AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER SPECIALISTS

Autism Therapists in Aventura, FL

Finding the right therapist for autism spectrum disorder in Aventura can feel overwhelming. The Mindful Network connects you with licensed professionals in northeast Miami-Dade who specialize in Autism Spectrum Disorder — offering therapy, counseling, and treatment. Browse 15 providers who understand your needs and can help you take the next step toward feeling better.

15 providers available

Autism-informed therapy and assessment

Therapy related to autism spans assessment, support for social and communication differences, help with anxiety or burnout, and guidance for families. Many providers take a neurodiversity-affirming approach — the goal is understanding and accommodating how an autistic person experiences the world, building on strengths, and supporting well-being, rather than changing who someone is.

Autism presents differently across individuals and ages, and many people, especially adults and women, are identified later in life. Some providers below offer formal evaluations while others focus on therapy and support; each profile describes what that provider offers, so you can find the right fit for you or your family.

Finding care in Aventura

Aventura is in northeast Miami-Dade, close to Sunny Isles Beach, North Miami Beach, and the Hollywood area to the north. Many therapists serving Aventura offer in-person and telehealth sessions. The providers below see clients in and around Aventura.

About these providers

This page lists 15 autism therapists in Aventura, including Diana Acevedo, Roseanne Lesack and Elis Rimeris. Their most common approaches include CBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Therapy and Parenting Programs. 12 offer secure telehealth in addition to in-person visits.

Beyond autism spectrum disorder, providers here also work with Anxiety Disorders, ADHD and Behavioral Disorders. Age groups served include Child, Adolescent, Young Adult and Adult. Services offered include Therapy, Psychological Testing and Gifted Evaluations. 15 accept insurance, most often Out of Network Benefits. 7 offer sessions in Spanish. Credentials among them include PsyD, PhD and LMHC.

