School talks and community campaigns to promote genuine and informed inclusion.
Our mission is to provide access to early intervention therapies and specialized education for people with autism and Down syndrome, helping them develop communication, social, and emotional skills while equipping their families with the tools and guidance they need at every stage of life.
We seek to raise awareness about these neurodevelopmental conditions in order to promote the inclusion of children, adolescents, and adults with autism and Down syndrome in the community.
We envision an inclusive world where every person with autism and Down syndrome has the opportunities and support needed to develop their potential and live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
We are a nonprofit organization legally established in Ecuador and registered with the Ministry of Social Inclusion – Human Development. Our team is made up entirely of parents, sibling and grandparents of children with autism and Down syndrome.
From our own lived experience, we work to improve the lives of our children and many other families who share this reality.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child experiences and interacts with the world.
Autistic children may face challenges with social communication, adapting to change, processing sensory input such as loud noises or crowded environments, and navigating daily life in ways that feel safe and manageable.
Because every autistic child is unique, their strengths, challenges, and support needs can vary widely, from needing occasional guidance to requiring ongoing support in learning and everyday activities.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. Children with Down syndrome may face challenges in speech, learning, movement, and everyday skills, and some may also need support for associated health conditions.
With early intervention, proper care, and a strong network of support, they can keep developing their strengths and build a full and meaningful life.
School talks and community campaigns to promote genuine and informed inclusion.
Training spaces where parents learn practical strategies for everyday life.
We are working to bring no-cost or low-cost trainings for educational institutions to support the school inclusion of neurodivergent children.
Comming soon: No-cost access to AAC Program and TEACCH early intervention program provided by professionals committed to each family.
Coming soon: Programs that help autistic individuals and adults with Down syndrome build independence, practical job skills, and confidence for meaningful inclusion in work and community life.
Coming soon: a dedicated space to offer all the program in one place.
On June 20, 2024, the transfer of a plot of land with an ancient building to Fundación Pasos de Luz was approved for the execution of the construction project of a comprehensive support center for children and adolescents with autism, Down syndrome, and their families,
On November 9, the Nutrition and Autism Workshop, delivered by Nutritionist Nallely Zambrano and organized by Fundación Pasos de Luz, took place. The presentation explained why nutrition is crucial in autism given the frequent feeding challenges and food selectivity seen in children on the spectrum, which can lead to deficiencies.
We want to continue opening spaces for dialogue on autism, neurodiversity, and education, such as the talk and reading of the book “Volamos juntos” by psychologist and inclusive education expert Andrea Villasmil, which we held on Friday, March 21. That day we were joined by education authorities and delegates from
On May 15 we held our free talk for parents and teachers, “Beyond Labels,” on inclusion and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. The session was led by educational psychologist Carmen Betancourt
We thank all the local educational institutions for their openness, empathy, and willingness to join and participate in this initiative by Fundación Pasos de Luz, which aims to promote the conscious inclusion of children with
Learning strategies to support speech development in children with autism from expert clinicians is a valuable opportunity for parents in our community. On Saturday, June 21, the workshop on the Orofacial Sensory System in Autism took place, led by Licensed Speech Therapist Luis Naranjo. The orofacial system refers to the
Thanks to the initiative of the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion MIES for the Sucre–San Vicente–Jama district, which called together various local organizations and universities, including our Fundación Pasos
Participating as Fundación Pasos de Luz in the Children’s Day Festival organized by the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (MIES) for the Sucre–San Vicente–Jama district gave us a valuable opportunity to continue raising awareness about autism, Down syndrome, and
On Sunday we held Pasos de Luz Foundation’s first Family Gathering. It was a day for parents, siblings, and relatives of children and adults with autism or Down syndrome to come together with our children
As Fundación Pasos de Luz, we have begun Phase 1 of refurbishing the site granted for the construction of a
Knowing your child’s sensory profile can make a big difference in their everyday concentration and behavior. On Saturday, June 21, we held the talk “Understanding
One of our goals at Fundación Pasos de Luz is to inform, raise awareness, and sensitize our community about Autism and neurodevelopmental conditions in general. That is why we have reached out to local radio outlets to bring these topics closer to city residents and those in neighboring cantons. We are grateful to media partners
Join our family of partners and support our mission to provide specialized therapies and education. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.
Your donations allow us to provide special therapies and education to those who need them most. Every contribution, big or small, helps brighten the path for many families.
We extend our invitation to businesses that wish to contribute to our cause through donations or sponsorship programs, helping us grow our project.
Abg. Hernán Burbano G.
President
Rocío Solorzano
Vicepresident
Zaidi García
Secretary
Johanna Cedeño
Treasurer
