Not every child fits the system We exist for the ones who don't

We build structured, safe, and supportive environments where neurodivergent children can grow, connect, and discover their own superpowers.

" We build structured, safe, and supportive environments where neurodivergent children can grow, connect, and discover their own superpowers."

The problem is not the child.
The problem is the environment.

Our mission is to create environments where neurodivergent children and their families feel supported, understood, and empowered. We believe that children thrive when the spaces around them are intentionally designed to meet their needs with structure, predictability, clarity, and genuine care.

At Superpowers Foundation, we focus on building inclusive spaces through movement, education, and community. Our programs use martial arts as a pathway for emotional regulation, confidence, and connection, while also offering families the knowledge and guidance they need to support their children beyond the mats.

We are committed to bringing high-quality information to the neurodivergent community  helping parents understand routines, sensory needs, communication, behavior, and the power of structured physical activity. When parents feel supported and informed, children grow stronger.

Our mission is simple and human

To nurture children, educate families, and build a community where neurodivergent individuals are understood, respected, and given the opportunity to shine.

We design our environments, programs, and teaching methods with intention. True inclusion does not happen by chance it is built thoughtfully, compassionately, and with purpose.

Who We Are

Superpowers Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting neurodivergent children  including autistic children and those with diverse neurological profiles  through structured, intentional, and inclusive programs.

We believe that every child grows best in environments built with clarity, routine, safety, and respect for individuality. That is why our work focuses on creating predictable and empowering spaces where children can move with confidence, regulate emotions, develop social skills, and connect in meaningful ways.

Our foundation combines structured physical activity, inclusive martial arts, and family education to strengthen the entire support system around each child. We are committed to bringing knowledge, guidance, and community to families who often feel overwhelmed or misunderstood.


⁠Structure that supports
growth

 

 


⁠Routine that creates
safety

 

 


Respect for each child’s pace and individuality

 

 


⁠Environments designed to empower, not overwhelm

 

 


Emotional connection that promotes autonomy and confidence.

 

 


Education that strengthens families and communities

 

 

We are more than
a program.

We are a community built on understanding, compassion, and the belief that every child carries a superpower and deserves a place where it can shine.

What They Face & How We Help

Neurodivergent children often enter spaces that weren’t designed for the way they learn leading to sensory overload, frustration, and missed opportunities.

We create structured, calm, and supportive environments that adapt to their needs, giving children the chance to grow, connect, and feel understood.

What They Face

Neurodivergent children often walk into environments that were never created with them in mind. Most sports, schools, and group activities rely on unpredictability, fast instructions, loud spaces, and coaches who are not trained to understand diverse neurological profiles.

This leaves many children overwhelmed not because they cannot participate, but because the environment was not designed for them.

Families also face challenges that go far beyond the activity itself:

  • ⁠  ⁠Sensory overload in noisy or chaotic environments
  • ⁠ Coaches unsure of how to support neurodivergent needs
  • ⁠  ⁠lack of structure, predictability, or visual guidance
  • ⁠  ⁠Expectations that clash with the child’s learning style
  • ⁠ Pressure to “fit in” socially without support
  • ⁠  ⁠Limited access to programs built for their child
  • ⁠  ⁠Lack of information, education, and guidance for parents
  • ⁠  ⁠High costs of multiple therapies and activities
  • ⁠  ⁠Not knowing where to go or who can truly help

    Many parents express how hard it is to find a safe space where their child is understood — not corrected, judged, or excluded.

And many neurodivergent families simply do not receive the information they need about nutrition, routines, sensory regulation, emotional development, physical movement, and daily strategies that help their child thrive.

How We Help

Superpowers Foundation was created to fill this gap. 

We intentionally design environments where neurodivergent children feel safe, calm, and supported. Our inclusive martial arts programs use structure, routine, clear expectations, visual cues, and individualized guidance to help children:

But our support goes beyond the child it includes the family.

