Welcome to Santiago & friends!
Creating a world for kids to thrive and grow
With love, we can do all things
Your child’s journey matters — and at Santiago & Friends, we understand how important it is to get the right support from the very beginning.
Founded out of a family’s firsthand experience navigating an autism diagnosis, Santiago & Friends was created to close the gap in services — especially for families seeking culturally and linguistically responsive care. What began as a vision to better support children with autism has grown into a trusted center and academy serving Central Florida families with compassion and purpose.
Too many families face long waitlists, limited options, and one-size-fits-all approaches. Our mission is to change that. Through individualized, ABA-based education and therapy, small classroom settings, and close partnership with parents, we provide a structured and nurturing environment where children can build skills, confidence, and independence.

We believe in:
Meaningful growth — children with autism learn best when they feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore, communicate, and build skills in ways that honor how they experience the world.
Strong foundations — we create routines and activities that support language, number sense, teamwork and independence.
Heart-felt care — every child is known, valued and encouraged by teachers who listen, respond and celebrate each milestone.
Who we are
Founded by a family impacted with autim, with years of experience autism-related services, and a passion for nurturing potential, Santiago & Friends was created to answer one important question: how can we ensure children with autism receive support that is structured, compassionate, and truly meaningful from the very start?
Marytza Sanz
Founder, President/CEO
Marytza Sanz is Santiago’s grandmother and the founder of Santiago & Friends, inspired by her family’s autism journey to create compassionate, culturally responsive support for children and families.
Marucci Guzmán
Executive Director
Marucci Guzmán has a background in public administration and helps guide the organization’s strategic growth, operations, and community partnerships, ensuring families receive high-quality, mission-driven services with integrity and purpose.
Jasmin Elicier
Director of Operations
Jasmin Elicier serves as Director of Operations, overseeing daily center performance, staff development, and compliance. She ensures operational excellence while supporting teams to deliver consistent, high-quality services to families.
Tracy Boyd
Clinical Director
Tracy Boyd is the Clinical Director, spearheading ABA clinical fidelity across centers. She leads supervision, training, and program oversight, ensuring evidence-based practices drive measurable progress and meaningful outcomes for every child.
Still have questions?
Feel free to reach out - we'd love to connect and answer any question you may have.