• Stephanie Guerrero's 6-year-old son was diagnosed with autism when he was 3. • She's spent thousands of dollars — and many, many hours — arranging therapy. • She says she never questioned why he had the condition.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Stephanie Guerrero. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I've never asked myself why my older son has autism. I didn't ask why three years ago, when he was diagnosed, or before that, when he was a toddler struggling to meet developmental milestones.

I've always been a solutions-oriented person, so when I learned that my son had a developmental delay, I focused on what I could control.

I want my son to have the support he needs to be a thriving, contributing, independent member of society. I know that he can be

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