited capacity. 980 MacArthur Cswy., Miami; 305-373-5437; miamichildrensmuseum.org.
Paradox Museum Miami
Sensory Friendly Saturdays, held the second Saturday of each month, include calming music, fidget toys, and covering exhibits that might be too bright or loud. 2301 N. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-614-3808; paradoxmuseummiami.com.
Frost Science's Just for Me backpacks include noise-reducing earmuffs, weighted blankets, and fidget toys.
Photo by World Red Eye/Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Just for Me, the museum's sensory-inclusive events, take place monthly with reduced lights and sounds. Backpacks with noise-reducing earmuffs, weighted blankets, and fidget toys are available for checkout at the museum's front kiosk. Social narratives are available online to prepare families for their visit. In 2023, Frost Science was recognized as an "Autism Friendly Partner" by the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University. 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-434-9600; frostscience.org.
Superblue Miami
This immersive art experience offers low-sensory sessions with mirrored rooms and digital walls that respond to touch. Quiet rooms and sensory kits with earplugs and sunglasses are also available. 1101 NW 23rd St., Miami; 786-697-3405; superblue.com.
Zoo Miami
A Certified Autism Center, Zoo Miami provides trained staff, quiet zones, and sensory backpacks with earmuffs, lap pads, and fidget items. 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami; 305-251-0400; zoomiami.org.
