CLEVELAND — Navigating an autism diagnosis can be challenging even for the most determined advocate. Add to that a language and cultural barrier, and finding resources can become exponentially more difficult.

What You Need To Know

  • A nonprofit helps connect families with resources and offers a Spanish helpdesk

  • Hispanic families can face many barriers to support, including a language barrier

  • One mom went to the nonprofit when she needed it after he son had been diagnosed

“The first time I hear the word ‘spectrum’ I said, ''let me Google it. I don’t know what that means,'” said Maria Paula Bozoklian.

She said became concerned about her son when he was 1.

“He wouldn’t look at us when we were calling his name. He was moving his hands,” she said, moving her hands in a flapping motion.

 Her son, Landon, was diagnosed with autism when he was 2. She said she was worried at first.

“But then I said, instead of me worry, let me start working on the resources that I need,” she said.

Bozoklian’s first language is Spanish. She said she's blessed to speak English well enough to navigate all the things that come along with a diagnosis, from finding resources to setting appointments. But said others aren’t as lucky.

“For somebody who struggles with the English language, it’s more difficult to obtain resources," she said.

Bozoklian reached out to Milestones Autism Resources. The nonprofit connects families with resources and offers a Spanish helpdesk.

“We were lacking in diagnosis for these families, so we started to educate people,” said Michelle Mejia, helpdesk coordinator with Milestones.

She said the first challenge Hispanic families face is the language barrier.

“The providers don’t provide interpretation services so the communication itself is very difficult,” Mejia said.

She said other challenges are cultural perceptions and the stigma that may come with a diagnosis.

“It may not be well understood or recognized in the Hispanic community, not because they don’t want to; It’s because they don’t understand,” Mejia said.

She said there are numerous barriers Hispanic families face, from immigration concerns and not wanting to give out personal information, distrust of professionals, feeling misunderstood or discriminated against, the complicated nature of navigating health systems.

“There’s a lot of barriers. We’re trying to fill those gaps," Mejia said.

Landon is now in 2nd grade. Bozoklian said he’s thriving with the support he receives, and she herself has come a long way in understanding her son’s diagnosis.

“After nine years of dealing with autism, ’spectrum’ is one my favorite words to say,” she said with a smile.

Milestones Autism Resources also helps families understand their rights and teaches them how to access translation services. For more information, you can log onto milestones.org.