Mayor James Tucker proclaimed April 2025 as Autism Acceptance Month in a presentation that included local autism-support representatives detailing outreach and diagnostic plans.

The proclamation text read in part that April is dedicated to “autism awareness, acceptance, and advocacy” and that the city “proudly supports the annual observance of Autism Acceptance Month.” Following the proclamation, a representative who identified himself only as James, and who said he was with Autism Support of Carroll County, thanked the council and described a completed mobile unit intended for autism evaluation and outreach.

“This unit’s built. I hope that you come by to see it at the market days,” James said, referring to the mobile unit the group has nicknamed George and Audrey after its founders. He told the council that evaluator training will occur with partners including the San Diego Regional Center, the University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Riverside and San Diego State University to train local professionals to perform evaluations across the county.

A second speaker noted the organization now serves about 4,200 clients in Imperial County and roughly 45,000 in San Diego and Imperial Counties combined, and that more than 50% of those clients have autism as a primary or secondary diagnosis. The speakers said they hope to coordinate with the city and the local school district to secure space for evaluations and to invite residents to an upcoming autism fair and 5K and associated family events planned for the community.

The presenters thanked the city for the proclamation and invited residents to community events; no formal action was required by the council on the presentation.