Autism Therapists in Aventura

Showing 1-12 of 15 professionals

Aventura, FL
Diana Acevedo
Languages: English
Services
Speech Therapy
Specialties
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Socialization, Group +3
Diana Acevedo, M.S. CCC-SLP is a bilingual Licensed Speech Language Pathologist who received her Bachelor's degree from Purdue University and her Master's in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University. She has extensive experience working with a variety of speech, language, and feeding disorders in diverse settings. Ms. Acevedo has worked at the University of Chicago Hospital and the Craniofacial Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago and currently serves as the lead Speech Language Pathologist for the Craniofacial and Cleft Palate Program at Duke University Hospital. She has presented nationally and internationally in the areas of cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies, resonance disorders, velopharyngeal dysfunction, and feeding, including at the American Cleft Palate Association, Illinois Speech Hearing Association, American Speech and Hearing Association, the Mexico Congress for Cleft Palate, the Speech Therapy Seminar in Ecuador, and the South American Cleft Palate Congress in Brazil. In addition to her clinical and academic work, Ms. Acevedo has supervised graduate students from Teacher's College at Columbia University and Nova Southeastern University and leads the Social Pragmatic Program at Nova University's Speech Pathology Clinic. She is also a member of the Craniofacial Team at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. A graduate of the Intensive Social Thinking Clinical Training Program, she incorporates the Social Thinking methodology when treating individuals with pragmatic language and social communication challenges. At Pediatric Psychology Associates, Ms. Acevedo facilitates the SURF and PEERS social skills groups, provides individual therapy targeting social communication and pragmatic skills, and is a member of the MDDC team. She also works with adults, offering social skills training through the PEERS program, conducting speech and language evaluations and treatment for Vocational Rehabilitation, and providing fluency intervention, social skills and cognitive therapy. She sees clients across the Aventura, Boca, and Weston locations. More
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Aventura, FL
Roseanne Lesack
Languages: English
Services
TherapyPsychological Testing
Specialties
Anxiety Disorders, Behavioral Disorders, Eating Disorders +8
Dr. Roseanne Lesack has worked in the field of child psychology for over 10 years and specializes in child behavior and parenting. She helps children across the developmental spectrum and works closely with parents to address a variety of childhood concerns such as picky eating, sleeping, toileting, tantruming, and general behavioral problems. Dr. Lesack also provides therapy to children and adolescents focusing on behavioral, emotional, and developmental concerns. Dr. Lesack has spoken extensively about these topics across the country. She provides workshops and trainings to support parents and community providers to learn evidence-based tools to support children and families. Dr. Lesack is a Licensed Psychologist, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level (certified to practice ABA), and boarded by the American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. She is a trained provider of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for families with children exhibiting emotional dysregulation and defiant behavior. Dr. Lesack is also a trained provider of Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). SPACE is an evidence-based treatment developed at the Yale Child Study Center to work exclusively with parents to treat children exhibiting problems such as anxiety, phobias, OCD, and selective mutism. Dr. Lesack completed her doctorate at Fordham University in New York and completed her training through Emory University School of Medicine in the Severe Behavior Program at the Marcus Autism Center. After completing her training, she served as an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine focusing on treating pediatric feeding disorders. Upon moving down to Florida, Dr. Lesack was the director of the Mailman Segal Center Clinics at Nova Southeastern University, overseeing three specialty clinics: the Developmental Assessment Clinic, the Challenging Behavior Clinic, and the Feeding Disorders Clinic. Currently, Dr. Lesack is also an assistant professor at Regis College and trains master's level students in ABA. At PPA, Dr. Lesack works with children and their families via teletherapy. More
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Aventura, FL
Elis Rimeris
Languages: English
Services
Therapy
Specialties
ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder +9
Elis Rimeris, MS, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She holds a Master's Degree from Florida International University (FIU) and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a bilingual clinician fluent in English and Spanish. Her passion lies in working with individuals facing autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, anxiety, and social-emotional challenges. She facilitates the Social Understanding and Relationship Fundamentals (SURF) groups. Additionally, she has experience providing consultation services at the Headache Clinic in collaboration with NeuroNetwork Partners, offering Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to individuals dealing with chronic headache pain and anxiety-based disorders. Her diverse experience extends to The Social Cog, where Ms. Rimeris engages with patients of various ages, providing social skills training to foster the development of meaningful relationships. Ms. Rimeris is actively involved in collaborating with schools to provide essential support to teachers and students in managing behavior, social conflicts, and other socio-emotional concerns. She is committed to evidence-based treatment methods and extends her expertise to parents, offering tailored support for children dealing with ADHD, ASD, ODD, anxiety, depression, social skills deficits, among others. Ms.Rimeris works out of the Aventura location and also provides telehealth services. More
