Young man with autism thrives as dad joins him in college art classes
Ken Blahetka decided to give his son, Kevin, some one-on-one help by enrolling in classes with his son at Joliet Junior College.
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Ken Blahetka decided to give his son, Kevin, some one-on-one help by enrolling in classes with his son at Joliet Junior College.
Ken Blahetka decided to give his son, Kevin, some one-on-one help by enrolling in classes in photography, sketching, and other disciplines with his son at Joliet Junior College. CBS 2's Joe Donlon introduces us.
Debra Vines, CEO and founder of The Answer Inc, a local autism awareness and support agency, is working to help families impacted by autism, especially those who might not have access to critical services.
A recent study found that nearly 27% of kids with autism have "profound autism," which means they are nonverbal, minimally verbal, or have an IQ of less than 50. The study found that those with “profound autism” were more likely to be girls, come from a lower socioeconomic household, and be from minority racial and ethnic groups. Debra Vines, CEO and founder of The Answer Inc, a local autism awareness and support agency, is working to help families impacted by autism, especially those who might not have access to critical services.
Researchers are finding greater awareness and advanced diagnostic capabilities driving an increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism. CBS News’ Michael George introduces us to a family taking part in the world’s largest ongoing study on the subject.
For the first time, rates are higher among some racial and ethnic groups. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn reports.
As the wheelchair lift is moving, the bus aide walks over, points to the boy, and says: "He can't play. He going to sit right there and be tied up like a slave."
A bus attendant tried to restrain 9-year-old MaCaulay Frye, who has autism, in what the boy’s lawyers say might have involved tying his hands together. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports.
The Autism and Developmental Differences Expo starts at 10 a.m. at Malcolm X College and runs through 1 p.m.
The day school works with students from Chicago and the suburbs, from ages 5 to 21.
Have you visited the Chicago Auto Show yet? Here's something you might not know. Besides all the shiny new cars, each year the Auto Show raises money for several local charities. One of this year's recipients is a not-for-profit school in Naperville that is educating individuals with autism.
It still pains Josue Roblez that not a single classmate showed up. But his community stepped in thanks to a Facebook post from his mom.
When Josue Roblez's heart was broken on his birthday, the community turned out with more than just gifts – they showed love to an 8-year-old with autism. CBS 2's Jermont Terry reports.
Dave Carlin of CBS 2 in New York went behind the scenes of the autism-friendly off-Broadway musical.
Sometimes people can speak volumes without saying a single word. A young man who isn't able to talk has a lot to say about something that can save lives in an emergency.
A teenager with autism was humiliated to the point where he did not want to return to school – and his parents say it is for a good reason.
Free money is on the way to dozens of families with children on the autism spectrum.
A day after a Plainfield mother told CBS 2 she was keeping her special-needs son home from school because a bus driver shortage had stretched the commute time to four hours, the school district emailed her offering solutions.
The bus driver shortage has reached critical mass for one southwest suburban school district, which is now offering thousands of dollars to parents to help fill that gap.
It is nightmare fuel for parents - your child coming home from school with mystery bruises and being unable to explain what happened. A Belmont Heights mom said she lived that nightmare, and the fight that followed to get her out of that school made things worse. So she called CBS 2's Marie Saavedra and got quick results.
"They just told me, someone watched the video, from CPS and they called the DCFS hotline."
The tragic story of Kyrin Carter, the 12-year-old with autism found dead in the Little Calumet River Tuesday, serves as a very important reminder to educate those around us about autism elopement -- when a child or adult with autism wanders away.
Hammond Police said Kyrin was visiting with his family from Kansas City, when he walked out the back door of the Best Western near 179th Street and Cline Avenue around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Police in Hammond, Indiana were searching Saturday evening for a missing 12-year-old boy with autism.
We're in the middle of National Autism Awareness Month and a suburban police sergeant hopes to make departments across the country aware of his special needs tool.
Mia Dates received the very first key to Lynwood at the village hall on Tuesday night.
The lot on the 3200 block of West Division Street has sat empty for seven years, but could become a six-story affordable housing building.
The Hornetts handed the Bulls a 10th straight loss, matching their longest slide since January 2019.
The Bears have not received compensatory third-round picks via the NFL's reward for developing minority front office candidates.
While Poles considers his best options to put a roster together for next season, he also has to have future seasons in mind, especially with Caleb Williams still on his rookie contract.
The company behind delays in Cook County property tax bills and refunds has sent a letter to Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, refusing to work directly with her any longer, accusing her of using foul language and bullying their team.
From ICE raids in Chicago to the death of Rev. Jesse Jackson, several guests at Tuesday night's State of the Union address will have local connections to some of the biggest events of the past year, all as guests of members of Congress.
President Trump defended his first year back in office in his 2026 State of the Union address, touting his record on immigration, the economy, tariffs and more.
For the first time, Illinois Congressman Jonathan Jackson is speaking out about House Speaker Mike Johnson's decision denying the request for Jackson's late father, Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr., to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol.
