My name is Luis Aponte, and I am originally from Venezuela. I have been married since 1997 and have two sons—one is 14 years old with non-verbal severe autism, currently attending Del Mar High School in a Special Education classroom, and the other is 23 years old with high-functioning autism, currently studying at San Jose State University.

I hold a degree in Computer Science Engineering from my home country and currently work as an IT Compliance and Advisory Manager in the Bay Area. Recently, I completed the Parent Helping Parents, Parents for Change program, and I am eager to continue learning how to advocate for children with special needs, particularly those from non-English-speaking families. As a Hispanic family, we have encountered various challenges within the medical and educational systems, often finding it difficult to navigate and access the appropriate services for our sons.