SAN ANTONIO – Herlinda Trevino was distraught when her 3-year-old son, Joelle, was diagnosed with autism.
Trevino was later overwhelmed because she had no idea where to find help for Joelle and herself.
She finally found the help she needed from the nonprofit organization, Any Baby Can.
Trevino said the nonprofit changed her life.
Any Baby Can helped Trevino with resources and the realization that despite Joelle's developmental delays, nothing was wrong with him.
"You're not supposed to treat them different. You're supposed to treat them just like everybody else," she said. "Give them the special attention. And I learned how to do all that."
Even though Joelle, who is now 11, can only use three or four words in a sentence, Trevino said that doesn't hold him back from expressing what he loves.
"My son loves computers and vehicles. He can tell you anything about a vehicle, make, model," she said.
Trevino said that perhaps the best help she received from Any Baby Can was getting connected with other parents who are also raising special needs children.
"When I see people that have kids like this, I always tell them, 'Any Baby Can will help you. Just call,'" she said. "I don't know where I would be without Any Baby Can."
Trevino gives back to the organization by supporting Any Baby Can's Walk For Autism, which is held annually during Fiesta.
The event will be held Saturday with a Superhero 5K at 8 a.m. followed by the walk at 9:30 at the Helotes Cornyval grounds.
The first 4,000 people will get a free Fiesta medal.
Click here for more information on Any Baby Can and for the Walk For Autism.
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