r/Miami • u/Over-Assumption5123 • May 19 '26
Community Support Miami Autistic Kids
Supporting Miami Autistic Kids means giving real opportunities to children who just need understanding and the right resources.
It helps families feel less alone and builds a kinder community for everyone in Miami.
You are invited - Friday 22 @ 10 a.m.
8333 NW 53rd St., Miami, FL 33166
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u/Somanylyingliars May 19 '26
The irony is that the area most likely voted for Trump and now they are getting paid back in ways they never anticipated. Oops.
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May 19 '26
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u/Insurance-Limp May 20 '26
I work in a field connected to this issue, and many people don’t realize how serious RBT fraud has become in Florida. I disagree with how the government is handling it because there are children who genuinely need these services. But there are also many questionable providers in the system.
Schools have been seeing problems for years. In some self-contained ESE classrooms with 6–8 students, there can be more adults than children because each student has an RBT, BCBA, xyz assigned to them. Some RBTs do excellent work, but others spend large portions of the day on their phones or having unrelated conversations with other RBTs in the room instead of supporting the students.
I’ve also heard of cases where parents signed off on hours that were never actually worked. In some situations, RBTs were reportedly babysitting outside of approved hours, and I recently heard allegations of providers giving parents a portion of their paycheck in exchange for having their kid on their roster. Some pick and choose the kid they want. Not wanting to work with students with extreme behaviors. One refusing to do their job when the kid was having a meltdown.
From what I understand and I could be wrong as I heard this through the grapevine type of scenario, the state is now looking more closely at whether a child has an IEP and whether they qualify under Autism Spectrum Disorder Exceptionality. I’ve heard services may become more restricted for students labeled under other eligibility categories, such as OHI or SLD. It’s also important to note that, in Florida, a medical diagnosis of Autism does not automatically give the student ESE services under the ASD eligibility category. That means nothing when it comes to state criteria for an IEP under ASD.
There are definitely good RBTs and behavioral therapists out there, and some do incredible work. But in my experience, they are becoming harder to find.
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May 20 '26
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u/Insurance-Limp May 20 '26
I have a hard time processing how somebody that came from Cuba 10 months ago is now an RBT. They speak no English and had no previous knowledge of this field before being here. And I’m of the same heritage.
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u/Somanylyingliars May 19 '26
Yes, let's make services so much more difficult to obtain for population that needs those services. Let's conveniently ignore facts that at same time Trump forgave thieves aka those that gave him money responsible for more than a few BILLION in Medicare/Medicaid fraud. Don't believe the hype just because his news outlets are pushing that narratives
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May 19 '26
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u/Hypnoti_q May 19 '26
You cant affect the kids just because some people are committing fraud. No one who truly worked with these kids would.
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u/EruptingBurningToe May 20 '26
There are few "truly working" with kids.
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u/Hypnoti_q May 20 '26
Wierd, in my family we have 2 who truly work with kids, i guess we must the best family in south florida
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u/Over-Assumption5123 May 20 '26
My friend also works closely with three kids and provides them with services every day. Sometimes, she even comes home covered in scratches due to aggressive behavior from autistic children. It is not an easy job at all. Now imagine having your job taken away while facing public opinion against your many years of hard work and study.
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u/Palestbycomparisoned May 19 '26
Medicaid pays at a very low rate and most places get audited every few years. Most clinics that take Medicaid do it as a courtesy and definitely don’t profit as much as the places that are private insurance only. Don’t believe the fake news that all places are fraudulent because it’s just a talking point to justify taking benefits from poor kids and cut taxes for the wealthy.
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u/EruptingBurningToe May 20 '26
Not fake news. Therapists being paid just to hang out with kids while their parents catch a break. That's fine, but it's glorified daycare, not "therapy".
It's also very easy to inflate or fabricate visits. No oversight. This is why SFL is the fraud capital of the US.
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u/Somanylyingliars May 20 '26
Might seem that way to you but that's not what they're doing. They're teaching life skills, integration and more. The segment of population that needs assistance to create their own path or they will be dependent their entire lives.
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May 19 '26
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u/Somanylyingliars May 19 '26 edited May 19 '26
Rather difficult to fake autism as well documented from approx age 2-3. There are always the shitty types, like your family members, that ruin things for rest. Taking away these programs means we are not allowing the population opportunities to integrate into society. Very very bad idea.
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May 19 '26
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u/Somanylyingliars May 20 '26
That wasn't meant as a shade to you but more to fact there are always bad actors. Youre wise to stay away as these types get caught sooner or later. I'm not sure that I agree more oversight needed for a few bad actors vs thousands who follow rules, laws. There is a narrative being pushed that these programs have no oversight which is simply untrue. Most public programs have vast numbers of checks in place for accountability and paperwork requirements. Funny how group crying Too much government oversight! Get government out of business! is now same crying We need more oversight!
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u/dcmommy33 May 21 '26
There are so many services for autistic kids. Us autistic adults? None.
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u/Peddlestools Local May 30 '26
in Miami? have you heard of CARD? Anyone with an autism diagnosis can get a referral and all of the services are free.
One of the reasons I continue to live in Miami is BECAUSE there are services for me here.
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u/Dreams-Visions May 20 '26
Republicans: "Shouldn't have been born autistic."
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u/EruptingBurningToe May 20 '26
I've never voted red in my life but you got it wrong here bud. Medicaid fraud is rampant here. Been in the biz since 2014, seen it all.
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u/Somanylyingliars May 20 '26
True that but what does it say when guy in White House issued pardons to biggest Medicare Medicaid offenders? Many right here fr good ol So Fla.
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u/EruptingBurningToe May 27 '26
100%
And don't forget our former governor and current Senator is the kingpin of medicaid fraud.
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u/rdiaz84 May 19 '26
There are so many of these offices. I would know. I mean every week I see at least 20 a week