A grand jury refused to return an indictment against the six Democratic lawmakers earlier this month.
This is after Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed an ordinance that would have banned most hemp-derived products this weekend.
This week marks Identity Theft Awareness Week, and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza emphasized some safety tips Monday for avoiding and dealing with identity theft.
A controversial data center in Naperville, Illinois, could be the cause to pack a city council meeting there on Tuesday night.
Police in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva are warning of a scam involving spoofed phone numbers.
Protesters on Tuesday were cranking up the heat on Peoples Gas over a recently proposed rate hike that would add an additional $10 to $11 a month to utility bills.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital announced this week that it is planning to open a new pediatric hospital in the west Chicago suburb of Downers Grove.
It has been nearly six years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and one of the many questions doctors are still working to answer concerns the long-term effects.
Leaders from Cook County, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository denounced changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on Wednesday.
The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center has received a grant from The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation for a new cancer center.
Chicago's Lurie Children's Hospital said Tuesday that it is no longer initiating gender-affirming medical treatment for minors.
The district laid out a $630 million plan to remake Soldier Field into a major concert venue and events space.
Lizard's Liquid Lounge announced recently that it will be closing for good in April after 18 years on Chicago's Northwest Side.
BP refinery workers in Northwest Indiana hit the picket line this past weekend as they escalate their fight for a contract.
Funkytown has now received a $3.7 million grant from the City of Chicago. The money will be used to create a new brewery and tap room on the Near West Side.
With his name now hanging in the rafters, former Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose is helping the United Center with its major redevelopment.
Nick Reiner, 32, was charged with two counts of murder in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
"Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi said in a TikTok video that her results at a post-op appointment for a cone biopsy showed stage 1 cervical cancer.
Garth Brooks, Ed Sheeran, Post Malone and Jelly Roll are among the artists headlining in the 2026 SummerFest in Milwaukee this summer.
Anderson Cooper will report multiple stories for "60 Minutes" before the end of the television season in May.
Warner Bros. Discovery said that Paramount Skydance is considering enhancing its buyout offer for the entertainment company.
Warming temps the next few days, from 30s Wednesday to 40s Thursday, then upper 50s on Friday.
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Republican strategist Pat Brady weigh in on the president’s one-hour and 47-minute speech.
Last month, 7-year-old Mia Dates' father, Xavier, was home with Mia and fell down the stairs and hit his head. Mia grabbed her dad's phone and calmly called 911.
As of now, the proposed plan is to create a six-story affordable housing building for 44 families.
Chicago police said Montonya Perry, 33, was charged with one felony count of murder and one felony count of vehicular hijacking.
President Trump defended his first year back in office in his 2026 State of the Union address, touting his record on immigration, the economy, tariffs and more.
Pappas denies allegations she used racial slurs, but isn't backing down in her criticism of Tyler Technologies.
A person of interest was in custody on Tuesday, a day after an Uber Eats delivery driver was found dead in the street on the West Side of Chicago near Loretto Hospital.
Mia Dates received the very first key to Lynwood at the village hall on Tuesday night.
The lot on the 3200 block of West Division Street has sat empty for seven years, but could become a six-story affordable housing building.
The company behind delays in Cook County property tax bills and refunds has sent a letter to Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, refusing to work directly with her any longer, accusing her of using foul language and bullying their team.
A family-owned toy company in north suburban Vernon Hills played a pivotal role in the surprise Supreme Court ruling Friday that struck down most of President Trump's tariffs.
The city of Chicago is about to write some big checks to thousands of vehicle owners who had their cars, vans, or trucks towed by the city without the proper warning.
Gary residents hoped the new partnership between U.S. Steel and Japanese company Nippon Steel would mean changes to how much coal is being used and how much emissions are being released, but that's not what's in the works.
Chef Art Smith said the carjacking and fatal shooting of his employee, Darwin Tirado, 22, was devastating not only to his family but also to the larger community.
The Hornetts handed the Bulls a 10th straight loss, matching their longest slide since January 2019.
The Bears have not received compensatory third-round picks via the NFL's reward for developing minority front office candidates.
While Poles considers his best options to put a roster together for next season, he also has to have future seasons in mind, especially with Caleb Williams still on his rookie contract.
Eight Cubs players and four White Sox players will be leaving spring training to play in the World Baseball Classic.
American skier Lindsey Vonn, who crashed seconds into her downhill race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, said she is finally out of the hospital as she recovers.
Two employees of a Des Plaines, Illinois daycare center stood charged Tuesday with battering children.
A Maywood woman was charged on Tuesday after allegedly carjacking the driver and fatally hitting him with his own car near Loretto Hospital on Monday.
Chicago police are searching for the person who shot a man and his dog in the West Pullman neighborhood.
Two teenage boys have been charged in three armed robberies that happened within 45 minutes Monday night.
Savannah Guthrie said in a new video that the family is offering an additional reward of up to $1 million for information about their mother Nancy Guthrie's whereabouts.
