Autism: Noemy and Michael, a story of love and sharing

Connecting and learning

My name is Noemy López, I'm from Bolivia and I live in El Alto with my two children, a 16-year-old daughter and Michael, who is 8. Shortly before he turned three, he was diagnosed with autism. It was the first time I'd heard of this disorder and at first, I felt confused. I didn't know what to do. It was very hard.

When he was little, Michael didn't speak and expressed himself through touch. When he turned 6, we had the idea of buying him a little chick to keep him company. As soon as he got it, Michael started interacting with us differently and establishing new bonds. He became so attached to the chick that he couldn't bear to be without it.

“One day, when I was playing with him, I heard him say ‘tweet, tweet’. Those were his first words! Later, I bought him other animals: a duck, a rabbit, a hamster, two parrots, a turtle, little fish... my house is now a little farm!”

Thanks to this chick, Michael began to make other animal noises and started to talk. Today, he holds entire conversations with other people.

Establishing links with other children

Michael was 4 years old in 2020 when a teacher contacted me. I don't know how she got my phone number, but she advised me to enrol him in school so that he could acquire the essential skills he needed for his life as a child and future adult. I followed her advice and signed Michael up for kindergarten. He is now enrolled in the mainstream school system, in which children with disabilities are required to have a tutor to help them in class. As I can't afford to employ someone, I'm the one who accompanies him.

“Michael has leadership qualities. In class, he always sits up front and when the teacher gives instructions, he stands next to her and explains to the other students how to do the exercises. I think he could become a teacher. I'd like that, and if it makes him happy, I'd feel proud of how far we'd come together.”

Today, Michael is in Year 4 and I still accompany him in the classroom although I can't go every day because of my job. I studied childcare and I've now opened a day-care centre for children, so I don't have as much time as I used to. He really misses school when we can’t go; the only thing he doesn't like about it is doing his homework.

Supporting and equipping parents

The teacher who called me that time also put me in touch with a group of parents of children on the autism spectrum. There, I got advice on how to get my son's disability recognised, addresses of doctors, etc. The group met until the start of the coronavirus pandemic. That same year, 2020, HI contacted me and invited me to take part in information and support meetings and workshops.

“I was given brochures with ideas for activities to develop with children on the spectrum, and from then on I continued to take part in the workshops. Through this support, I realised that I wasn't alone, that there were institutions specialised in supporting families and people with disabilities that could help us.”

This support helped me to understand that I should not be the only one shouldering all these responsibilities, and that the whole family should be involved in Michael's care. It was also somewhere where I could cry and let off steam, because I couldn't express what I was feeling at home. These workshops made me stronger, and I realised how much I could accomplish as a mother. This support helped Michael and me. It gave us a lot of independence and freedom.

HI’s psychosocial support

The “For better rehabilitation and health of children and adolescents in Bolivia” project ran until December 2024. It has enabled the training of some 500 health professionals to promote better patient care and the provision of equipment for mobile teams in 13 health centres. 734 people have received equipment to reinforce rehabilitation at home, and 314 parents have benefited from psychosocial support.

“This project has given families access to valuable information that enables them to improve their lives and those of the disabled people in their care,” explains Yarmila Franco, Service Quality Manager. “I think one of its greatest successes has been informing families and seeing them become agents of change. It's easier for them to demand their rights, make recommendations to improve services and help disseminate information themselves.”