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Karai Dojo asks Miami Lakes advisory meeting to add second weekly class for residents with special needs
Summary
Karai Dojo instructor Francisco Santander proposed moving an existing Monday martial-arts class to 4:30–5:30 p.m. and adding a second weekly 4:30–5:30 p.m. session to serve students with autism and other special needs; the board did not vote and asked for scheduling details.
Karai Dojo instructor Francisco Santander asked the Miami Lakes advisory meeting to expand a martial-arts class tailored to residents with autism and other special needs, proposing a second weekly session and a time change for the existing class.
Santander said the program has shown measurable progress in participants’ coordination, discipline and attention. “We’ve seen incredible improvement in better coordination skills, better discipline, better even attention,” he said during public comment and the new-business discussion.
The proposal would change the current Monday class from 5:30–6:30 p.m. to 4:30–5:30 p.m. and add an additional Wednesday 4:30–5:30 p.m. session at the Miami Lakes Youth Center (6075 Miami Lakes Park). Santander said six students have attended recent sessions and that the space could safely accommodate “another, usually, 5, 6” students depending on fire-department limits and setup.
Board members asked logistical questions about age ranges, enrollment limits and transportation. Santander said the program is open “from 11 to 101” in practice but that younger children can be harder to engage; he recommended a focus on ages 11 and up for the current class structure. He also described typical start times and traffic constraints around 4:30–5:30 p.m., and told the board he can adjust scheduling to reduce parents’ commute burdens.
No formal approval was taken at the meeting. A board member moved to approve a 4:30–5:30 schedule and a second weekly session, and others said they preferred to wait for final confirmation from municipal staff and facility scheduling. The board asked Santander to send his available time slots and openings so staff can confirm space availability; members said a final vote will occur after staff verification.
The discussion noted the program’s emphasis on nonconfrontational instruction and working with Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) to adapt lessons for students with sensory or behavioral needs. Santander said classes are recorded and shared with psychologists who consult on behavior strategies.
Next steps: Santander will provide the board and staff with his available time slots and current enrollment; staff will check the Youth Center’s availability and applicable safety/capacity requirements before the advisory group reconvenes the item for a final decision.
