Cizo Perez-Murray serves as a Direct Skills Provider (DSP) at S.L.A.T.E. Family Services, where he supports individuals in developing independence, confidence, self-advocacy, daily living skills, and greater participation in their communities.

Diagnosed with autism at the age of two, Cizo’s journey has been filled with learning, growth, determination, perseverance, and meaningful accomplishments. His story and personal development are deeply connected to the foundation of S.L.A.T.E. Family Services and directly inspired the organization’s commitment to helping individuals recognize their abilities and reach their fullest potential.

Role and Responsibilities

As a Direct Skills Provider, Cizo works with individuals to strengthen skills that support greater independence and confidence in everyday life. His role focuses on life skills, routines, communication, community participation, self-confidence, individual goals, and helping people recognize the abilities they already possess.

Cizo believes individuals should be encouraged to build upon their strengths rather than being defined by areas in which they need support.

Education and Professional Milestones

Cizo is a graduate of the Yelm Community School District and achieved a meaningful professional milestone when he became the first Special Education (SPED) student to return to the district and work as a substitute paraeducator.

Since January 2025, Cizo has continued serving the district in this role, bringing lived experience, empathy, and insight to educational settings. His journey from receiving services to helping provide support to others demonstrates his growth, perseverance, work ethic, and determination.

Personal Insight and Advocacy

Cizo is a strong self-advocate and advocate for others, particularly individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. He understands what it can feel like when people focus on a disability, limitation, or challenge instead of recognizing the whole person and what that individual is capable of accomplishing.

He believes every individual deserves opportunities to learn, grow, make choices, develop independence, discover personal strengths, and participate meaningfully in their own life and community.

Helping Others Discover Their Strengths

One of Cizo’s greatest goals is to help other individuals recognize their own strengths and develop those strengths to their fullest individual potential.

He understands that success does not look the same for everyone. Progress may mean learning a daily living skill, communicating a need, getting a job, participating in the community, developing a routine, advocating for oneself, or accomplishing something once believed to be out of reach.

Attributes and Impact

Cizo brings determination, authenticity, empathy, patience, perseverance, lived experience, and a genuine desire to help others succeed to the S.L.A.T.E. team.

Through his work as a Direct Skills Provider, paraeducator, self-advocate, and advocate for others, Cizo demonstrates the importance of seeing ability before limitation, potential before assumption, and the individual before the diagnosis.