We offer education, workshops, and guidance to help parents understand their child’s needs and feel equipped at home, school, and in daily life. We bring accessible information about routines, behavior, emotional regulation, nutrition, and practical tools that families often never receive.

We know that many neurodivergent families cannot access multiple therapies or specialized programs. Our goal is to create a space where families feel supported, informed, and empowered a place where children can reach their potential through structure, movement, and community.

Looking Forward:

We aim to expand our framework so more academies and community centers can learn how to welcome neurodivergent children with respect, predictability, and inclusion-by-design.

There is a hidden community of children who have nowhere to go  children who want to participate but don’t have access to programs built for them.

We are here to change that.

  • Build confidence
  • Regulate emotions
  • Strengthen motor and social skills
  • Improve focus
  • Connect with peers
  • Grow at their own pace

    Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident; it happens through intentional design..

By adapting environments, educating families, and training communities, we open doors for neurodivergent children to feel seen, supported, and empowered to shine.

Our Approach: How We Work

Our approach is built on structure, predictability, and a deep respect for individuality. 

We design environments that help neurodivergent children feel safe, understood, and confident creating the conditions they need to learn, connect, and grow.

Every choice we make is intentional, from the flow of the class to the way instructions are delivered.

Our goal is always the same: to create clarity, reduce anxiety, and support regulated learning through movement and connection.

Small-Group Inclusive Classes

We offer small-group classes designed specifically for neurodivergent children with diverse neurological profiles.

These groups prioritize:
-Predictable routines
-Clear expectations
-Visual and verbal guidance
-Minimal sensory overload
-Individualized pacing

Gentle emotional regulation strategies
Safe opportunities for social interaction

Our environments adapt to the child — not the other way around.

At the center of our work is
the M.A.M.A Methodology

A structured framework created to support neurodivergent children through step-by-step learning, visual support, and regulated movement.

The methodology is intentionally designed to help children understand what comes next, feel safe within routine, and progress through clear, simple, and predictable steps.

Key elements of the M.A.M.A. Methodology include:

Our fundamenta

Our fundamental movement block integrates intentional exercises that promote balance, coordination, body awareness, strength, and controlled movement all within a structure that is easy for neurodivergent children to understand. Nothing is random. Nothing is improvised. Every step is designed with purpose.The A.M.A. Methodology was developed through lived experience, years of direct work with neurodivergent children, and a deep understanding of how structure helps the brain feel safe enough to learnwithout overloading the child or overwhelming the family.

Community Education & Family Support

Our approach extends beyond the mat.

We work to bring trusted information to families through workshops, educational events, and community initiatives led in collaboration with professionals in related fields. These events offer guidance on routines, emotional support, sensory needs, communication, nutrition, and practical strategies for daily life.

When families feel informed and supported, children thrive even more.

Moving Together as a Community

Our approach is holistic. We focus on the child, the family, and the community  building pathways for long-term inclusion and helping more schools, academies, and community centers learn how to welcome neurodivergent children through structure, routine, and intentional design.

Because every child deserves a place where the environment is built for them.

Why It Works

Our approach works because it is built on evidence and lived experience.   

Research consistently shows that structured physical activity and adapted sports can support neurodivergent children in key developmental areas including emotional regulation, motor coordination, attention, confidence, social interaction, and overall well-being.

Neurodivergent children thrive when movement is intentional, predictable, and supported by clear routines. When the environment feels safe, the brain can learn. When the class follows a structured flow, the child can engage. When steps are broken down visually, the child can understand what comes next.

This is why our approach works  because it aligns with how neurodivergent children learn best.

Backed by Research, Designed for Real Life.

Studies highlight that:

We integrate

We integrate these principles into every class, ensuring children feel grounded, supported, and ready to learn.

A Foundation

We do not believe in quick fixes or “one thing solves everything.”

Our approach is one part of a larger support system. That is why we work to bring information, education, and updated research to the community through workshops and events on:

How We Help

When families understand the “why,” children benefit even more.

