What Does Autism Feel Like? From Niños Con Autismo: San Miguel’s Only Resource For Children With Autism

By Joyce Grenis, Board Member

Step inside this house for a moment. You’re in a room with the glare of sunlight coming in the window, causing reflections off the glasses on the table and the metal cooking pots. You feel the cool tiles beneath your feet and your two puppies are chasing around the house, nails clattering on the tile. You can smell the tortillas on the grill and hear the bubbling of the beans in the pot. Outside you hear a distant train whistle and much closer a water truck clattering by. Your friends are laughing and squealing outside as they try to catch one another. All these things are happening at the same time. If you are a child with autism, these sights and sounds can be overwhelming, even unbearable.

Autism is a type of neurodiversity where the brain simply works differently. It will manifest in unique ways. Because each case is different, each child needs a tailored therapy plan. (And every family of an autistic child needs support.)

With proper treatment, the potential within autistic children can be unlocked, so that many of them can thrive in today’s world. And that is the mission of Niños con Autismo.  The organization also provides workshops for parents to help them support their child’s treatment at home and an outreach program for children in rural areas

Every day, the organization recounts miracles large and small. Children with few words have expanded their vocabulary significantly to express themselves better. Children can now focus and learn in school.  Children can begin to manage their emotions. Children can now play with their friends. Children can tell their parents that they love them.

While currently at capacity, treating 50 children at their center in La Luz, there are 700 children and young adolescents in the greater San Miguel area who need help. To expand their reach, Niños con Autismo desperately needs more funding: for a car to take therapists to rural areas to treat children there, for materials to use in treatment, for scholarships and for land for a larger treatment center.

If you think you can help, please go to the donation page on the website: www.ninosconautismosma.org