Return to Articles

7.01.2025

Parent Spotlight: Meet Ana

Meet Ana

Ana is the mother of two young children in Las Vegas. In the following interview, she shares her experience navigating resources for her children and her experience with the First 5 Nevada Family Leadership Council.

Today, let’s talk a little about you and your family. Tell me about you and your family. 

I have two children; one is 6 years old and has a diagnosis of autism, and the other is a 6-month-old baby. My older child's name is Gareth, and my baby is named Jeremy. We have been living in Las Vegas for two and a half years.

Now, let’s discuss your journey in the First 5 Nevada Family leadership Council and your advocacy for parents.

Thank you for including me in this important group. It has been incredibly valuable for me in terms of gaining information. I am currently learning how I can contribute to this community. It has been essential to learn about the available resources and the important things parents can do to promote development in all aspects that relate to our families.

What do you hope to gain from the First 5 Nevada Family Leadership Council? 

The experiences of other parents are very important to me because some have much more experience than I do. Additionally, the resources shared can be used positively. It’s crucial to gather as much information as possible from these meetings.

What led you to join the First 5 Nevada Family Leadership Council?

Family, first and foremost, my children motivate me. I am driven to help them and find any information and resources that can assist us. As I mentioned, my older child has autism, which has been a long journey. I am always searching for ways to support my family, especially now that I have a 6-month-old baby. It’s also vital to be informed about everything that can help them.

What are the advantages of joining a parent/family group?

First and foremost, it’s about being informed. For me, that is one of the significant advantages of being part of such a group, staying updated on the latest workshops I can attend. I really appreciated the public speaking workshop because it’s always important to know how to express your thoughts and present them to an audience. Preparing yourself is essential, and being part of this group offers very broad opportunities.

What advice would you give to other parents or family members interested in taking on leadership or decision-making roles to support programs or services aimed at early childhood?

It is always important to be part of a group like this. For the sake of our children and our families, we need to explore what can be done, as each family's story is different. It is essential to understand the information, understand what is true, and know how to navigate different situations. Therefore, participating in every available group is crucial for our families and the development of our children.

What programs or services do you consider most important for young children in Nevada?

I believe that everything related to stimulation is vital. My experience with autism has shown me how each story is unique. When I was in another country, there wasn’t much emphasis on the importance of stimulation or how essential it is to engage children in early learning. Parents must learn how to stimulate their children from a young age because early stimulation and learning are crucial. I didn’t realize the immense value this has for children.

What early childhood services have you found helpful?

Currently, I am on a waiting list for intervention services for my 6-month-old. When we arrived in Las Vegas, my older son Gareth was already 3 years old, almost 4. He didn’t qualify for those services, but he was able to access Child Find, where he was evaluated and qualified for early education through CCSD. Right now, we are on a waiting list for intervention for my younger child since he has been evaluated and shows some developmental delays.

Have you encountered any obstacles in accessing programs or services for your children?
Yes, especially at the beginning. We focused on learning English as quickly as possible. While we were eventually able to access services, it wasn’t easy. My son, Gareth, who is autistic, is currently receiving ABA therapy through our insurance, but we had to submit an appeal. I’m not entirely sure why, but it seems that insurance companies have become more demanding lately, and that has made it harder for us to access the therapies he needs.

Getting a diagnosis was another major hurdle. We were fortunate to find a free clinic run by volunteer doctors and nurses. I managed to get Gareth on the waiting list before he had health insurance, which ended up saving us nearly a year of waiting time. By the time he got insurance, he was already on the list, and we were able to go to the Grant a Gift Autism Foundation Ackerman Center to get his diagnosis. Without that, he wouldn’t have been eligible for any therapy at all.

Thanks to early intervention, he’s made significant progress with ABA therapy. We’re really hoping the insurance continues to approve it. It hasn’t been an easy path and it’s been challenging since we moved here. Within our first week here (Southern Nevada), we connected with The Children's Cabinet, and they’ve been an essential support system for us ever since. I follow their guidance closely and do everything I can, whether it’s riding the bus or walking, to make sure my children get the help they need.

What resources or supports would help families participate in leadership or decision-making in Nevada?

Offering meetings in Spanish is incredibly helpful. It’s a major step toward making families feel welcome and confident enough to participate. From my own experience, even though my English hasn’t improved as much as I’d like, I now feel brave enough to speak—even if my pronunciation isn’t perfect. In the beginning, I didn’t even dare say “hello.” So this progress means a lot.

I know this initiative will empower many more families, and I’m deeply grateful for the effort to make it accessible. Thank you for making that possible.

Click here to learn more about the First 5 Nevada Family Leadership Council and how to get involved!