Progress You Can See

We measure progress through structured reports that track each child’s development over time.

Our coaching team respects each individual’s pace, profile, and support needs  including children with Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 support requirements.

  • ⁠ The environment
  • ⁠ The expectations
  • The instructions
  • ⁠ The pace
  • ⁠ ⁠The visual supports
  • ⁠The transitions
  • The social demands

     

Because every child deserves a system that adjusts to them not the opposite.

Structured environments help the brain feel safe, and safe minds are able to learn. Predictable routines build trust naturally, creating a solid foundation for development. That trust is what opens the door to real and sustainable growth. This is why our approach works: it is intentional, well-grounded, and thoughtfully designed with neurodivergent children in mind.

Where We Operate

Our programs take place in a calm, warm, and sensory-aware environment designed to help neurodivergent children feel safe, focused, and supported. Every detail of our space is intentional  simple, predictable, and created with their needs in mind.

A Place Built for Them

Our foundation operates in a dedicated, structured space located at:

1681 Amazing Way, Ocoee, Florida 34761

(on the border of Winter Garden and Ocoee)

The space is warm, welcoming, and intentionally simple, avoiding unnecessary visual distractions that can cause sensory overload. Soft lighting, clear layout, and organized mat areas create a predictable atmosphere that helps children feel calm and ready to engage.

The environment was designed with neurodivergent children in mind. The space is warm, welcoming, and intentionally simple, avoiding unnecessary visual distractions that can cause sensory overload. 

  • ⁠  ⁠Warm, comfortable lighting that feels gentle and safe

     

  • ⁠  ⁠Minimal visual clutter to reduce sensory overwhelm

     

  • ⁠  A clean, predictable layout that helps children understand where to go and what comes next

     

  • ⁠  ⁠Structured transitions between activities

     

  • ⁠  ⁠Acalm sound environment that supports regulation

     

  • ⁠  ⁠Spaces intentionally prepared for neurodivergent communication and pacing

Our environment is not busy, loud, or confusing.

It is steady, clear, and built to support regulation, focus, and comfort.        

This is where:

  • ⁠  ⁠Small-group inclusive classes happen
  • ⁠ Shildren practice structured movement
  • ⁠ Families attend workshops and community events
  • Neurodivergent children feel welcomed, understood, and safe

It is more than a physical space —

It is a place designed for them, with them in mind, every step of the way.

Founder & Director

A mother who turned her family’s journey with neurodivergence into a mission to support other families with compassion, structure, and hope.

Larissa Carvalho

Larissa Carvalho Santos is the founder and director of the Superpowers Foundation  a mission that was born inside her own home, shaped by her journey as a mother to three neurodivergent sons.

Before anything else, Larissa is a mother.

But she is also a healthcare professional: a licensed physical therapist in Brazil, specialized in respiratory physiotherapy through one of the country’s leading universities.

This clinical background gave her a sharp, compassionate, and informed perspective  something that became essential as her family received diagnoses such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, language processing disorder, and dysgraphia.

Born to Be a Champion The Story of Ronaldo Jacaré,
a story created to inspire children through her husband’s real-life journey of turning challenges into strength.

Larissa lives neurodiversity every day as a mother, a wife, and a professional. And through years of walking this path, something powerful grew inside her:
purpose.

She believes that God never places a dream in someone’s heart if that dream cannot be reached. Nothing in her life happened by accident. Every challenge, every diagnosis, every moment of uncertainty was preparing her for what she is called to do today.

Through her family’s journey, Larissa immersed herself in research, conversations with specialists, structured routines, trial and error, and every possible tool that could help her children feel capable, safe, and understood.

And in the process, she discovered a deep passion:
supporting families who feel lost, overwhelmed, or alone.

Larissa has a rare gift  when she looks into the eyes of a neurodivergent child, she sees what many parents cannot see yet.

She sees potential.
She sees strength.
She sees joy.
She sees life.

