Published TUESDAY January 6, 2026: 'See Me, Hear Me: We Watched Our Child Disappear' Photography by NPPF 2024 Alan Hagman Grant Recipient multiple award winning ZUMA Press contract photojournalist ROBIN RAYNE. Chris Castillo, now 18, was diagnosed with autism after developmental changes emerged around age two. In the months that followed a routine vaccination appointment and a high fever, his mother, Lionela noticed unsettling shifts: words he once spoke disappeared, eye contact faded, and the energetic toddler who sang 'Happy Birthday' with his sister and played kickball seemed to retreat. 'It was traumatic,' she says. 'It was like watching our child disappear.' That moment marked the beginning of a long and often painful journey for the Castillo family, one shaped by grief, fear, guilt, anger, and cultural reckoning, but also by growth, advocacy, and resilience. Years later, when Chris was abused at school, Lionela found her resolve hardening into purpose. 'Because of you, because of what happened to you, we will always make sure no other child goes through this,' she tells him. The path forward, she knows, is imperfect. But it is no longer without hope. Welcome to 'See Me, Hear Me: We Watched Our Child Disappear'
© zReportage.com Issue #1022 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY January 6, 2026: 'See Me, Hear Me: We Watched Our Child Disappear' Photography by NPPF 2024 Alan Hagman Grant Recipient multiple award winning ZUMA Press contract photojournalist ROBIN RAYNE. Chris Castillo, now 18, was diagnosed with autism after developmental changes emerged around age two. In the months that followed a routine vaccination appointment and a high fever, his mother, Lionela noticed unsettling shifts: words he once spoke disappeared, eye contact faded, and the energetic toddler who sang 'Happy Birthday' with his sister and played kickball seemed to retreat. 'It was traumatic,' she says. 'It was like watching our child disappear.' That moment marked the beginning of a long and often painful journey for the Castillo family, one shaped by grief, fear, guilt, anger, and cultural reckoning, but also by growth, advocacy, and resilience. Years later, when Chris was abused at school, Lionela found her resolve hardening into purpose. 'Because of you, because of what happened to you, we will always make sure no other child goes through this,' she tells him. The path forward, she knows, is imperfect. But it is no longer without hope. Welcome to 'See Me, Hear Me: We Watched Our Child Disappear'

CHRIS MALDONADO, 18, was a healthy, energetic toddler until around age two, when his parents began noticing changes in his behavior. 'He was becoming withdrawn, and it was like he was fading,' recalls his mother, Lionela. 'We watched our son disappear.' Within six months, specialists diagnosed him with autism. 'Was it the vaccine? We don't know, we may never know, she says, reflecting on the timing of his symptoms following routine childhood immunizations..Today, Chris has the developmental level of a six-year-old. Though non-speaking, he understands much of what others say and expresses himself through movement and visual activities that bring him joy. It's like he's trapped inside, his mother says.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO sits before a pile of puzzle pieces on the family's dining table. 'He sit for hours sorting the pieces, and he's very good at putting them together, not even looking a the box they came in' explains his mother Lionela. Chris experiences severe autism and is non-speaking.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

Chris Maldonado uses an augmentative communication device to express his needs. He is non-speaking due to severe autism and a speech impairment disorder. autism and a speech impairment disorder.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO, 18, spends time with his vast collection of rubber ducks in his bedroom. 'He's had hundreds, and we had to get rid of many,' said his father Martin. Chris has had severe autism since age two.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO, 18, kisses one of his cherished rubber duck toys, a gift from a friend at a Halloween party hosted by his mother, Lionela, for children with developmental disabilities. Once an outgoing toddler, Chris became increasingly quiet and withdrawn around age two and now lives with severe autism.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO, 18, sits quietly during a Halloween party hosted by his mother, Lionela, for children with developmental disabilities. Once an outgoing and sociable toddler, Chris became increasingly withdrawn around age two and now lives with severe autism.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO shows his excitement while wearing his Miracle League uniform at an adaptive recreation field in Cypress, Texas. The game was canceled due to rain. Chris, who experiences severe autism and is non-speaking, enjoys being part of the team for individuals with developmental disabilities, regardless of the weather.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO, 18, is surrounded by his dad MARTIN, sisters DALY and RUBY, and Mother LIONELLA as they play in the family yard in Houston.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

MARTIN and LIONELA MALDONADO restrain their son CHRIS as he tries to bolt from a grocery store toward a nearby fast-food restaurant, while his sister DAISY walks alongside. 'We're always anticipating what he's thinking and have to catch him before he runs,' explains Martin. Chris experiences severe autism, with the mind of a young child but the strength of a young man.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

MARTIN and LIONELA MALDONADO hold their son CHRIS as he tries to bolt from a grocery store toward a nearby fast-food restaurant. His sister DAISY cries out. 'We're always anticipating what he's thinking and have to catch him before he runs,' explains Martin. Chris experiences severe autism, with the mind of a young child but the strength of a young man.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

Amid flashing lights and pulsing music, CHRIS MALDONADO plays a dance game as his mother, Lionela, moves beside him. The arcade is one of his happiest places. Chris experiences severe autism.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO plays a video game in a large arcade as his parents watch. Gaming is one of his favorite activities. He experiences severe autism.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO plays a video game in a large arcade as his mother, Lionela, watches. Gaming is one of his favorite activities.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO, 18, plays a pinball game as his parents encourage him in a large arcade, one of his favorite activities. His mother, LIONELA, recalls that he was a healthy, outgoing toddler until around age two, when he began withdrawing and was later diagnosed with autism. She believes the timing may have coincided with routine vaccinations, though specialists say no causal link has been established. Chris is non-speaking but understands much of what others say, and finds joy in visual activities.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO shops with his parents, MARTIN and LIONELA, at a local market, where he remembers the aisle locations of his favorite items. Chris experiences severe autism.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO, 18, chooses his favorite biscuits while shopping with his parents at a local grocery store. Non-speaking since age two, he expresses his preferences without words.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

MARTIN MALDONADO guides his son CHRIS to use a debit card for his purchases. Chris has experienced severe autism since age two, his parents said.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire

CHRIS MALDONADO, 18, was a healthy, energetic toddler until around age two, when his parents began noticing changes in his behavior. 'He was becoming withdrawn, and it was like he was fading,' recalls his mother, Lionela. 'We watched our son disappear.' Within six months, specialists diagnosed him with autism. 'Was it the vaccine? We don't know, we may never know, she says, reflecting on the timing of his symptoms following routine childhood immunizations. Today, Chris has the developmental level of a six-year-old. Though non-speaking, he understands much of what others say and expresses himself through movement and visual activities that bring him joy. It's like he's trapped inside, his mother says.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire