Autistic teen encourages others to “Go for it”

By Klysha Best

When Seth Rodriguez was diagnosed with autism at age five, his parents, Debbie Ward-Rodriguez and Carlos Rodriguez, sat in shock.

“What are we going to do?” Debbie recalls, “Where do we start? We didn’t know much about autism.”

That was 12 years ago. Today, Seth is a 17-year-old young man who plays the steelpan and piano, swims competitively, practices karate, serves as an usher at his church, and has been shortlisted for the 2027 World Special Olympics in Chile.

His journey, marked by early intervention, fierce parental advocacy, and an unshakable faith, offers a powerful testament to what is possible when a family refuses to accept limits.

In the early days, Debbie and Carlos immersed themselves in learning. They attended workshops, consulted speech pathologists and occupational therapists, and relied on Seth’s school, Palmeras Learning Centre in St James.

“Our hopes for Seth were that with early intervention he could live a happy, healthy life,” Debbie says. “Our fears? How was he going to survive in this world?”

The answer came gradually, through small victories. One of the first came at church. From the time Seth began walking, Debbie says, “we were more outside the church than inside” for about two years. But they never gave up. Then one day, Seth sat down. And he stayed.

“He developed a passion for Masses,” Debbie says. “We definitely know now that this is his first love.”

Today, Seth never misses a Sunday evening Mass at St Theresa’s RC Church, Woodbrook, not even for his activities. He takes up the collection, is training to be a lector, and helps close the church. He also attends St Mary’s RC Church, Mucurapo, and Living Water Community.

Debbie describes Seth as someone who “will not do anything he does not want to do—not even bribing him works.” So, she and Carlos learned to try things differently.

They enrolled him in multiple sports. Swimming and karate stuck. Since age seven, he has been attending Caribe Arts Academy, where he learned pan and keyboard. “He is a natural,” Debbie says. The greatest reward, she reflects, came not from medals or performances, but from watching Seth learn to connect.

“Seth entered speech therapy when he was three years old and then he started talking one word which turned into sentences. The greatest reward is that he has learned to socialise and communicate with all ages. He is not afraid to talk to anyone or ask a question or make conversation.”

For Seth, music and movement are pathways to focus.

“I can stay focused to remember the notes,” he says of playing piano and pan. “I enjoy it and it makes me feel joyful.”

Swimming gives him freedom. “Being in the water makes me feel free, learning to keep my body above water and learning the techniques to do the different strokes.”

But when asked what he is most proud of, his answer is not athletic or musical.

“Confirmation,” he says. “Making new friends. Learning about my saint name, St Luke, and being an official member of the church.”

Debbie recalls a moment in May 2024, during Seth’s Confirmation Mass. “He was so excited and I was so proud of him that it brought tears to my eyes.”

Seth put his hand on her shoulder and said: “Mommy, everything is going to be okay, don’t cry.” That moment, she says, is one she will never forget.

For parents who have just received an autism diagnosis, Debbie offers practical wisdom.

“Put routine and structure in place early. This is extremely helpful. The internet is a great source of information and talking to other parents who have a child on the spectrum. Sometimes you just need to get out there physically and ask a lot of questions.”

She also highlights gaps in the system. “A one-stop shop with all the onboard services where children can be diagnosed would be helpful. These services are very costly privately.”

She also wants to see more public special schools with specialised teachers. When Seth was six, they were turned down by many schools and “completely stressed out”. A security guard at a park told them about Palmeras Learning Centre.

When asked what he would tell people who think autistic children can’t do certain things, Seth said simply: “Everything, as long I want to do it.”

To a younger autistic child starting to learn piano or pan, his advice is even shorter: “Go for it.”

As Seth approaches adulthood, Debbie hopes he will continue his journey with the church, become independent, learn to drive, and one day marry and have children. “Seth loves children,” she says.

Through it all, Debbie says, Seth has changed their lives. “He has taught us that there is no limit in life. Trust in God and plenty blessings will come your way.”

This April, Autism Awareness Month, the Rodriguez family hopes others will move beyond awareness to acceptance and inclusion.

“Engage and be part of their lives in order to understand how they operate,” Debbie says. “That will bring acceptance and inclusion.”

And Seth has embraced possibilities saying he can do “everything, as long as I want to do it”.