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Puerto Rico House honors children with autism in special session, urges policy action
Summary
Lawmakers held a special recognition on April 7, 2026, featuring prayer and performances and repeated calls from legislators for more services, early diagnosis and supports across the life course for people with autism.
SAN JUAN — The House of Representatives of Puerto Rico held a special session on April 7, 2026, to mark Autism Awareness Month and recognize children, families and community programs, opening with an invocation and musical performances and closing with pledges to advance services for people with autism.
The event began when invited guest Zacarías Rosa Rosado led an invocation asking for support for families and for officials to work “con sabiduría y con pasión.” Zacarías, who told the chamber, “Mi nombre es Zacarías Rosa Rosado y soy un niño con autismo,” asked attendees to pray for understanding and equal opportunities for children and adults on the spectrum.
Legislators read lists of invited children, educators and family members, and the program included a musical interpretation by Adam José Pagán dedicated to people with autism. Juan Ramón Meléndez Morales read a proclamation citing Law No. 79 (May 18, 2000) that designates April as Autism Awareness Month and recognizes honorees including Rodrigo Soto Cancel.
Why it matters: multiple lawmakers used the occasion to press for concrete policy moves. In a floor message, a spokesperson for the Puerto Rican Independence Party noted a sharp rise in special-education enrollment and described gaps in diagnosis and early intervention, citing a reported 120% increase in special-education students and an estimated prevalence of “one in 36” people — statistics presented to the chamber to underline urgency.
Representative Burgos Muñiz described a family’s experience raising a 4-year-old with autism and highlighted the difficulty families face obtaining prompt diagnostic evaluations and services. Pedro Ortiz, among others, and Edgar Robles, the session organizer, said the event should lead to measurable steps from the legislature and government agencies to close service gaps.
Direct outcomes: the recognition portion concluded with a photo opportunity at the presidential dais and the House recessed until later that afternoon to proceed with ordinary business. Leaders and several speakers said they plan to follow up with legislative measures and interagency coordination to expand access to diagnoses, early interventions and adult services.
The House reconvened later the same day to continue its ordinary calendar and to vote on several bills and resolutions that were placed on the final voting calendar.