This is the heart of the foundation.
And the reason so many families feel welcomed, heard, and understood when they meet her.

She has felt fear, uncertainty, and even shame during her early experiences with her children’s diagnoses.
Today, she still feels fear sometimes because a mother’s love is made of courage and vulnerability. But she chooses to walk by faith.

She often tells her children:

“God never makes mistakes not then, not now.”

And she believes He equips, strengthens, and provides the tools we need, even when the path feels overwhelming.

Her prayer for other mothers is simple and full of love:

that in the middle of the chaos the emotions, the fears, the expectations, the unknown you never lose faith.

Faith in God’s care,
faith in His purpose,
faith in His love for you and for your children.

The Superpowers Foundation was born from all of this 
from the heart of a mother, the lens of a healthcare professional, and the purpose of a woman who turned her family’s story into a mission for the world.

“Everything I learned inside my home, I want to bring to other families.”

Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza

A world champion who overcame the limits of an unprepared system  and now uses his journey to inspire neurodivergent families.

  • Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza
  • Role as ambassador
  • Values of discipline, resilience, and transformation

Ronaldo “jacaré” Souza grew up hearing that he wouldn’t learn like everyone else. He was forgetful, impulsive, clumsy, and often called “dumb” by people who didn’t understand him.

What no one knew was that he had ADHD and dyslexia and that these differences didn’t mean lack of ability.

They meant he needed support that simply didn’t exist around him.

He was misunderstood because the environment was never built for him.

School was hard. Expectations were low.
And for a long time, he struggled to believe in himself.

What he did have was something that many neurodivergent children have: hyperfocus.

When he found jiu-jitsu, he poured all of that focus, energy, and determination into the mats. Not because the environment was designed for him it wasn’t but because his passion was stronger than the obstacles around him.

Through years of dedication, he became:

Championships & Achievements:

  • 🏆World Jiu-Jitsu Champion
  • 🏆UFC and MMA Champion
  • 🏆ADCC Hall of Famer
  • 🏆Respected entrepreneur and academy owner
  • ❤️A present, loving father and husband

     

His life became proof that a label never defines a child’s future lack of the right environment does.

Today, as a father of neurodivergent children diagnosed with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, language processing disorder, and dysgraphia, he sees his own story through their eyes. And he understands something deeper:

nothing in his past was accidental.
Every struggle, every “no,” every challenge shaped the purpose he carries now.

He believes that God gives every person a path and his path today is to help build the environment he never had.
A place where neurodivergent children are understood, supported, and seen by their full potential.

As Ambassador of the Superpowers Foundation, he stands with families to remind them:

•⁠ ⁠your child is not broken
•⁠ ⁠your child is not “less”
•⁠ ⁠your child is capable deeply capable
•⁠ ⁠and with the right environment, potential becomes visible

Jacaré’s presence brings credibility, strength, and heart to our mission.
He is not just a champion in sport 
he is a champion for neurodivergent children, for families, and for purpose.

Superpower isn’t having an easy path.

Superpower is walking your path with courage, faith, and heart.

Get Involved

Your support creates opportunities, builds community, and helps neurodivergent children grow in a safe and structured environment.

01

Sponsor a Child

Give a neurodivergent child the chance to join a structured, inclusive program designed just for them.

02

Become a Partner

Join us as a community partner and help expand education, programs, and outreach for neurodivergent families.

03

Become a Student

Families interested in joining our inclusive small-group classes can start here.

04

Become a Volunteer

Support our events, workshops, and community programs by offering your time, skills, and heart.

Make a Donation

He wasn’t misunderstood because of who he was.
Your contribution helps us offer structured programs, educational resources, and family support to the neurodivergent community.

Have questions? We're here to help.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Our Location

1681 Amazing Way, Suite 108, Ocoee, FL 34761

Email Address

contact@superpowersfoundation.org

Phone

(407) 885-2967

We build structured, safe, and supportive environments where neurodivergent children can grow, connect, and discover their own superpowers.

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