SPECIAL REPORT: Raising a child with autism in the Imperial Valley
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – When a child is diagnosed with autism, the road ahead can be tough.
In Imperial County, where specialists and support systems are limited, that road can feel even harder to navigate.
Up until her son Matthew was about a year old, everything seemed typical, but something suddenly changed.
Gloria Brambila remembers a day in the kitchen when her Matthew tried to talk to her and in an instant, his voice was gone.
That moment marked the beginning of a new journey. A diagnosis of autism soon followed after a trip to San Diego.
For Brambila, it meant reshaping the future she had imagined for her son.
Matthew is non-verbal, but that doesn’t mean he can’t communicate. Brambila says he understands both English and Spanish, loves to be read to, and enjoys going out. But when he can’t express himself, he’s often misunderstood, and that can lead to emotional meltdowns.
One of the most effective therapies for kids with autism is Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA. But in the Imperial Valley, access is limited.
James Gonzalez, who works with Autism Support of Imperial County, says the problem comes down to a shortage of providers.
Without them, families face long delays just to get an evaluation, let alone start therapy.
Some families wait several months just to be seen. And for those living in outlying towns, the cost of traveling, sometimes to San Diego, is simply out of reach.
Despite all the barriers, Gloria refuses to sit back. She’s focused on building what her community lacks. She helped bring a sensory room to her son’s school, giving students a quiet place to regulate their emotions.
She also led the effort to have an ASL mural painted, helping classmates learn basic sign language and encouraging inclusion.
Everything she pushes for starts with her son in mind, but she says it’s not just for him. Once Matthew moves on, other children will benefit.
For Gloria, the fight doesn’t stop at the school gates, or at age 18. She’s working to create lasting support for children and adults with autism across the Valley.
Her story is one of determination, driven by the quiet strength so many parents like her carry. With limited resources, she’s giving everything she has and hoping that what she builds today makes the path easier for others tomorrow.
For local Autism resources you can visit the following websites: