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.
Serve Robotics said that while they figure out how this happened, they will cover the cost of the already-repaired glass, calling the crash landing extremely rare.
Violet Harris, 15, was killed after being struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding an e-scooter in the South Shore neighborhood over the weekend.
The Bulls (29-42) led by as many as 22 points after scoring a season-high 41 points in the first quarter.
Hobart Fire Department said around noon that they responded to a mutual aid request for a report of a vehicle that was overturned on its roof in the river.
Service on the Metra Union Pacific-West line was halted during the Monday evening rush after a train hit a semi-trailer truck near west suburban Berkeley.
The DOJ's Recognition and Accreditation program enables non-attorneys to assist immigrants with needs including naturalization petitions and immigration court appearances.
Rahm Emanuel is proposing a far-reaching measure to crack down on betting in predictive markets in Washington as part of an effort to call attention to what he sees as a culture of corruption gripping the nation's politics.
In a 54 to 37 vote, two Democrats voted with all Republicans in attendance to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination. A final confirmation vote is expected in the coming days.
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.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias this weekend issued a warning about a surge in text messages that falsely claim to come from his office or the DMV within it.
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.
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."
Following a ribbon-cutting attended by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Saturday, people were let inside the new space, at 5035 N. Broadway right off Argyle Street, for a special open house.
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.
Bystanders captured the seven dogs walking along a busy highway. Animal rescue volunteers said the dogs somehow escaped after they were stolen by dog meat traders and were trying to get back home.
The state health department warns against drinking unpasteurized milk because it can make people sick.
Scientists at the University of Texas at El Paso gave fruit flies caffeine at night. The flies were more likely to fly recklessly if they were caffeinated in the evening hours. Female flies felt stronger effects.
The effect is when stress or a period of heightened tension triggers a headache or a migraine once you've finally relaxed.
The grocery chain has also recalled its chicken fried rice, Japanese-style fried rice, and chicken shu mai. The recall was issued after customers found pieces of glass in the food, which investigators say likely came from carrot processing.
Serve Robotics said that while they figure out how this happened, they will cover the cost of the already-repaired glass, calling the crash landing extremely rare.
Violet Harris, 15, was killed after being struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding an e-scooter in the South Shore neighborhood over the weekend.
Burglars crashed into the renowned Golden Apple Grille and Breakfast House in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood early Monday morning, while the 24-hour restaurant was open.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived at O'Hare International Airport Monday morning, CBS News Chicago confirmed.
The man charged in the murder of Sheridan Gorman missed his first court appearance because he was being treated for tuberculosis, prosecutors said.
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.
The Bulls (29-42) led by as many as 22 points after scoring a season-high 41 points in the first quarter.
Tickets to a pair of Blackhawks games in Germany next season will go on sale on Friday.
Chicago's win was the team's first of the season after losing 4-0 to Angel City FC last weekend.
Bedard scored his team-leading 29th goal, and Nick Lardis connected as the Blackhawks lost their second straight.
Chanting in celebration, Illinois fans basked in a second-round victory in the tournament over Virginia Commonwealth University.
Burglars crashed into the renowned Golden Apple Grille and Breakfast House in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood early Monday morning, while the 24-hour restaurant was open.
A man was detained until trial Monday on charges in the death of a Chicago firefighter who died fighting a blaze in the city's Rogers Park neighborhood.
The man charged in the murder of Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman last week missed his first court appearance on Monday, because he was being treated for tuberculosis, prosecutors said.
Police in London are investigating a suspected antisemitic hate crime after vehicles belonging to a Jewish ambulance service were set on fire early Monday morning.
Chicago police on Sunday continued to question a person of interest in the shooting that killed Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman in Rogers Park.
