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.
A driver was killed in a crash in Chicago's Grand Crossing neighborhood Saturday night.
Two people were critically injured early Sunday when a car was torn apart in the Ashburn neighborhood on Chicago's Southwest Side.
Chicago police were investigating Sunday morning after a man was found shot in the head in the city's Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
Chicago police on Sunday were looking for the driver behind a hit-and-run that left a teenage girl dead in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood.
One person was killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood Saturday night.
Robert Mueller served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013 and led the investigation into allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Wait times aren't expected to improve until government funding is restored and TSA officers receive paychecks.
Chicago's public safety plan is in flux after Mayor Brandon Johnson fired his deputy mayor of community safety, Garien Gatewood.
It is unclear under what circumstances President Trump would authorize the use of U.S. troops on the ground in Iran.
The first Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is coming from the Pacific, is still making its way toward the region.
Tenants at a South Loop luxury high-rise that has been plagued with problems like broken elevators are vowing to fight five-day eviction notices.
It's become an annual March Madness tradition at CBS Chicago, pitting our city's best eateries in direct competition in a foodie bracket challenge. We did pizza, we've done Italian beef, we've done Chicago dogs. This year, we're taking flight with wings.
For Cook County residents hoping to lower their property tax bills, applications are open for exemptions.
Officials in the north Chicago suburb of Wilmette issued a warning Tuesday about scammers who are impersonating representatives of village departments.
The war with Iran is causing gas prices to surge, with motorists in Chicago and around the country guaranteed to feel the impact at the pump Monday morning.
A new Iowa law bans local nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity after the state became the first in the U.S. to roll back its civil rights code last year.
Food containing norovirus may smell and taste normal but still cause serious illness if consumed, FDA warns.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced a $1.5 billion investment from biotherapeutics company CSL for a new plasma therapy manufacturing plant in Kanakee.
When a doctor was told there was no cure for his daughter's condition, he was motivated to transform not only her health, but the lives of thousands of others.
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.
Hundreds of workers were locked out of the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana, on Thursday after contract negotiations failed to produce a deal ahead of a midnight deadline.
The artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency industries have suffered a setback as they try to reshape the midterm elections and establish themselves as power players in American politics.
Wednesday marked the last day to help celebrate Lou Malnati's pizzeria's 55th birthday with a special deal.
Despite a rash of restaurant closures, veterans of the plant-based food business pushed back against prophecies of doom — and in one case argued that such closures notwithstanding, plant-based eating is only growing.
Two popular Chicago craft breweries – Half Acre Beer Co. and Maplewood Brewery & Distillery – announced on Tuesday they are merging to create a new "premier Chicago beverage company."
Chuck Norris' family said his death at 86 was sudden, but did not share any details on the cause.
ABC has canceled its already filmed season of "The Bachelorette" starring Taylor Frankie Paul after video surfaced of a 2023 incident in which she was charged with assault.
Acclaimed Chicago bar and music venue The Hideout has been sold to a performer and former employee, but the owners said it will carry on as the same beloved place that visitors have always known.
Afroman spoke to CBS News after he won the case, which tested the limits of parody and the license artists can take in social commentary directed at public figures.
The late Sister Jean has been honored with T-shirts, socks, and bobbleheads — and now her spirit lives on with a new documentary.
Suzanne Le Mignot shows us some photos that she and producer extraordinaire Natalie McMillan took of Chicagohenge, and Mary Kay Kleist shows us a lot of snow in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
A car was torn apart in the crash on Columbus Avenue near Central Park Avenue.
Chicago police were investigating Sunday morning after a man was found shot in the head in the city’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
The unofficial start of outdoor running season kicks off with the 2026 Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday morning. Darius Johnson is joined by Carey Pinkowski, executive director and founder of Chicago Event Management.
Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led a special counsel probe into ties between Russia and Donald Trump's presidential campaign, has died.
Chicago police on Sunday were looking for the driver behind a hit-and-run that left a teenage girl dead in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood.
One person was killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood Saturday night.
Thousands of runners hit the pavement in Grant Park to participate in an 8K run or 2-mile walk.
Chicago police are questing a person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman.
A driver was killed in a crash in Chicago's Grand Crossing neighborhood Saturday night.
United Steel Workers union representatives said that some workers had already had their access cards deactivated.
Have you ever walked into a business with no employees? You may soon; autonomous businesses are becoming more popular.
Streets were left pooled with rainwater, and homes flooded after Sunday night's storms. Residents say there is one clear solution
Attorneys for the family of a woman killed in a crash during a high-speed police chase in 2017 say officers involved failed to activate their body cameras or turned them off during the pursuit.
A new specialized unit is being created to prosecute domestic violence homicides in Cook County, as these killings surged 15% last year, even as overall violent crime declined across Chicago.
Chanting in celebration, Illinois fans basked in a second-round victory in the tournament over Virginia Commonwealth University.
Illinois will now go on to face Houston on Thursday, March 26, at the Toyota Center.
Nathan MacKinnon had three assists in Colorado's 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, helping the Avalanche become the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season.
The Fighting Illini are dreaming of a trip to the Sweet 16 after a dominating win Thursday night against Penn. Next up for No. 3-seeded Illinois is a showdown with No. 11 seed VCU on Saturday night.
David Mirkovic had 29 points and 17 rebounds, and No. 3 seed Illinois dominated No. 14 seed Penn 105-70 on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Chicago police were investigating Sunday morning after a man was found shot in the head in the city's Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
One person was killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood Saturday night.
The ages of the victims range from 22 to 57, according to Chicago police.
Kendra Duggar was charged with multiple misdemeanors a day after husband Joseph Duggar's arrest.
A man was charged Thursday after a long police chase that alternated between high and low speeds on interstates through Chicago's north suburbs the day before.
