Florida International University autism experts Dr. Angela Tejeda, Jeffrey Jarvis, and Jessica Gamarra gathered at the university’s Deuxième Maison on April 9 to celebrate Autism Awareness Day.
The event brought together psychology students, caregivers, and specialists to discuss the challenges faced by those on the spectrum and the resources available to support them.
“It takes a village to raise a child,” Jarvis, a psychologist, captures the evening’s central message.
He emphasized that raising a child with autism is rarely a journey anyone can navigate alone, and that building a strong network of professionals, family members, and community support is essential for both the child’s development and the caregiver’s well-being.
Tejeda and Gamarra echoed that sentiment, touching on the psychological toll caregiving can take without proper support systems and highlighting local and national resources available to families.
The event closed with an open dialogue between students and panelists, leaving attendees with a deeper understanding of autism and a renewed sense of shared responsibility.
