A visit to a health clinic can be overwhelming for anyone, but for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the experience can present additional challenges, from sensory sensitivities to unfamiliar routines. A new partnership between the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University and the UHealth Clinic at Walgreens is working to change that.
Through CARD’s Autism Friendly Initiative, all 10 UHealth Clinic at Walgreens locations across South Florida have earned an autism-friendly designation, reflecting a commitment to creating more inclusive, supportive health care environments. The initiative is part of CARD’s mission to help communities better understand and support individuals with ASD and related disabilities. By providing training, consultation, and practical strategies at no cost, the program supports businesses and organizations in creating more welcoming, compassionate, and accessible spaces for people with ASD.
“This is really about helping our community be more equipped to support individuals with autism and their families so they feel welcome, understood, and included,” said Diane Adreon, division director of the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition & Adult Programs at CARD, who has been with the center since its founding in 1993.
Over the past three decades, the understanding of autism has evolved significantly, Adreon explained. Once viewed narrowly, autism is now recognized as a broad spectrum made up of individuals with a wide range of communication styles, cognitive abilities, and support needs. As diagnoses have increased—ASD rates are now estimated at roughly 1 in 31 children in the United States—so has the need for inclusive spaces across everyday environments, including health care settings. That need prompted leaders at the UHealth Clinic at Walgreens to seek out CARD, which is part of the Department of Psychology at the College of Arts and Sciences.
“It came from a desire to be as welcoming, inclusive, and considerate as possible, building on the training our nurse practitioners have previously received,” said Sarah Flory, director of clinical operations at the UHealth Clinic at Walgreens.
CARD’s approach was a natural fit for that vision, as its Autism Friendly Initiative is designed to build on the resources that organizations already have in place.
For the UHealth Clinic at Walgreens, the process began with site visits, during which CARD specialists assessed the physical layout, as well as constraints and opportunities for adaptation. From there, CARD designed a comprehensive training for staff across all locations, equipping them with strategies to better understand and support patients with autism. The clinics also introduced “CARD kits”: small boxes with sensory-friendly items, visual communication tools, and calming activities to support patients during visits.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that being autism-friendly means completely changing your environment,” Adreon said. “It’s really about gaining knowledge, being more aware, and making thoughtful adjustments where possible.”
The UHealth team also developed a detailed “social narrative,” a visual guide that prepares patients and families for what to expect during a clinic visit. The narrative walks patients through each step—from entering the Walgreens store to checking in, waiting, and receiving care—using simple language and images to reduce uncertainty and anxiety. For example, the guide explains that the store may have bright lights and noise, reassures patients that it is okay to feel nervous, and outlines common procedures such as temperature checks and blood pressure readings in clear, step-by-step terms.
“It’s about preparation,” Adreon said. “When individuals know what to expect, it can make a significant difference in how they experience care.”
For CARD, the UHealth Clinic at Walgreens designation marks one step in a broader effort to expand autism-friendly environments across South Florida and beyond. So far, CARD has worked with 20 organizations and businesses to help them achieve the autism-friendly designation, including the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and Miami International Airport.
“People with autism live in our communities and interact with many different systems—health care, education and employment,” Adreon said. “Partnerships like this one help ensure those systems are better prepared to meet their needs.”
With each new partnership, CARD advances its vision of building a more inclusive and informed community.
