At 3 years previous, Alexis Valenzuela was recognized with autism. Docs instructed his mother and father he may by no means converse or attend college. Now, at 24, Valenzuela speaks three languages fluently, has a grasp’s diploma in sports activities administration, works within the golf trade and runs his personal charity group for autism analysis known as Alexis for Autism.
“Typically I’ve to cease a minute and suppose, ‘Wow,’ ” Valenzuela mentioned. “To suppose that so a few years in the past I couldn’t even ponder being on this place now. It’s thoughts blowing.”
Valenzuela has labored laborious to ensure his autism doesn’t outline him. He went by about 10 years of speech, behavioral and psychotherapy to get to the place he’s at present.
Perhaps simply as importantly, he has golf. His father, Alberto, was a standout participant at UCLA and met his spouse, Diane, by the sport. Their first youngster is Albane Valenzuela, a three-time Swiss Olympian and LPGA Tour participant for whom Alexis has caddied in each beginner {and professional} occasions.
“Golf was all the time the glue in our household,” Albane mentioned. “I’m very lucky to have him as my brother. He’s caddied for me many instances earlier than and has all the time been the largest help. He’s by no means requested for something in return, he’s simply all the time glad to assist. I might positively not be this far in golf if it wasn’t for him.”
When Alexis was a toddler, Diane may inform her son was totally different. He wasn’t speaking. He wasn’t interacting with anybody. She and Alberto determined to have Alexis examined for no matter it may be.
“When the docs lastly requested my husband and myself to go in for the outcome it was terrible,” Diane mentioned. “They mentioned to us, ‘Oh, it is best to sit down as a result of what we’ve got to inform you is fairly laborious.’”
The docs instructed the mother and father that Alexis had autism. Diane was shocked and had no thought what autism meant. The place did it come from? Why her son? What does this imply for the longer term?
The Valenzuelas determined to do all the things of their energy to assist their son. They had been decided that the prognosis wasn’t going to cease him.
“He’s my solely son,” Alberto mentioned. “I didn’t see him as irregular. I simply noticed him as my son who was taking his time on sure issues.”
Regardless of docs predicting Alexis may by no means converse, he mentioned his first phrase two years after the prognosis. The household lived close to Lake Geneva in Switzerland and the younger boy liked throwing pebbles into the lake. In the future, Diane requested Alexis if he needed to throw stones. Valenzuela replied with caillou, the French phrase for pebble.
“He didn’t pronounce it completely however I used to be like, ‘Oh my God; he mentioned a phrase,’” Diane remembered. “And naturally I had a tear in my eyes.”
“It was not simple for me particularly whenever you go to center college and highschool and never everyone is aware of about autism. Take into consideration telling 14- or 15-year-old children, ‘Oh, I’ve a syndrome.’ They suppose it’s a illness. They suppose they’ll get contaminated.” – Alexis Valenzuela
However there have been different challenges for Alexis to beat, together with his issue associating with new issues. When he was 7, his mother and father introduced house a canine, whom they named Ayrton.
“We received the canine for Alexis,” Diane mentioned. “I used to be instructed that canines are superb with children with autism.”
Albane liked Ayrton, however Alexis had just a little extra issue.
“For me having a canine was the best factor on this planet,” Albane mentioned. “However my brother didn’t acknowledge the canine. He couldn’t eat in the identical room because the canine as a result of he was completely panicked by it.”
Fortunately, Alexis had “Air Bud,” a film Alexis says he’s seen tons of of instances.
“It was a consolation film for me,” he mentioned.
It additionally proved to be a turning level in Alexis’ relationship with Ayrton and his journey with autism. In an early scene, the principle character, Josh, affords a shy canine named Buddy pudding, which Buddy gratefully eats. It was step one in creating a robust bond between boy and canine.
Alexis tried an identical strategy.
“I used to be consuming a dairy product or one thing and I noticed the canine subsequent to me,” he mentioned. “He wasn’t presupposed to be there and I assumed, ‘Oh. There was that scene the place the child was giving him yogurt. Perhaps I may attempt the identical factor.’”
Diane couldn’t have been happier.
“I may see the flicker in his eye,” Diane mentioned. “I began to cry as a result of it was the primary time he had an actual interplay with the canine. For me it was proof of communication and proof he knew there was a world moreover [the family].”
Alexis says he didn’t perceive what autism was till he was 10, however he shortly realized methods it impacted his life.
“I’ve gone by bullying fairly badly,” he mentioned. “It was not simple for me particularly whenever you go to center college and highschool and never everyone is aware of about autism. Take into consideration telling 14- or 15-year-old children, ‘Oh, I’ve a syndrome.’ They suppose it’s a illness. They suppose they’ll get contaminated.”
Fortunately, he had associates who supported him at college. He additionally had his household. Diane emphasised that Alexis’ variations had been a energy, however others simply didn’t perceive that.
“I all the time instructed him that I felt he was like a knight on a horse and that he was very highly effective and he may do something in his life,” Diane mentioned. “You’ve gotten a cape on and do many issues however some folks don’t see that.”
Alexis additionally had golf. Beginning very younger, he developed into an achieved junior participant. In golf, he didn’t really feel restricted by his autism.
“I favored that there was a type of respect in golf,” he mentioned. “I had many associates in golf and they didn’t care [about my autism]. They only noticed me as an excellent golfer.”
In the meantime, his sister was having a formidable beginner profession, finally turning into the top-ranked beginner in Switzerland and representing her nation in three Olympics. In 2016 she enrolled at Stanford, helped by a school essay she wrote about how her brother and his journey with autism formed her personal life.