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Aventura, FL
Erica Cerrato
Languages: English
Services
TherapyPsychological Testing
Specialties
ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Difficulties +9
Dr. Erica Cerrato is a Licensed Psychologist providing comprehensive evaluations and evidence-based intervention for children and their families. She has specialized training and expertise in neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and learning disorders), disruptive behavior disorders (e.g., oppositional defiant disorder, conduct problems), anxiety disorders, and mood and emotional regulation challenges. Dr. Cerrato has extensive experience in diagnostic assessment and in the treatment modalities of parent/teacher behavior management training, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), cognitive-behavioral therapies, trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, social skills interventions, sleep interventions, and behavioral interventions for families in pediatric settings. Dr. Cerrato has research interests and scholarly publications in the domains of executive functioning, academic impairment, social impairment, and emotion processing, specifically as they relate to ADHD and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Cerrato received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Notre Dame, followed by a master's degree in education from Arizona State University and six years of teaching middle and high school students. She then earned her master's and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology at Florida State University. She completed her internship at the Texas Child Study Center at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, TX, and her postdoctoral fellowship at Florida International University's Center for Children and Families in Miami, Florida. Dr. Cerrato provides psychotherapy virtually and out of the Aventura and Boca offices. She conducts comprehensive evaluations at all of PPA's South Florida locations. More
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Aventura, FL
Lexy Jacobs
Languages: English
Services
Therapy
Specialties
Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Depression +10
Lexy Jacobs, MS, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She received her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida International University (FIU). While pursuing her degree at FIU, Ms. Jacobs completed her practicum and internship at Lippman Youth Shelter, where she helped facilitate SELF (safety, emotions, loss and future) groups with youth ages 10-17. In addition to the group program, Ms. Jacobs has provided individual therapy to clients of various ages, as well as family therapy with clients and their parents in emergency and crisis situations. Her populations of interest include working with individuals with anxiety, ADHD, depression, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, as well as individuals with social, behavioral and executive functioning challenges. She also works with children and teens on peer relationships, sibling/family relationships, self-esteem, body image issues, and overall wellness. Ms. Jacobs also provides psychoeducation to parents regarding behavior management and improving child/parent relationships, as well as psychoeducation for children and teens to help them understand themselves in an age-appropriate manner. Ms. Jacobs has clinical experience providing social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as applying ABA and Play Therapy principles in individual therapy. She co-facilitates the SURF program, as well as the summer camps and intensive PEERS Programs in South Miami. Ms. Jacobs also provides individual psychological services at the South Miami and Aventura office for clients with emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges More
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Aventura, FL
Veronica Serber
Languages: English
Services
Therapy
Specialties
Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder +9
Veronica Serber, MS, is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. She received a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Miami (UM). While pursuing her degree at UM, Ms. Serber completed her practicum and internship at Pediatric Psychology Associates, where she helped facilitate the Social Understanding and Relationship Fundamentals (SURF) groups and provided individual psychotherapy to children and adolescents. Ms. Serber also works with The Social Cog, a non-profit program that supports adults with autism and other developmental and social challenges. In this role, she provides social skills training and social-emotional coaching to help participants build meaningful connections and develop the skills needed to develop and maintain satisfying interpersonal relationships. Her populations of interest include children, adolescents, and young adults with anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and adjustment issues (divorce, grief, family conflict). Ms. Serber is committed to evidence-based treatment methods and has experience in various therapeutic approaches, including Social Thinking, behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and play therapy. She co-facilitates the SURF and PEERS group programs in Aventura. She works out of PPA's Aventura and Miami Beach locations, and provides services both in-person and via telehealth. More
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Aventura, FL
Maria Pia del Castillo
Languages: English
Services
TherapyPsychological Testing
Specialties
Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Depression +14
