Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation

08/24/2026

Save the date: September 29 at Tampa City Hall, we will be having a community idea gathering meeting on how we can collectively as a community combat the high rates of those with Autism and disabilities drowning.

Even though about 1 in 25 children have Autism, children with Autism account for more than 1 in 5 drowning deaths.

This is a community information gathering session where we will be listening to representatives of different advocacy organizations, as well as everyday activists and moms, dads, and others with family members who have Autism or are disabled.

Commissioner Harry Cohen, representing the county, and I, representing our City of Tampa, will be working together on a City and County strategy on how to best prevent these terrible tragedies involving our most vulnerable.

All elected officials, Republican and Democrat, are welcome and encouraged to come. It’s all hands on deck for this population. 

Florida Autism Center of Excellence CARD-USF Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation MacDonald Training Center LaVoy Exceptional Center Hillsborough County Special Education PTA Get Set Therapy, LLC City of Tampa Down Syndrome Association Of Tampa Bay Friends - Down syndrome/Special needs 10th Annual Rotary Cycling for Autism Tampa Tampa Police Department Tampa Firefighters Local 754 Tampa Fire Rescue Hillsborough Firefighters

08/07/2026

Today, LAAF’s board president delivered some equipment to Morgan Woods Elementary School, the first of two sensory classroom projects, we’re doing for the 2026-27 school year. Thanks to our partnership with Vanguard Attorneys who help make this vision possible and helped us support ESE students and their dedicated educators. Check back soon for pictures of the completed sensory room!

07/21/2026

In partnership with Vanguard Attorneys, this year LAAF is proud to be able to support two, Title 1 schools in Hillsborough County by providing much needed items to enhance sensory rooms and calming spaces for our neurodivergent students. We are proud of this project that will help our children have a safe and calming space in school, to support emotional regulation and help them channel their energy toward focused learning, communication, and social participation

07/11/2026

Come out tomorrow, Sunday for the support meeting for parents and caregivers of persons with intellectual disabilities and special needs. They will be discussing steps that families and households can take for hurricane season and preparedness.

06/30/2026

Save the date for our next caregiver and parental
support group for people with special needs and intellectuals disabilities: July 12

06/21/2026

04/08/2026

Different? Perhaps. But CERTAINLY not less. The first “Autism Awareness” event our family participated in was almost 20 years ago. Since then there have been shifts and necessary evolutions within the ASD community and society as a whole. The focus has moved towards acceptance and visibility instead of just awareness. But there’s still so much work to be done. At LAAF, we are proud of the sensory friendly events and initiatives that we have provided the Tampa Bay community for over 15 years, and we hope to continue doing so for years to come.

01/23/2026

Good to know for anyone considering taking their kiddos to the Gasparilla Children’s parade this weekend -

01/13/2026

This is AUsome!
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01/03/2026

🎧✨ Get ready to dance your heart out at the Silent Disco—a fun & sensory‑friendly way to enjoy Fiesta by the Bay 2026! 💃🕺
🌟 Put on your headphones, choose your vibe, and join us on the dance floor for an unforgettable night.
🎟️ Tickets are going fast—grab yours now: https://usf.to/FiestaByTheBay