On World Autism Awareness Day, Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to the inclusion, health, and comprehensive well-being of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as part of a humanistic vision that promotes neurodiversity in Baja California.
“We work tirelessly to ensure that children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder receive dignified, timely, and quality care. Our commitment is to support their families and provide them with real tools for their development, inclusion, and well-being,” the governor said.
As part of these efforts, the state government has taken a significant step forward by expanding the operational hours of the Autism Care Centers run by the DIF Baja California System. With the opening of an afternoon shift in Mexicali and Tijuana, the centers now operate Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This expansion has resulted in unprecedented coverage. To date, 10,605 children and teenagers have benefited, receiving a total of 49,838 specialized services.
Mavis Olmeda García, president of the State DIF Board of Trustees, explained that a highly trained team is available to care for individuals with ASD. The team includes specialists in neuropediatrics and child psychiatry, as well as comprehensive therapies in language, occupational skills, pedagogy, and sensory stimulation. Interconsultations in genetics, phoniatrics, and audiology are also provided.
Care begins with a diagnosis conducted by specialized psychological staff, who review each patient’s developmental history and administer diagnostic tests. From there, an individualized treatment plan is designed, organized into quarterly blocks focused on behavioral, cognitive, and daily living skills.
“We have not only expanded spaces and schedule but we have also humanized care so that every family finds in DIF BC the tools they need to enhance their children’s abilities, promoting their full inclusion in society,” Olmeda García said.
Families seeking access to these services may visit the Care Centers in Mexicali or Tijuana. The Mexicali center is located at Calzada Cuauhtémoc 384, Fracc. Las Fuentes (tel. 686-567-1927). The Tijuana center is located at Paseo del Río, corner of Calle Valles, 3ra. Etapa Zona Río (tel. 664-102-4276).
