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Autism advocate urges Cerritos to move from awareness to inclusion at parks commission meeting
Summary
At the June 4 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, autism advocate Saboth Gag — a Cerritos resident who said he has spoken at the U.N. and Congress — urged the city to adopt policies and programs that promote inclusion and recognition for people with autism; a parent speaker criticized the council for declining to acknowledge his advocacy.
Autism advocate Saboth Gag addressed the Cerritos Parks and Recreation Commission June 4, urging the city to adopt inclusive practices and to recognize local leaders in the autism community.
"Inclusion is not just about allowing someone to participate. It is about making sure they belong," Saboth Gag told commissioners, describing himself as a Cerritos resident, an autism advocate and a participant on the television series Love on the Spectrum. He said he was diagnosed at age two and a half, was nonverbal until age five, and has since spoken at the United Nations and to Congress about autism awareness and acceptance.
Gag asked the commission and the city to create spaces and policies that support accessibility and meaningful participation. "Create spaces where differences are celebrated, support policies that promote accessibility and inclusion and most importantly treat every individual with dignity and respect," he said.
Following Gag’s remarks, a parent and resident who identified herself as Anju urged the city to publicly recognize his advocacy and criticized the city council for declining to acknowledge him at previous opportunities. "The city made him who he is today," she said, recounting his use of Cerritos recreation programs and camps as formative experiences and asking the council not to ignore residents with disabilities.
Chair Patnik thanked the speakers and staff for permitting Gag to lead the Pledge of Allegiance earlier in the meeting and acknowledged the advocacy work. Commission members expressed appreciation for the speakers’ remarks; no formal motion or policy was taken during the public comment period related to recognition or proclamations.
The speakers requested more formal recognition and ongoing outreach; staff and commissioners did not commit to a specific council action at the meeting but indicated staff conversation and follow‑up were possible. The commission’s public comment record will remain part of the meeting minutes for any future council or commission follow up.
The commission continued with its scheduled agenda after closing public comment.