“Whenever you’re 8 and also you see a sibling who has difficulties you attempt extraordinarily laborious to get your mother and father’ consideration,” Albane mentioned. “I used to be extraordinarily laborious working. I all the time tried to get A-pluses. I attempted to be one of the best golfer. I labored actually laborious to be the proper child.”
In 2017, Alexis caddied for Albane on the U.S. Ladies’s Beginner at San Diego Nation Membership, the place she defeated future world No. 1 Lilia Vu within the semifinals earlier than dropping within the ultimate. A author masking the event realized extra about her 15-year-old caddie and requested Diane if she may write a narrative about him.
As Albane superior within the recreation, Alexis began to caddie for her. Alexis says his autism is definitely a bonus on the golf course as a result of he has a photographic reminiscence. By watching YouTube movies, he can perceive precisely how a inexperienced breaks, what errors previous golfers have made on sure pictures and extra.
“I may even go perhaps 4 or 5 years again and bear in mind what shot [Albane] hit on which gap at which event,” Alexis mentioned. “I’m simply on the market making an attempt to assist her out and never put strain on her.”
In 2017, Alexis caddied for Albane on the U.S. Ladies’s Beginner at San Diego Nation Membership, the place she defeated future world No. 1 Lilia Vu within the semifinals earlier than dropping within the ultimate. A author masking the event realized extra about her 15-year-old caddie and requested Diane if she may write a narrative about him.
In response to the request, Alexis bravely determined to share his story for the primary time.
“I used to be very assured doing that interview however I didn’t count on the constructive end result it could have,” he mentioned.
Alexis didn’t wish to merely obtain accolades, nonetheless. He needed to assist others in an identical scenario to his.
Pushed by that want, he launched Alexis for Autism, a charity that raises cash for autism analysis and autism-related foundations by internet hosting golf occasions. For the primary occasion at Geneva Golf Membership in June 2018, Alexis needed to boost cash for analysis into early detection of autism.
“I assumed if I may elevate $10,000 that will be wonderful,” he mentioned.
Ultimately, the occasion raised near $400,000.
“I used to be very touched,” Alexis mentioned. “I used to be stunned however I used to be largely emotional as a result of there have been so many individuals prepared to assist me.”
Albane couldn’t have been prouder.
“It was actually inspirational how he took his personal problem in a constructive approach to help different households,” Albane mentioned. “That makes me a proud sister.”
When it got here time to use for school, Alexis needed to observe in Albane’s footsteps and attend Stanford. He wrote an essay about his personal expertise with autism however in the end didn’t get in. Each Alexis and Albane had been confused.
“He checked out me and mentioned, ‘How on earth are you able to speak about me and get in however after I write about myself I don’t,’” Albane mentioned.
It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. He enrolled at Southern Methodist College in 2020 and performed for the golf staff, which he considers his proudest second. Alexis performed in 4 tournaments and was a two-time American Athletic Convention All-Educational Group choice.
As a senior in 2024, Alexis was considering his future when he discovered the sports activities administration workplace on SMU’s campus. He walked in and requested for a pamphlet.
“I’ve all the time been into sports activities so I assumed that could possibly be an indication,” he mentioned.
After graduating, Alexis enrolled within the sports activities administration grasp’s program, from which he earned a level in Could. He subsequently secured a two-month internship with the PGA of America as an operations assistant for the 2025 KPMG Ladies’s PGA Championship at PGA Frisco.
“That was a variety of work, positively greater than full time,” Alexis mentioned. “We did near 100 hours of labor throughout that week. It was powerful but it surely was an amazing studying expertise.”
All of the whereas, Alexis was seeking to host his second Alexis for Autism golf occasion.
“Persons are terrified of autism,” he mentioned. “I would like folks to know there’s something that may be accomplished and there are tales that may be shared. I believe it could deliver hope to oldsters wherever they’re.”
Alexis hosted the occasion at TPC Las Colinas close to Dallas in September. Albane and a few of her sponsors had been among the many individuals.
“It turned out to be an excellent morning,” Alexis mentioned. “We solely performed 9 holes to maintain it easy for everyone and lift consciousness.”
“I instructed him after I met him, ‘Dude, after I was in highschool my mother and father had been glad if I received away from bed earlier than midday.’ He’s very effectively spoken, very considerate and passionate concerning the trigger.” – Dr. Peter Tsai
This time, Alexis for Autism raised funds to learn Dr. Peter Tsai’s analysis at College of Texas Southwestern Medical Middle. Tsai research how non-invasive stimulation of the cerebellum can enhance considering, motion, language and social connection for teenagers with autism.
Tsai first met Alexis on the occasion.
“When he had his first large fundraising occasion he was in highschool,” Tsai mentioned. “I instructed him after I met him, ‘Dude, after I was in highschool my mother and father had been glad if I received away from bed earlier than midday.’ He’s very effectively spoken, very considerate and passionate concerning the trigger.”
Alexis says he hopes to boost $50,000 to $100,000, however is touched by any quantity donated.
“So long as there’s an effort that’s being made, it already means quite a bit,” he mentioned.
Tsai says he’s grateful for Alexis’ work and want to assist people with autism.
“I’m impressed by him,” Tsai mentioned. “I’m impressed by his ardour and want to have an effect, to do one thing greater than himself.”
Final month, Alexis began working full time for Conectd Golf, the Dallas-based maker of a tool that’s primarily a launch monitor for placing. It’s the PGA Tour’s official placing expertise. And for Alexis, it’s a dream job.
“Golf is sort of a boomerang,” he mentioned. “You throw it on the market and growth, it hits you again.”
To donate to Alexis for Autism, click on right here.
Pictures Courtesy Alexis Valenzuela
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