By Amanda Alaniz

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – MAY 13, 2025 – Maribel Leos’ journey with her youngest son – helping him find his voice after his diagnosis with autism – is the driving force behind her 16 years as a disability advocate.

“His diagnosis took us on a journey of researching medical terms, learning Individualized Education Program (IEP) and special education terms, advocating against insurance denials for needed services. And most importantly, celebrating the victories of milestones reached by my son through the help of occupational and speech therapy,” the Brownsville native said.

Through those experiences and advocacy work, Leos grew more involved in the Brownsville community and recognized necessary changes, yielding a litany of commitment to service:

• President of Texas Partners in Policymaking – a leadership training program supported by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities.
• Board member, City of Brownsville’s Special Needs Advisory Committee.
• Board member, BiG Heroes, providing educational opportunities to young adults with intellectual disabilities who are seeking employment.
• Grant reviewer, Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD).

While balancing her advocacy efforts with being a dedicated mother for her two sons, she also invested time to earning a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from UTRGV.   

On Saturday, May 17, Leos will walk the stage at UTRGV Spring 2025 Commencement , joining more than 3,200 Vaqueros who are receiving their diplomas.

UTRGV provided her with the strength she needed to complete her academic journey, she said.

“Receiving my degree – I had already achieved so much! But getting my degree was a milestone for me that I needed to accomplish,” she said. “I needed my sons to see I can do it, even now, at my age.

“Life is bumpy, life has ups and downs,” she said. “I wanted them to see dreams don’t have a deadline.”

FINDING A VOICE

Autism Speaks, a non-profit awareness organization and major autism research organization, reports that individuals with autism are seven times more likely to have police encounters than the general population. A 2019 study of adults with autism founded the individuals had negative experiences with law enforcement, based on a lack of understanding of autism by the officer.

Leos is familiar with the research through her advocacy work, and says she would like to change that dynamic – which is what inspired her to major in Criminal Justice.

“In the disability world, we need to do more for training in law enforcement to better educate not only our law enforcement, but also our self-advocates –  to collaborate, to work together, so they can ask for help the way they know how to ask for help,” she said.

Her husband, Victor Leos, is a deputy sheriff with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office with more than 20 years of experience. She said he is well aware of how vital her efforts are to educate others – beginning with teaching them to recognize people with special needs and learning how to approach them.

Many people with autism are becoming independent, she said, and that entails driving and working. So, there is a need for policy changes and training within law enforcement.

“Everything from the sirens, to the lights, to how an officer approaches a vehicle,” she said. “The way those approaches are handled need to be very different.”

A MOTHER’S MOTIVATION  

Disability advocacy started at home for Leos, when her youngest son, Matt, was diagnosed with autism as a child.

He struggled to speak. But thanks to help from occupational and speech therapists, teachers, coaches and advocacy leaders, he can speak for himself now, and for others.

“He’s now a Texas Youth Ambassador with TCDD, serving as a self-advocate,” she said. “He uses his voice and life experience to empower others with disabilities, and has even advocated at our Texas Capitol and in Washington, D.C.”

Last year, Matt was invited to speak at a national conference with other advocacy leaders on behalf of TCDD. He spoke about his gaming design, which focuses on teaching young adults with disabilities about guardianship alternatives.

His goal for the presentation was to push for creating more resources and programs for self-advocates, she said.

“His growth has motivated me to keep fighting and keeping speaking on behalf of those who cannot do so for themselves,” she said.

NEXT CHAPTER FOR AN ADVOCATE

Leos will not be the only one in the family to earn a degree this commencement season.

Her eldest son, Victor, is earning his own bachelor’s degree in Political Science from McCurry University. Leos said she is looking forward to the family photos of them in their caps and gowns. Little brother Matt would like to follow in their footsteps, she said.

Matt already has visited the UTRGV Brownsville Campus, making plans for what he would take to his dorm and where he would eat on campus. He is being inspired to take those next steps to college, she said, and they are all working to help Matt find his best path.

During her own journey, Leos said, she recalls her son packing little snack bags for her to take to school and to wish her the best of luck.

“When Matt sees me, he tells me, ‘Mom, I’m so proud of you. I know everything you do and you’re still going to school. I’m going to do that, too,’” she said.

She says she is thankful to the UTRGV community, from professors to peers, for making her feel welcome and supported, but she isn’t stopping with a bachelor’s degree. Leos plans to begin a master’s degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in Public Policy later this year at UTRGV.

She also will continue her advocacy work, along with honoring her commitments to the Brownsville community.

“My plans are to attend graduate school and obtain my master’s to continue to advocate and work on policies. I want to further empower our loved ones with disabilities through employment opportunities, and so much more,” she said.

Leos graduates from the UTRGV College of Liberal Arts in a commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg.

Visit utrgv.edu/commencement for more information.