Today we’d like to introduce you to Luciana Leo.
Hi Luciana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Argentina and moved to Miami in 2002 to finish my last year of high school at Coral Gables Senior High. At the time, I didn’t know a single word of English. Growing up, I always dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, but after high school, life took a different turn. Without residency or citizenship, college wasn’t financially possible.
I enrolled at Miami Dade College to study English and completed courses in phlebotomy and medical assisting to find better job opportunities, all while working at Taco Bell, my first real job. After earning my certification, I began working in healthcare and quickly discovered how much I loved caring for people. That experience inspired me to start pre-med courses with the dream of becoming a pediatrician.
Then life shifted again, I became a mother. I wanted to remain in healthcare while being fully present for my son, so I changed paths and began studying Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture. During that time, I started working with a pediatrician providing care to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
That was over 20 years ago, and I’ve never stopped. Every family, every child, and every story has taught me something new. Over the years, I opened my own practice focused on Acupuncture and Integrated Healthcare for individuals with ASD and related conditions, and co-founded We Coach Foundation, a nonprofit serving the special needs community in South Florida.
Three years ago, as my children grew older, I decided it was time to return to school and pursue the goal I set aside years ago; well, a modified version of it: to build an autism family practice in Miami. I am now 20 months away from becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. My vision is to provide comprehensive primary care for individuals with ASD and their families; because their health needs go far beyond the diagnosis.
Research clearly shows that individuals with ASD face higher risks of multiple health conditions, and yet preventive care remains limited. Most families pour all their energy into their child’s therapies and appointments, often neglecting their own health due to lack of time, resources, or respite care.
I want to change that. My goal is to build a space where families can receive compassionate, holistic, and preventive healthcare—where parents are supported, primary care is accessible, and the entire family’s well-being is prioritized. Because when families are healthy, individuals with ASD thrive.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. Moving to Miami from Argentina as a teenager without speaking English was one of my first major challenges; it was a steep learning curve both academically and socially. After high school, financial barriers made attending college impossible without citizenship or residency, so I had to find alternative ways to pursue my passion for healthcare.
Working my first real job at Taco Bell while taking courses in phlebotomy, medical assisting, and English at Miami Dade College was not easy, but it taught me the value of hard work, persistence, and resilience. I’ve always been a go-getter. I’m not a quitter. I give 100% to everything I do, even when I’m juggling a thousand things at the same time.
Later, balancing pre-med studies with becoming a mother was another challenge. I had to rethink my path while still wanting to provide care and make a difference in people’s lives, which ultimately led me to study Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture.
Even after starting work with children with ASD, I faced the ongoing challenge of learning how to best support each individual and family, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Over the years, building my practice, co-founding a nonprofit, and pursuing further education to become a Family Nurse Practitioner have all required perseverance, balance, and continuous learning.
Alongside my professional journey, my personal life has also been all over the place. I’ve had to start over many times. Navigating these parallel challenges, both personal and professional, has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying committed to my goals even when life takes unexpected turns.
My biggest inspiration is my mom. She instilled values in me that shape who I am today. I love helping others, giving even when I don’t have, and creating something out of nothing, just like she did. I’ve learned to make 24-hour days feel like 27.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My professional journey has always been centered around providing compassionate, holistic care to children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. I have been serving this community for more than 20 years and have had my own practice, Luciana Leo, for over 14 years.
In my practice, I specialize in supporting individuals with ASD and related conditions through personalized treatment plans that combine Eastern and Western medicine. My focus goes far beyond managing symptoms — I work to improve quality of life, promote growth, and support the entire family. Families trust me because I take the time to truly understand their needs, offer practical strategies that can be applied at home, and coordinate with other community providers to ensure continuity of care.
What sets my practice apart is the holistic, family-centered approach. I don’t just treat the individual — I support the family as a unit and build care plans that can be realistically integrated into daily life. As a Registered Nurse, I also provide specialized phlebotomy services for children and adults who may be scared, anxious, or have special needs that require extra time and compassion.
As an acupuncturist, I often use scalp acupuncture — something that initially surprises parents who believe their child may not tolerate needles. But most end up loving the sensation because it helps them feel grounded and calm. Many families come to me at a point when progress has stalled, behaviors have escalated, or traditional therapies are no longer effective. I often become the “last resource” on their list, and I take that role to heart. My goal is always progress, no matter how big or small. I focus on purpose, pride, self-esteem, and connection — because those are the foundations of growth.
Beyond my clinical work, I founded Scented, a purpose-driven business where every product has a purpose. All proceeds from Scented go back to the community and to the Scented Makers — the teens and adults with special needs who handcraft every item. The individuals who create our products are those who require ongoing support throughout their lives, and Scented gives them the opportunity to find pride, purpose, and belonging through meaningful work.
Scented is more than just a car freshener brand — it’s a movement that inspires connection, inclusion, and opportunity. Our goal is simple: to make cars smell good and hearts feel even better. Each car freshener is handcrafted by individuals with special needs who take pride in every step — from design and assembly to scenting and packaging. Through this work, they build real-world skills, confidence, and independence while contributing to something meaningful. Every product sold helps create and sustain work opportunities for teens and adults with special needs, and a portion of proceeds supports organizations that make a difference in the community.
At Scented, our members don’t work for a paycheck — they work for purpose, pride, and belonging. We believe in interdependence over charity, and in building a model of inclusion that empowers individuals and connects communities.
What I’m most proud of — both in my practice and in Scented — is that everything I do comes from the same foundation: purpose, compassion, and impact. Whether it’s through healthcare or business, my mission is to create spaces where individuals with ASD and their families can thrive, where inclusion is lived, and where meaningful change begins with small, purposeful acts.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always curious, creative, and independent. I loved exploring, asking questions, and figuring out how things worked — I was the kind of child who always needed to understand why. I was also very empathetic from a young age; I genuinely wanted to help people and make others feel better.
I spent most of my days playing with friends at our neighborhood club, Vélez Sarsfield — it was like our second home. Basketball was my world throughout childhood, and I even played during my senior year of high school in Miami at Coral Gables High. Despite not speaking any English at the time, I was the point guard of the team! I still laugh remembering how my coach made up hand signals for all the plays so I could call them during the games.
Even though I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, what truly defined me was my determination and my love for learning. Once I set my mind on something, I gave it my all. I’ve always been energetic, full of ideas, and constantly thinking of ways to make things better — my mind never stops. I always joke that if I ever win the lottery, Miami will become heaven for families with ASD! (Though I probably should start playing first before dreaming about winning.)
With time, I’ve learned that you can only help those who are ready to be helped — and that’s where I focus my energy now. Looking back, I see how that same curious, caring, and endlessly persistent girl grew into who I am today. That drive to learn, help, and create purpose for others is exactly what led me into healthcare and continues to guide everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lucianaleo.com and https://www.scentedforgood.com/
- Instagram: @luciana.leo.lac / @scentedforgood
