Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities in Puerto Vallarta and neighboring communities will soon have access to specialized care closer to home as construction begins on a new Autism and Intellectual Disability Care Center.
The facility will be built on land next to the La Lija Sports and Cultural Complex with an investment of 100 million pesos. Designed to serve families throughout Puerto Vallarta, the northern coast of Jalisco, and nearby mountain municipalities, the center will provide free, comprehensive services, ensuring that long travel distances are no longer an obstacle to receiving specialized care.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro officially launched the project during a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, where he unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the start of construction. State officials, families, and advocates gathered to celebrate the beginning of a project expected to significantly expand access to specialized support in the region.
During the ceremony, Lemus said the center will benefit not only residents of Puerto Vallarta but also families from surrounding municipalities. He noted that construction is expected to be completed sometime between the end of 2026 and April 2027.
The governor also reflected on Jalisco’s growing network of autism care facilities. After opening the state’s first specialized center in Zapopan and later adding two more in Guadalajara, he said increasing awareness and continued population growth made it clear that similar services were needed in other regions, including the northern coast.
Maye Villa de Lemus, president of the System for the Integral Development of the Family (DIF) Jalisco, explained that the new center will offer therapies, rehabilitation services, skill-building workshops, and specialized equipment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, as well as individuals with other intellectual disabilities.
She emphasized that the goal is to provide accessible, compassionate, and comprehensive care at no cost to families. Beyond therapeutic services, the center is designed to help participants develop greater independence and improve their quality of life while encouraging meaningful participation in their communities.
Villa de Lemus added that the workshops will be tailored to opportunities found in Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding region, including tourism and production-related activities. These programs are intended to help participants build practical skills, strengthen their autonomy, and prepare for greater social and economic inclusion.
Speaking directly to parents, grandparents, and caregivers, she described the project’s launch as a long-awaited milestone that brings hope to families who have spent years traveling to other cities to access specialized services.
According to Jalisco Secretary of Infrastructure and Public Works David Zamora Bueno, the project will occupy a 5,200-square-meter property. The development includes a 3,500-square-meter intervention area and a 2,250-square-meter building.
The center’s design features a reception area, administrative offices, therapy and workshop spaces, a covered central courtyard, and an entrance security booth, creating a welcoming environment that supports both treatment and learning.
David Zamora Bueno expressed his commitment to completing the project by Children’s Day 2027, although Governor Lemus indicated the facility could be ready earlier, between late 2026 and April 2027.
Families attending the groundbreaking ceremony welcomed the announcement, noting that the new care center will provide expanded access to specialized services for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities throughout Puerto Vallarta and neighboring communities.
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