Sandra Lugo, a guidance counselor at a high school in Brooklyn and a former teacher, has a 3-year-old son named Jaden who has autism. When she realized that her son needed help, she took action right away.

“By the age of two, Jaden was only talking in one or two word sentences and not interested in being around other children,” Sandra recalled. “His falling wasn't normal; he seemed not to hear me when I called his name. These were all eye openers, and I knew deep in my gut that my son needed help and I needed to act fast. I wasn’t prepared for the diagnosis. When he was evaluated, I was devastated and cried out of sadness, but I also cried out of relief because he was going to get the help he needed.”

Autism diagnoses among children of Latino descent have risen more than 90 percent since 2002, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released in December 2009.

While the reasons for this are multifaceted, Dr. Charles Cartwright, Director of the YAI Autism Center, identifies several factors that have contributed to this startling increase.

“There is now a broader definition of autism spectrum disorders, which results in more children getting the diagnosis,” Dr. Cartwright said. “Parents are also becoming more aware of the signs and asking more questions when going to the doctor and parents are more motivated to receive the diagnosis, which leads to greater access of services.”

While it is clear that there has been a significant increase in diagnoses among Latino/a children, the study does not confront the fact that many of these youngsters are falling through the cracks because of language and other barriers.

Central Park Challenge Video With Sherri Shepherd

Jaden now attends a YAI Network preschool and has made great progress. The Lugos were able to take proactive steps to help their son, because they are bilingual and familiar with the education system in New York.

Now Sandra and Jaden are giving back to the Latino community and the YAI Network. Earlier this month, Sandra spoke to other Latino families at the Latino Health Care Conference, sponsored by Premier HealthCare, a member of the YAI Network, and the Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies at the City University of New York. The Latino Health Care Conference brought together more than 300 Spanish-speaking families for a day of support and empowerment, helping to alleviate isolation and lack of information, as well as to break down some cultural barriers.

Jaden has the biggest job of all — he is helping to promote and spread awareness about this year’s YAI and Broadview Networks Central Park Challenge. Featuring a 5K run, 3K walk, children’s play area and live entertainment, the Central Park Challenge, which will take place on June 5, is the YAI Network’s largest community fundraising event of the year.

Jaden has his work cut out for him. The challenging economy and New York State’s budget crisis are taking its toll on YAI’s state-funded programs for people with autism and other disabilities. Currently, programs in Day Services and Residential — essential services utilized by hundreds of people with autism — are facing devastating cuts. The Central Park Challenge will help the YAI Network fill this gap.

When Jaden isn’t spreading the word about the Central Park Challenge, he enjoys playing sports, partaking in a game of musical chairs and watching the movie Happy Feet.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how much progress Jaden has made over the last few months. Thanks to YAI, my son now has the ability to have a conversation back and forth and tell me what he needs,” said Sandra.