University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development

09/04/2026

We're proud to share that Project SALT (Self-Advocate Leadership Training) has been shortlisted for the Zero Project Awards 2027! 🎉

SALT was selected from 615 nominations across 94 countries, a tremendous recognition of the importance of empowering people with disabilities to lead, advocate, and create change in their communities.

We're incredibly grateful to the disability inclusion experts and peer reviewers around the world who recognized the power of self-advocacy and inclusive leadership.

Here's to building a future where people with disabilities are not just included, but leading the change. 🧡 💚

09/03/2026

Kicking Off the 2026 Football Season with Safety!

The University of Miami Concussion Program held their annual UConcussion Workshop with Miami-Dade County Public Schools athletic trainers and athletic directors, with support from the Miami Dolphins Foundation. Dr. Juan Pablo Solano presented on the medical management of concussion, while Dr. Jennifer Coto presented on coping with concussion and supporting students through recovery. Both presented on behalf of the Pediatric UConcussion Clinic, highlighting the importance of coordinated medical, emotional, and school-based support for student-athletes

08/26/2026

Bringing Ideas2Action!

We had a great time hosting our academic and community partners as we celebrated and reflected on five years of collaborative work to advance early-learning in Miami-Dade. Together, we have co-created and established Miami’s first integrated early-learning data model, merging child development and school-readiness indicators with community context.

This information helps us turn numbers into neighborhood-level conversations to better understand community needs, align resources, identify opportunities, and build kindergarten-ready communities for years to come.

This progress would not be possible without the collective work of all of our partners: University of Miami Psychology Department, University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development, Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center, Overtown Children & Youth Coalition, Behavioral Science Research Institute - BSRI, The Children's Trust, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Government, and Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe. It is what happens when community backbone organizations, academic researchers, and systems partners come together to co-design and drive systemic change to further school readiness for all children in Miami-Dade.

08/25/2026

Congratulations to Deborah Barbouth on receiving the NFXF Clinical Award!

This award recognizes dedicated and compassionate service to families in the Fragile X community. As director of Florida’s sole tertiary Fragile X clinic, Dr. Barbouth leads a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by Fragile X, while also advancing research, education, and innovative approaches to care.

We’re especially excited about her vision to expand services and support for individuals with Fragile X across the lifespan. Congratulations, Dr. Barbouth, on this well-deserved honor! 💚 🧡

Click here to read more about Dr. Barbouth and the Fragile X Clinic: https://fragilex.org/nfxf-programs/south-florida-fragile-x-clinic/

08/06/2026

Passion can make a powerful impact!

Inspired by her love of music, 16-year-old Peyton Schwadron organized Serve for Sound, a padel fundraiser benefiting the Debbie Institute at the Mailman Center for Child Development.

Her efforts raised $10,000 to support early intervention, education, and cochlear implant resources for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Thank you, Peyton, for making a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. 💚🧡

Read her inspiring story below:

Teen Peyton Schwadron raised $10,000 through Serve for Sound to support children with hearing loss at the Debbie School.

08/06/2026

As a new school year begins, preparation goes beyond school supplies, it also means supporting your child's emotional well-being.

Read this thoughtful back-to-school opinion piece by our CARD Director, Dr. Jennifer Durocher, on practical ways families can reduce stress and help children start the school year with confidence.

🔗 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/08/05/back-to-school-doesnt-have-to-mean-back-to-overwhelmed-opinion/

08/05/2026

Dr. Daniel Armstrong recently collaborated with The Children's Trust on a guest article highlighting the critical role of prevention and early intervention in supporting children and families.

Drawing on more than three decades of experience, Dr. Armstrong discusses how evidence-based parenting and family support programs, including Families First and Parent Club, help strengthen families before challenges become crises.

The article emphasizes that investing in prevention creates lasting, often unseen, benefits for children and the community.

Read more in the article below:

' ... parenting is one of the most important jobs anyone will ever have, but it does not come with an instruction manual.'

07/30/2026

The University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development and Center for Autism and Related Disorders CARD have launched the Batchelor Bridge for Autism Grant Program to support innovative autism research, collaboration, and improved care.

Made possible by The Batchelor Foundation, Inc., the initiative will fund projects advancing screening, intervention, family support, and systems of care.

Learn more: https://news.miami.edu/philanthropy/stories/2026/07/batchelor-bridge-for-autism.html

ID: A young child wearing glasses and a blue camp T-shirt sits closely with an adult in a classroom, making warm eye contact as they talk. Photo: Vanessa Castaneda/CARD

07/30/2026

Yesterday, we honored three extraordinary members of the Mailman Center family as they begin their well-earned retirement: Dr. Walter Lambert, Dr. Alan Delamater, and Kathleen Vergara.

Through decades of dedication, compassion, and leadership, each has made a lasting impact on our patients, families, students, colleagues, and the future of developmental medicine. Their commitment has shaped countless lives and strengthened the mission of the Mailman Center.

Thank you, Dr. Lambert, Dr. Delamater, and Kathleen, for your remarkable service, unwavering passion, and the legacy you leave behind. While you will be greatly missed, your influence will continue to inspire generations to come.

Please join us in congratulating them on this incredible milestone and wishing them the best in their next chapter! 🧡💚

07/21/2026

Lasting change starts with dedicated advocates who meet children where they are.

For nearly 30 years, Twala Kelly, LCSW, has dedicated her career to advocating for children and families across South Florida. Through the University of Miami School Health Initiative, she has spent the past 24 years providing school-based mental health services, supporting students facing academic, emotional, and social challenges while mentoring the next generation of social workers.

Her unwavering commitment to expanding access to quality care and empowering children, families, and communities was recently recognized with the Excellence in Direct Service Award from The Children's Trust Champions for Children Awards.

Learn more about Twala Kelly’s inspiring work and the lasting impact she continues to make in the lives of Miami-Dade students and families at the link below.

Twala Kelly is a Florida-licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and...