Brooklyn family raises autism awareness
Posted: Updated:A Brooklyn family is on a mission to show children with autism that it's OK to be different.
Nicholas Sirota is an athletic 14-year-old who recently scored a spot at a top high school. But it wasn't always this way. He says he struggled as a child after being diagnosed with autism.
"I didn't really know how to interact with other kids...but with support from everyone that I know and everyone that I love, I have overcome all that," he says.
Sirota credits his growth to his loving family and a series of educational support programs. He and his mother are now teaming up with his former preschool, Steps to Success, to help other kids with autism get the same opportunities. They plan to accomplish that by raising funds for the nonprofit Autism Speaks.
Sirota's mother will run a marathon this fall, hoping the donations to her cause can help fund brighter futures.
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Health Dept. bars unvaccinated kids from yeshivas amid measles outbreak
Health Dept. bars unvaccinated kids from yeshivas amid measles outbreak
Members of the Orthodox Jewish community who have not been vaccinated are being barred from local yeshivas amid a measles outbreak.
Members of the Orthodox Jewish community who have not been vaccinated are being barred from local yeshivas amid a measles outbreak.
Mom: 3rd-grader’s bus no-shows multiple times a week
Mom: 3rd-grader’s bus no-shows multiple times a week
A mother struggling to keep her job and get her son to school says his bus simply doesn’t show up for days at a time.
A mother struggling to keep her job and get her son to school says his bus simply doesn’t show up for days at a time.
Mother claims Riverdale teacher dragged son by his clothing into hallway
Mother claims Riverdale teacher dragged son by his clothing into hallway
An investigation has begun after a Brownsville mother says her child was dragged from his desk and into a hallway at school.
An investigation has begun after a Brownsville mother says her child was dragged from his desk and into a hallway at school.
‘Strike that changed NY’ remembered in Brownsville
‘Strike that changed NY’ remembered in Brownsville
Brooklyn residents came together Saturday to celebrate “the strike the changed New York” 50 years ago.
Brooklyn residents came together Saturday to celebrate “the strike the changed New York” 50 years ago.
Brooklyn residents came together Saturday to celebrate “the strike the changed New York” 50 years ago.
Brooklyn residents came together Saturday to celebrate “the strike the changed New York” 50 years ago.
Parents of special-needs students say bus issues worse than ever
Parents of special-needs students say bus issues worse than ever
Parents of special-needs children at Brooklyn Blue Feather Elementary School say bus problems have never been worse and pose a danger to their kids.
Parents of special-needs children at Brooklyn Blue Feather Elementary School say bus problems have never been worse and pose a danger to their kids.
Back to school: Healthy lunches
Back to school: Healthy lunches
A child takes part in a New York City program teaching school children how to make healthy lunches.
A child takes part in a New York City program teaching school children how to make healthy lunches.
A program is teaching school children how to make their own healthy lunches.
A program is teaching school children how to make their own healthy lunches.
NYC school speed camera program expires
NYC school speed camera program expires
The New York City school speed camera program came to an end Wednesday after the state Assembly failed to come to an agreement on its extension.
The New York City school speed camera program came to an end Wednesday after the state Assembly failed to come to an agreement on its extension.
Students showcase environmental projects
Students showcase environmental projects
The second annual Department of Education sustainability showcase event was held at St. Francis College.
The second annual Department of Education sustainability showcase event was held at St. Francis College.
Prospect Park Audubon Center hosts kid-friendly winter activities
Prospect Park Audubon Center hosts kid-friendly winter activities
The Prospect Park Audubon Center is hosting kid-friendly nature activities for the winter.
The Prospect Park Audubon Center is hosting kid-friendly nature activities for the winter.
The Prospect Park Audubon Center is hosting kid-friendly nature activities for the winter.
Nets players, kids revisit African-American basketball history
Nets players, kids revisit African-American basketball history
Nets players, kids revisit African-American basketball history A group of children were accompanied by Nets players as they toured the Barclays Center to view photos of historical black basketball pioneers.
Nets players, kids revisit African-American basketball history A group of children were accompanied by Nets players as they toured the Barclays Center to view photos of historical black basketball pioneers.
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PHOTOS: George H.W. Bush through the years
PHOTOS: George H.W. Bush through the years
George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, died Nov. 30 at the age of 94.
George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, died Nov. 30 at the age of 94.
PHOTOS: Services for former President George HW Bush
PHOTOS: Services for former President George HW Bush
Former President George HW Bush died Nov. 30 in Houston, Texas.
Former President George HW Bush died Nov. 30 in Houston, Texas.
Notable deaths of 2018
Notable deaths of 2018
Photos of celebrities, politicians and other notable people who passed in 2018.
Photos of celebrities, politicians and other notable people who passed in 2018.
Your 2018 Brooklyn Holiday Lights Photos
Your 2018 Brooklyn Holiday Lights Photos
Do you have an amazing holiday lights display? We want to see it! Upload photos to the site or post them on Instagram and Twitter with #BKHolidayLights.
Do you have an amazing holiday lights display? We want to see it! Upload photos to the site or post them on Instagram and Twitter with #BKHolidayLights.
