As a Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities (LACCOD), I was honored to share remarks during an Autistic Pride Day webinar hosted by the L.A. Found team at the Department of Aging and Disabilities on June 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

The session, “Keeping Our Communities Safe: Wandering Prevention & Support for Individuals with Autism and IDDs,” brought together the National Autism Association, the Department of Mental Health, and Aging and Disabilities to explore how coordination among systems—policy, health, education, and community—can prevent harm and foster dignity.

“Every person deserves to be safe and included without shame or stigma. Families should never feel alone—it’s a shared responsibility that involves all of us.”

Autistic Pride Day reminds us that disability is not something to fear or fix. Neurodivergent people bring unique strengths and deserve to be celebrated, not silenced or stereotyped by misinformation.

As a parent and Commissioner, I remain committed to advocating for awareness, funding, and inclusion so every person, regardless of ability, can live safely and freely in our communities.

Swipe through for moments from our recent LACCOD meeting, our visit to Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, and the L.A. Found webinar—each highlighting the collective effort to build systems grounded in compassion, collaboration, and respect.

Interested in bringing this kind of dialogue to your organization or community? Let’s connect and explore ways to build systems rooted in equity and inclusion.