Hello everyone, my name is Andres Diaz and I’m a 24-year-old man with Autism. Being diagnosed with Autism hasn’t stopped me from achieving my life goals. I spent 13 years in the special education system, and I’ve overcome many challenges that I faced throughout my Pre K-12 years while attending school in the Clovis Unified School District.
Thanks to my parents and a strong support system, I have persevered throughout every obstacle that has been placed in front of me. I have recently reached my goal of earning my bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Fresno State. My parents have been such amazing advocates for me, and they have done everything they can to ensure that I got the help I needed. The challenges they faced in helping me through my education is why we need to address the special education system and make it more efficient for other families in need.
I believe that it is very important for other kids like me to have parents with a strong knowledge of the special education system. This knowledge can allow opportunities to open for their kids, and it can allow them to see what their kids can do in their educational careers. Some parents may not have a clear understanding of the special education system, and it can make teachers and staff mistakenly underestimate the child’s skills and abilities. Reaching my life goals after graduating high school was very important to me because I am seen as different from others. Graduating from a 4-year university was one thing I really wanted to accomplish since most of my friends and former classmates were planning on attending college at a 4-year university when they left high school. I wanted to do the same. If it wasn’t for my loving, supportive, and caring parents fighting for me, I wouldn’t have made it this far.
I strongly encourage parents who have kids with disabilities to push them to fulfill their dreams. I would advise other parents who have kids that are struggling with their education to try and fight for them to ensure that they get the help they need to succeed in both the classroom and in life. Education is very important, and it gives kids like me a chance to accomplish their life goals.
My advice to young people who are enrolled in the special education system would be to continue their dreams no matter how difficult the journey may be. The key to success and overcoming obstacles is to continue putting in your best effort and never give up on the things you set your mind to. Because my parents had knowledge of the special education system, it helped me achieve in school and allowed me to get to where I am today. I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors.
