'Mom, Did You Know I Had Autism?' A Son Reflects on Growing Up Different

Jhovana Figueroa was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. Now, in a conversation for StoryCorps, he and his mother sit down to talk about his childhood. They discuss early challenges, small victories, and the bond that helped Figueroa navigate a world not always built for him. The pair also share their hopes for what lies ahead. For his mother, that hope is simple: a future where her son is understood and accepted for exactly who he is.