Living with autism in Cuba

Cristian Vazquez covers his ears during class at the Dora Alonso school in Havana, Cuba, May 16, 2013.

Vazquez, 6, was diagnosed with autism in 2008 and began attending the Dora Alonso school, which caters to the education of children with autism. Although Vazquez's education is paid for by the state, his parents say that it is difficult to acquire special materials for their son, like books that have figures, colors and pictograms.

Seven-year-old Ivan Damian Duani, who has autism, is helped to paint by his teacher at the Dora Alonso school in Havana, May 15, 2013.

The Caribbean island hosted an international gathering titled "Austism and Inclusion" in July.

Cristian Vazquez, 6, reaches out to a horse as his teacher Armando San Jorge, from the Dora Alonso school, looks on during a field trip to the zoo in Havana, May 9, 2013.

Cristian Vazquez embraces his mother Mileydis Monteagudo, at their home in Havana, June 12, 2013.

Six-year-old Vazquez was diagnosed with autism in 2008 and began attending a state paid school that caters to the education of children with autism.

"I want him to stand on his own, to be someone, to be independent so that when I'm not here, he doesn't have to depend on anyone," said Monteagudo.

Cristian Vazquez falls into the arms of his grandfather Francisco Vazquez as he gets off the school bus after a school day at the Dora Alonso school in Havana, June 13, 2013.

Students who have autism sleep on the bus home after a school field trip to the zoo in Havana, May 9, 2013.

Cristian Vazquez watches his friends play as he waits for his teacher at the Dora Alonso school in Havana, May 16, 2013.

Cristian Vazquez smiles as he plays on a computer as his sister Cintia Vazquez dances at their home in Havana, June 12, 2013.

Cristian Vazquez, right, is helped by another student at the Pedro Albizu Campos school in Havana, June 14, 2013.

Cristian Vazquez, 6, is thrown into the water by a friend of his father Cristian Vazquez, left, who looks on as they play along the shore of Havana, June 19, 2013.