Our Mission

In Mikale’s early childhood, I his mother Delores struggled to understand why he was not meeting expected developmental milestones. I watched closely, hoping he would catch up, questioning how his future looked, and searching for answers. Eventually, I scheduled an appointment with his pediatrician who gave me a referral to have him evaluated. Mikale was later diagnosed with non-verbal autism by a psychologist from the San Gabriel Regional Center in 1996. 

Mikale’s early years were filled with challenges. I watched Mikale struggle to communicate basic needs while the world around him moved quickly and offered little patience. Everyday tasks required planning, repetition, and constant awareness. Public spaces were unforgiving. Schools often lacked understanding. Systems were not designed for children like Mikale or for parents navigating care alone. I learned quickly that advocacy was necessary. If I did not speak up and persist, Mikale would be overlooked.

There were moments of grief, frustration, and deep fatigue, alongside moments of progress, connection, and quiet victories that only a parent on this journey truly understands.

Advocating for Autism grew directly from these lived experiences. It was shaped by hospital visits, Individual Education Plans (IEP) therapy sessions, financial strain, and emotional burnout. 

I understand what it means to advocate while tired and to love fiercely while feeling overwhelmed at times. Advocating for Autism exists to provide understanding rooted in lived experience and to push for access, dignity, and support for families who are too often left to navigate autism alone. This journey is ongoing, honest, and driven by resilience, love, and the belief that children and adults like Mikale deserve to be valued and supported.