Noe

Noe began his career in social work in 2015 working in Supported Living Service (SLS), Independent Living Services (ILS) and Day programs. For most of his career, he has worked in Personal Attendant, SLS, Residential, hospice settings, Respite, ABA and nursing care homes Intermediate Care Facility. Noe has been a natural caregiver since he was a child caring for his infant brother, and he felt compelled to continue that caregiving as an adult. Now, he works at Alta California Regional Center as a Service Coordinator.

As a person with autism, Noe has first-hand experience and can help advocate for his clients along with teaching them how they can advocate for themselves. He educates clients on their rights and empowers them if they feel defeated or worried. Clients relate to Noe because they see him as a peer who offers a safe space. Because Noe works with clients in every stage and walk of life, he understands how important empathy is to build a trusting relationship.

Despite being a successful Service Coordinator, Noe struggled most of his life with education. In grade school, Noe was missed in getting assessed, and so teaching wasn’t geared to him or his needs. School continued to be difficult when he attended community college and had to drop out due to a low GPA. Frustrated but determined, Noe tried something new and began attending school online. Making this change turned out to be what he needed and in 2019, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and is working on receiving his Master’s in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling. Outside of ACRC, Noe is a counselor and is in the process of getting hours approved to take the exam to become a Licensed Practitioner Clinical Counselor. Noe considers being autistic a superpower; what seemed like a hindrance before has now become his strength because he uses his skill in pattern recognition and can see changes in behaviors and moods.

Although there are pros to being autistic, Noe recognizes that he still struggles. He understands that receiving help like psychiatry and having a support system can help mitigate some of the struggles. Being a part of the regional center and pursuing his education has allowed him to see that there is hope and he uses that hope to help others find their way and get the help they need.