LaKevia Keller started the Autism Awareness Month Celebration events in Stockton four years ago because she noticed a lack of resources and support for her son and other autistic community members.
On Saturday, more than 100 people filled a Stribley Community Center for the fourth annual celebration hosted by her organization, Autism Families of Stockton. Families played games, met with service providers, chatted with police officers and shared stories with other community members with an autistic family member.
“I just noticed that it wasn’t anything like this to celebrate autism, no big events like this going on and stuff,” Keller said. “And so I just created it, and it’s been a great turnout every year. It gets bigger and bigger.”
Keller, a kindergarten teacher in the Stockton Unified School District, said she was motivated by her son Vincent Baker III. Now 9 years old and nonverbal, Vince was diagnosed as autistic just before his second birthday. Keller wanted a space where families could connect, learn practical tips and feel less alone.
“It can get hard, and it’s just a little easier when you have people who you can reach out to, who can help you and give you tips and advice and can just understand where you’re coming from,” Keller said. “The goal of this is just to build community and friendships and support.”
Esmeralda Huizar has two autistic grandchildren and expressed her gratitude for the community Keller had helped cultivate.
“Both my grandchildren are autistic, and I just think it’s great when the community has events like this, and we’re very appreciative and to bring awareness, because, there’s a lot of ignorance out there that people don’t comprehend what autism is or aren’t very sympathetic for people with high support needs,” Huizar said. “It would be great if there were more resources out there available to families. I believe it needs to be given a higher priority.”
Stockton Unified School District Trustee Patrick Martin said he works with autistic students and better understands the need for community resources.
“These events are valuable to the families, because we don’t have things like this right now,” Martin said. “Autism is one of the biggest conversations in the nation right now, and a lot of people don’t understand how important it is to share these resources and show support for our parents who have autistic students. And so I believe in supporting these events, especially being an ABA (Applied Behavioral Analyst) therapist and a paraprofessional for STEM students.”
The free event included games such as velcro-ball dart tosses, coloring activities, jump rope and other hands-on stations. Vendors included ABA Therapy providers, self-determination support organizations and the Stockton library.
Keller made a point of inviting the Stockton Police Department. She explained that many families worry about how first responders will interact with their loved-ones with high support needs, and if officers may misinterpret their behavior.
“It’s very important for the police to be here to give parents’ comfort in knowing that the police are on our side,” Keller said.
SPD officers were handing out pamphlets for the Your Way Registry. The registry is a record the police department is compiling of Stockton residents with mental illness, neurodevelopmental and physical disabilities. By collecting and maintaining the data on these residents, the police department says their dispatch can warn officers in advance if they need to make accommodations.
After being registered, those who participate will be issued a decal to mark the front of their homes and their car.
Her mother, Linda Knight Logan, said the event has grown steadily since its small start in 2022. Different families and nationalities now attend, she noted, and the day gives parents a chance to relax while children play.
“Everybody’s story is different, and everybody’s kid is different,” Logan said. “It’s for the kids, a chance to run around, have fun, the parents to get a break, eat food, learn about it, share your stories.”
Autism Families of Stockton is registered as a nonprofit corporation with the state but is still working toward full federal status, Keller said. The group relies on personal funds, GoFundMe donations and volunteer help from family and friends.
Keller hopes to expand beyond the annual event to include gatherings for holidays such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Easter once funding is more secure.
Attendance this year reached about 105 people, according to organizers. Keller said she saw families catching, sharing updates about their children and forming connections.
The event remains open to everyone, including families without autism diagnoses.
“I do want everybody to learn about autism,” Keller said. “So it’s open for everybody.”
She encouraged the community to keep supporting the group and to watch for next year’s event, which she hopes will be even larger.