Dr. Maria Pia del Castillo is a Licensed Psychologist who specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. She has extensive experience providing evidence-based treatment such as Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) and techniques such as Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) and Mindfulness, which helps her cater to each of her patient's unique needs. Dr. del Castillo tailors these (and other) techniques for challenges related (but not limited) to anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), emotional regulation, depression, obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (OCD), behavioral issues, social difficulties, and family dynamics. Within social difficulties, Dr. del Castillo has significant experience working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental delays. Within family dynamics, she works collaboratively with families to help with martial difficulties and challenges associated with divorce and blended families. Dr. del Castillo also provides parent training. Dr. del Castillo strongly believes in taking a collaborative approach to each child's care, working closely with physicians, teachers, and the community to ensure optimal care. Dr. del Castillo received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University (NSU). During her graduate training, Dr. del Castillo provided individual therapy, group therapy, and comprehensive evaluations in various settings including Mailman Segal Center for Human Development: Starting Right Program, the Child, Adolescent and Family Services (CAFS) clinic at NSU, and here at Pediatric Psychology Associates (PPA). Dr. del Castillo completed her pre-doctoral internship at APA Accredited AHRC New York City, which is one of the largest outpatient clinics in NYC. Her internship focused on providing comprehensive services (individual therapy, group therapy, evaluations, etc.) to persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Dr. del Castillo's post-doctoral residency was completed here at Pediatric Psychology Associates focusing on Neuropsychology and evaluations under the supervision of Dr. Judith Migoya. Dr. del Castillo previously facilitated PPA's Social Understanding and Relationship Fundamentals (SURF) Groups for three years in both the Weston and Aventura locations. Dr. del Castillo is a bilingual clinician, providing psychological services both in Spanish and English. She also provides supervision for masters and graduate level students. Dr. del Castillo currently provides services in the Aventura location, both in person and virtually. More
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Aventura, FL
Bridget Davidson
Languages: English
Services
Gifted EvaluationsPsychoeducational TestingPsychological TestingTherapy
Specialties
ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavioral Disorders +6
Dr. Bridget Davidson is a licensed psychologist specializing in providing comprehensive evaluations and evidence-based therapy services in English and Spanish. She conducts a wide range of assessments, including developmental (through our MultiDisciplinary Developmental Clinic), psychodevelopmental, psychoeducational, and gifted evaluations. She has specialized expertise in neurodiversity across the lifespan, including extensive experience working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their families. She also specializes in working with children with ADHD, learning differences, behavior concerns, trauma, and anxiety. She partners with parents and school staff via consultation and coaching to use positive behavioral strategies in everyday interactions to promote healthy child/adolescent development. Dr. Davidson also frequently consults with parents, school staff, and other providers to coordinate treatment, educational plans, and support for children and adolescents. Dr. Davidson received her bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology and Studio Art at the University of Miami. She then earned her master's and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her residency and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development. Dr. Davidson was an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine before joining Pediatric Psychology Associates in 2020. She works out of our Aventura, Boca, and Weston locations. More
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Aventura, FL
Laura Grashow
Languages: English
Services
Therapy
Specialties
Anxiety Disorders, Depression, ADHD +16
Dr. Grashow (Rywell) is a licensed Psychologist and has more than 25 years' experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She treats Anxiety, Depression, ADHD (Attention and Executive Functioning Deficits), Autism, and Relational Difficulties in the context of Families and Parenting. Dr. Grashow also treats issues commonly faced by adolescents and young adults, including Eating Disorders and Addictions which are appropriate to weekly outpatient care. She places an emphasis on working with parents, teachers, families, schools and any extended or blended family members who are an important part of a child's life. Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Collaborative Problem Solving, Dialectical Behavior (Informed) Therapy, Somatic Psychotherapy Strategies, Behavioral Modification Strategies, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy are some of the various modalities Dr. Grashow employs. Therapy for each individual and family is always tailored to their needs and preferences, with the ultimate goal of improving clients' relationships, problem solving skills and achievement abilities, as well as emotional relief and stress reduction. Dr. Grashow is licensed in New York, Connecticut, and Florida. She currently serves as New York State Psychological Association, Representative to Council for the Cognitive Behavioral Division. More
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Aventura, FL
Yuri Flach
Languages: English
Services
TherapyPsychological Testing
Specialties
Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety Disorders +10
