For Danelys Ramirez, who was diagnosed with autism as a child, the impact is not defined by a single moment, but by daily experiences — how she learns, how she connects and how she moves through the world.
“It impacts everything,” said Ramirez. “The way that I speak, the way that I make friends — it’s part of everything.”
In Richmond Heights, that reality is what Jeffrey T. King is working to address. Through TMCS Community Care, the organization he founded, King is expanding access to early autism screening and support in communities where those services are often out of reach.
During Autism Acceptance Month, his organization brought those services directly to families through a free autism screening and community health fair at the Larcenia J. Bullard Community Center.
Closing gaps in access
Across the United States, one in 31 children is diagnosed with autism. Yet access to early diagnosis remains uneven.
Data shows autism prevalence among Black children is now higher than among white children. At the same time, Black children are often diagnosed later, often years after parents first raise concerns.
In communities like Richmond Heights, those disparities are compounded by limited access to care.
“The data told us we needed to be here,” King told The Miami Times when asked about the choice of location. “Screening rates in these zip codes are significantly lower than they should be.”
Routine pediatric visits do not always include developmental screenings, he added, especially in communities where appointments are shorter and resources more limited.
“Early screening allows for early detection,” King said. “And early detection leads to better outcomes.”
Through TMCS Community Care, those screenings are provided at no cost. For King, however, the real impact begins after the screening — ensuring families are not left to navigate the next steps alone.
Since January, the organization has conducted more than 450 screenings and helped connect over 100 children to follow-up care.
“The screening is just the start,” he said. “Families need help navigating what comes next.”
A father’s perspective
For many parents, the most difficult moment is not the diagnosis — it is the uncertainty that follows. King knows this firsthand, not only as a healthcare professional but as a father.
When his daughter, born prematurely, began missing developmental milestones, King and his wife — both nurses — began searching for answers. After years of testing, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition associated with autism.
“Our focus became, ‘How do we get her everything she needs?’” King said. “How do we get interventions in place early so she has better outcomes?”
For King, the experience is part of what he describes as “God’s plan,” shaping both his personal outlook and the mission behind his work.
That experience now shapes the way his organization operates — not just identifying risk, but guiding families through a complex system of care that can often feel overwhelming.
“We hand-hold families through this complex healthcare system,” said Mario Orantes, a partner in the initiative. “There are barriers — income, access, even just understanding what resources exist.”
For parents like Tehka Hill, the event offered clarity. “It doesn’t hurt to know,” she said after having her child screened. “We need the experts to help us understand what’s going on and what we can do for our children.”
Hill said she was motivated to attend after seeing an increase in autism cases through her family’s experience in the field of education.
“We’re seeing it more,” she said. “So we need to know more.”
Community voices shape the effort
“When you’re dealing with a diagnosis, there are long-term financial decisions families have to make,” said Lesia K. Walker, a Richmond Heights native who joined the event through King’s outreach. “If you start early, you can change outcomes.”
Her perspective reflects a broader reality for many families: that an autism diagnosis often carries long-term financial, educational and emotional implications that require planning and support over time.
The event also created space for voices often left out of the conversation, including individuals living with autism who continue to advocate for greater understanding and inclusion.
Ramirez, now a Florida International University student studying computer science, said awareness alone is not enough. Her father sees it the same way.
“People underestimate kids with autism,” he said, pointing to his daughter, now in college, as proof that there shouldn’t be limits.
As the need for early screening continues to grow, efforts like King’s aim to shift not only access to care, but also the broader perception of autism within the community.
“Don’t hesitate,” King said. “If something doesn’t feel right, get the screening. It can only help your child.”
For families still searching for answers, the path forward is not always clear. In Ramirez’s case, it has meant learning to navigate a world that often feels different, while also using her voice to help others feel seen.
“We need more spaces where people feel included,” she said.
