NY1 | Randi Levine, policy director of Advocates for Children, an organization that helped Dezmin, said it’s stories like his that pushed the city to add funding — and as a result, hundreds of new seats — this year.

“We appreciate that hard work and progress. And we need the city to keep going to ensure there is a preschool special education class for every child who needs one this year, because we know that the need grows throughout the school year,” Levine said.

The education department says that as of this fall, it has met the need for special education seats, but will add more later this year, anticipating more children will need spots then.

Davis says she thinks they should also do a better job explaining the special education system to parents.

“Just explain the process. So everybody is very clear on it. So we can, we can get these things. And — make more seats available, teachers available, paraprofessionals, everything, because it’s now a shortage that we’re aware of. So let’s do something about it,” she said.

“These preschool special education classes and services help some children say their first words, take their first steps, learn to play with other children,” Levine told NY1. “Children with autism should not have to sit at home while other children get to go to preschool. It’s not fair, and it’s a violation of [the] law. Dezmin will never get back the time he missed last year. The city should not let this happen to any other child.”