Dr. Yuri Flach is a multilingual Licensed Psychologist at Pediatric Psychology Associates. Dr. Flach earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees (Psy.D.) from Nova Southeastern University's Clinical Psychology Program. He has extensive experience providing individual and group therapy to children, adolescents, and adults, as well as diagnostic and intellectual assessments. Dr. Flach has provided psychological services in a variety of clinical settings, such as in Community Mental Health Centers, in a hospital in the capacity of consultation liaison and therapist, and in private practices. Dr. Flach has first and second authorships to articles in peer-reviewed journals pertaining to various topics including children/adolescents' emotional intelligence, suicidality in the homeless, and other mental health issues. Furthermore, Dr. Flach has specialized in working with children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and since 2019 been a therapist for The Social Cog, a non-profit organization with emphasis on helping young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder build social skills to create and maintain friendships. He is also active faculty for the College of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University, where he teaches students at the doctoral level. Dr. Flach is originally from Brazil and provides services in English, Portuguese, and Spanish using an integrative approach of evidence-based treatments such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Dr. Flach also received training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and has provided individual and group services to day treatment and adherent DBT programs. He specializes in treatment of adolescents and adults with a variety of conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, behavioral challenges, familial relationship conflicts, and social skills deficits. Dr. Flach sees patients in the Aventura and Weston offices, and also provides services virtually via telehealth. He is a PSYPACT-certified provider, allowing him to offer telehealth therapy services to clients in participating states. More
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Aventura, FL
Jessica Garcia
Languages: English
Services
Neuropsychological EvaluationsPsychoeducational TestingGifted EvaluationsTherapy
Specialties
Learning Difficulties, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder +6
Dr. Jessica Garcia is a Board Certified Child and Adolescent (ABPP) Psychologist who has been with PPA since 2007. She is licensed in Florida and specializes in the assessment of learning and attentional difficulties, autism spectrum disorders, emotional challenges, and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. She conducts comprehensive neuropsychological, psychoeducational, developmental, and gifted evaluations with children and adolescents to guide treatment and intervention. She also conducts psychological and neuropsychological evaluations with adults with neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental concerns. Dr. Garcia regularly provides community and professional presentations on a variety of specialty topics. Dr. Garcia completed her doctoral training in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University with a specialization in Neuropsychology. Her predoctoral internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital focused on the assessment of children and adolescents with a variety of neurological disorders. Dr. Garcia completed a post-doctoral residency with Nova Southeastern University's School Psychology Assessment and Consultation Center. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at Nova Southeastern University's Center for Psychological Studies, where she teaches Child and Adolescent Neuropsychology for advanced graduate students. She is a member of the Florida Psychological Association and the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Dr. Garcia conducts evaluations and consultations out of all of the PPA locations and via telehealth. More
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Aventura, FL
Brooke Frenkel
Languages: English
Services
TherapyPsychological Testing
Specialties
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD +8
Dr. Brooke Frenkel is a licensed psychologist providing evidence-based assessment and treatment for children presenting with a range of behavioral and developmental differences, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). She is also a trained provider of Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), an evidence-based program developed at the Yale Child Study Center to treat childhood anxiety and OCD exclusively through work with parents. Dr. Frenkel is deeply devoted to comprehending and addressing the individual needs of every child and family she works with. A cornerstone of her practice is her specialization in feeding therapy, through which she supports children and their families in navigating and resolving eating and nutritional challenges. In addition to her specialized work in feeding therapy, Dr. Frenkel also offers parenting sessions, enabling parents and caregivers to understand, support, and engage effectively with their children's developmental and behavioral needs. These sessions underscore the importance of a cooperative and informed approach, ensuring that children not only receive therapeutic intervention but also benefit from an understanding and nurturing home environment. Dr. Frenkel obtained her doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern University. She completed an internship emphasizing assessment and behavioral interventions for younger children, specifically those aged 0-5 enrolled in Early Head Start/Head Start of Miami Dade County. This formative experience further enriched her skills, as she collaborated closely with teachers and families. She also provides training and psychoeducation on various facets of childhood development, reinforcing her belief in the importance of a community-centered approach to child welfare. Dr. Frenkel provides telehealth services, school observations, and school on-site services, as well as services out of the Aventura and Miami Beach offices. More
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Frequently asked questions

Can I get an autism assessment in Aventura?: Some providers offer autism evaluations; others focus on therapy and support and can refer you for assessment. Check each provider's profile below to see which services they offer.
Do autism-informed therapists in Aventura accept insurance?: Many do. The “About these providers” section above summarizes insurance acceptance on this page, and each profile lists accepted plans.
Is online support available?: Yes. Many autism-related therapy and support services work well by secure video, and several providers here offer telehealth across Florida.
Which autism therapists in Aventura accept insurance?: 15 of the 15 autism therapists on this page accept insurance, most commonly Out of Network Benefits. Check each provider's profile below for the exact plans they take.

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