Local family raises awareness for autism

It’s an obstacle every single day. Whether it’s changing his clothes, getting him to bed or to wake up, life is hard for both Exavier Gregory, a preschooler with autism, and members of his family.

The Gregory family wants to raise awareness for autism through the ups and downs of raising their own son of the same condition, one that many people didn’t accept at first.

In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined approximately 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ). Most children are diagnosed after age 4, but can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2.

Exavier Gregory is currently in preschool and goes through many day-to-day challenges. His mother, Melissa Gregory, believes Yuma could do more for families with autistic children.

His sister, Aurora Sargent wants to fight for him to be treated equally by all.

“He has his bad times, but he also has his really good times, too,” said Sargent. “He’s a good kid, and I love him.”