Meet Paul
When Paul was born, he was developing typically and meeting all his milestones. But at 15 months, he experienced a sudden regression and stopped talking and playing. Although Kristi and her husband, Oscar, “knew nothing” about autism at the time, they were able to begin early intervention services when Paul was 18 months old. Four months later, he received his diagnosis.
To support Paul’s needs, Oscar left his job to become his full-time caregiver while Kristi attended school full-time studying education and managed the apartment building where they lived. The financial strain eventually forced the family to file for bankruptcy, but they remained focused on giving Paul the support he needed.
Now 10, Paul is nonverbal but communicates his wants and needs through an AAC device, which his family says has made a tremendous difference. He is well-liked at school and brings positivity to those around him.
Inspired by her son, Kristi is now in her first year of teaching special education for grades 1–3 while pursuing her master’s degree at Cal State San Bernardino. “I went back to school to better understand Paul because I needed to be his advocate and it led me here,” she says.
The family, including Paul’s 8-year-old sister, Elliana—oldest sister, Alyssa, 20, is away at college, also studying to be a teacher—participated in the Every1 With Autism Belongs campaign to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder.
“There are so many levels of autism,” Kristi says. “People often think of someone who is quirky or different but there is profound autism, too. It doesn’t have to be scary. Paul will need care for the rest of his life. I cried the day he was diagnosed. But being around him is a beautiful thing. He brings joy and light everywhere he goes. He’s the only person I know who wakes up smiling and happy to be alive every single day.”