Photos: A look back at the 2013 Metro-North derailment, 5 years later
A look back at the 2013 Metro-North derailment, 5 years later
Dec. 1 marks the fifth anniversary of the 2013 Metro-North Hudson Line derailment that killed four people near the Spuyten Duyvil station in the Bronx.
Dec. 1 marks the fifth anniversary of the 2013 Metro-North Hudson Line derailment that killed four people near the Spuyten Duyvil station in the Bronx.
'O Christmas Tree:' Lightings across the nation
'O Christmas Tree:' Lightings across the nation
The 86th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center was held on Nov. 28, 2018 in New York City.
The 86th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center was held on Nov. 28, 2018 in New York City.
The holidays are upon us - and with them the traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremonies across the nation!
The holidays are upon us - and with them the traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremonies across the nation!
Your Brooklyn 2018 Holiday Photos
Your Brooklyn 2018 Holiday Photos
Celebrating the holidays with your loved ones? We want to see your photos!
Celebrating the holidays with your loved ones? We want to see your photos!
Just Married in Brooklyn
Just Married in Brooklyn
News 12 Brooklyn wants to announce your wedding.
News 12 Brooklyn wants to announce your wedding. If you were married in the past 90 days, please submit your photos via Twitter or Instagram using #JustMarriedBK.
News 12 Brooklyn wants to announce your wedding. If you were married in the past 90 days, please submit your photos via Twitter or Instagram using #JustMarriedBK.
Event Lineup at the Barclays Center
Event Lineup at the Barclays Center
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 27: Musicians and husband and wife Tim McGraw and Faith Hill perform during their Soul2Soul Tour at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on October 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
A lot of big acts are coming to the Barclays Center.
A lot of big acts are coming to the Barclays Center.
Gift Guides: Gifts for everyone on your list
Gift Guides: Gifts for everyone on your list
From Jack-Jack, of the "Incredibles," to the newest Fingerlings toy, we have a list of the hottest toys for the kids in your list!
We have a list of the best gifts for everyone on your list!
We have a list of the best gifts for everyone on your list!
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Police seek vehicle in connection to firefighter’s death on Belt Pkwy.
Police seek vehicle in connection to firefighter’s death on Belt Pkwy.
The NYPD is asking for the public's help identifying a vehicle in connection to the death of a firefighter on the Belt Parkway Sunday.
The NYPD is asking for the public's help identifying a vehicle in connection to the death of a firefighter on the Belt Parkway Sunday.
Firefighters: 2 young girls killed in Bushwick fire
Firefighters: 2 young girls killed in Bushwick fire
Two children have died after a fire gutted the second floor of a three-story building in Bushwick late Saturday night.
Two children have died after a fire gutted the second floor of a three-story building in Bushwick late Saturday night.
Pence aide out of running to be Trump's next chief of staff
Pence aide out of running to be Trump's next chief of staff
President Donald Trump's top pick to replace chief of staff John Kelly, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill the role.
President Donald Trump's top pick to replace chief of staff John Kelly, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill the role.
Neighbors recount chaotic scene of Canarsie shooting that injured FBI agent
Neighbors recount chaotic scene of Canarsie shooting that injured FBI agent
Canarsie residents were left shaken up after shots rang out in their neighborhood Saturday, injuring an FBI agent.
Canarsie residents were left shaken up after shots rang out in their neighborhood Saturday, injuring an FBI agent.
MTA seeks 2-year extension to install PTC
MTA seeks 2-year extension to install PTC
The MTA is asking for more time to install potentially life-saving technology to the LIRR.
The MTA is asking for more time to install potentially life-saving technology to the LIRR.
The MTA is asking for more time to install potentially life-saving technology to the LIRR.
Ikea rolling out smaller showrooms in major cities
Ikea rolling out smaller showrooms in major cities
The new stores will be about one-quarter the size of a regular Ikea stores and will not include the traditional warehouse format.
The new stores will be about one-quarter the size of a regular Ikea stores and will not include the traditional warehouse format.
Neighborhood Brief for Dec. 9
Neighborhood Brief for Dec. 9
Police release video of suspects in 21-year-old’s slaying
Police release video of suspects in 21-year-old’s slaying
The NYPD has released video of men wanted in connection to a deadly shooting in Bed-Stuy.
The NYPD has released video of men wanted in connection to a deadly shooting in Bed-Stuy.
Motorcycle gang revs up blood donations with blood drive honoring friend
Motorcycle gang revs up blood donations with blood drive honoring friend
Motorcycle gang revs up blood donations with blood drive honoring friend
Members of the motorcycle community organized a blood drive Saturday afternoon in honor of a friend who almost lost her life in a motorcycle accident.
Members of the motorcycle community organized a blood drive Saturday afternoon in honor of a friend who almost lost her life in a motorcycle accident.
Brooklyn group brings Christmas magic to homeless families
Brooklyn group brings Christmas magic to homeless families
Brooklyn group brings Christmas magic to homeless families
A Brooklyn volunteer group is making sure not to forget anyone this holiday season with its annual Christmas party for homeless families in Bed-Stuy.
A Brooklyn volunteer group is making sure not to forget anyone this holiday season with its annual Christmas party for homeless families in Bed-Stuy.
