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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Cool at School: Kindergarteners learn to code
Cool at School: Kindergarteners learn to code
Kindergarteners in Brooklyn are learning to code.
Kindergarteners in Brooklyn are learning to code.
Popular Brooklyn after-school program in jeopardy
Popular Brooklyn after-school program in jeopardy
A popular after-school program in Bed-Stuy is in jeopardy if the Department of Education decides to make way for a charter school.
A popular after-school program in Bed-Stuy is in jeopardy if the Department of Education decides to make way for a charter school.
A popular after-school program in Bed-Stuy is in jeopardy if the Department of Education decides to make way for a charter school.
A popular after-school program in Bed-Stuy is in jeopardy if the Department of Education decides to make way for a charter school.
Brooklyn family raises autism awareness
Brooklyn family raises autism awareness
A Brooklyn family is on a mission to show children with autism that it's OK to be different.
A Brooklyn family is on a mission to show children with autism that it's OK to be different.
A Brooklyn family is on a mission to show children with autism that it's OK to be different.
NYC schools chancellor continues tour to meet students
NYC schools chancellor continues tour to meet students
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza is continuing his tour to meet public school students throughout the city.
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza is continuing his tour to meet public school students throughout the city.
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza is continuing his tour to meet public school students throughout the city.
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza is continuing his tour to meet public school students throughout the city.
Mom to sue city, DOE over fight that hurt teen daughter
Mom to sue city, DOE over fight that hurt teen daughter
A Brooklyn mother is suing the city and Department of Education for negligence, claiming they should have stopped a brawl on school premises that injured her teenage daughter.
A Brooklyn mother is suing the city and Department of Education for negligence, claiming they should have stopped a brawl on school premises that injured her teenage daughter.
A Brooklyn mother is suing the city and Department of Education for negligence, claiming they should have stopped a brawl on school premises that injured her teenage daughter.
A Brooklyn mother is suing the city and Department of Education for negligence, claiming they should have stopped a brawl on school premises that injured her teenage daughter.
Downtown Brooklyn town hall addresses school diversity
Downtown Brooklyn town hall addresses school diversity
A town hall meeting in Downtown Brooklyn organized by the city Department of Education and education advocates was held Tuesday with the goal of having a meaningful conversation about school diversity.
A town hall meeting in Downtown Brooklyn organized by the city Department of Education and education advocates was held Tuesday with the goal of having a meaningful conversation about school diversity.
A town hall meeting in Downtown Brooklyn organized by the city Department of Education and education advocates was held Tuesday with the goal of having a meaningful conversation about school diversity.
Girls empowerment program comes to Bushwick school
Girls empowerment program comes to Bushwick school
The auditorium of I.S. 45 in Bushwick was packed Tuesday for a girls empowerment program called "Power to Be."
The auditorium of I.S. 45 in Bushwick was packed Tuesday for a girls empowerment program called "Power to Be."
The auditorium of I.S. 45 in Bushwick was packed Tuesday for a girls empowerment program called "Power to Be."
The auditorium of I.S. 45 in Bushwick was packed Tuesday for a girls empowerment program called "Power to Be."
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.
Mayor Bill de Blasio hands child Pre-K acceptance letter at BK school
Mayor Bill de Blasio hands child Pre-K acceptance letter at BK school
Mayor Bill de Blasio hand delivered a pre-K acceptance letter to a child in Brooklyn Thursday in recognition of All Acceptance Day. All Acceptance Day is a day when New York City parents find out which pre-K their child has been accepted to. The mayor presented 4-year-old Adrian and his mother, Stephanie, with the acceptance letter at Sunset Park Elementary, where he will attend classes beginning next year. The single mother, who works part-time and attends Lehman College, says edu...
Mayor Bill de Blasio hand delivered a pre-K acceptance letter to a child in Brooklyn Thursday in recognition of All Acceptance Day. All Acceptance Day is a day when New York City parents find out which pre-K their child has been accepted to. The mayor presented 4-year-old Adrian and his mother, Stephanie, with the acceptance letter at Sunset Park Elementary, where he will attend classes beginning next year. The single mother, who works part-time and attends Lehman College, says edu...
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Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
Florida Georgia Line is set to rock Atlantic City on July 13.
The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City has announced that it will be opening its doors to the public on June 28 at the site of the old Trump Taj Mahal. Throughout the summer and early fall, the Hard Rock will live up to its name with a lineup of some of music's biggest stars.
The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City has announced that it will be opening its doors to the public on June 28 at the site of the old Trump Taj Mahal. Throughout the summer and early fall, the Hard Rock will live up to its name with a lineup of some of music's biggest stars.
Former first lady Barbara Bush through the years
Former first lady Barbara Bush through the years
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
Brooklyn Birthday Smiles
Brooklyn Birthday Smiles
It's a celebration! Is your or a loved one's birthday coming up? Let us know! Send us your photos and you could end up on air and News12.com!
It's a celebration! Is your or a loved one's birthday coming up? Let us know! Send us your photos and you could end up on air and News12.com!
It's a celebration! Is your or a loved one's birthday coming up? Let us know! Send us your photos and you could end up on air and News12.com!
Guide: Amusement Parks
Guide: Amusement Parks
Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure
The tri-state area has a handful of amusement parks that you may want to check out this summer.
The tri-state area has a handful of amusement parks that you may want to check out this summer.
2018 Event Lineup at the Barclays Center
2018 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)
The Barclays Center in Brooklyn is rolling out a new concert lineup for 2018.
The Barclays Center in Brooklyn is rolling out a new concert lineup for 2018.
Guide: National park sites in the tristate area
Guide: National park sites in the tristate area
A guide to the national park sites and trails on Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
A guide to the national park sites and trails on Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
2018 Foxwoods Resort Casino performer lineup
2018 Foxwoods Resort Casino performer lineup
A look at the performers and acts coming in 2018 to Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
A look at the performers and acts coming in 2018 to Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
2018 Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival Performers
2018 Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival Performers
Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival
Here are the artists who will be performing in Prospect Park this summer.
Here are the artists who will be performing in Prospect Park this summer.
2018 Ford Amphitheater Summer Concert Lineup
2018 Ford Amphitheater Summer Concert Lineup
The Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk is rolling out its summer concert lineup for 2018.
The Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk is rolling out its summer concert lineup for 2018.
The Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk is rolling out its summer concert lineup for 2018.
Brooklyn Top StoriesBrooklyn Top StoriesMore>>
Man wanted for questioning in fatal stabbing of retired MTA bus driver
Man wanted for questioning in fatal stabbing of retired MTA bus driver
A man is wanted for questioning in the death of a former MTA bus driver.
A man is wanted for questioning in the death of a former MTA bus driver.
#N12BK: ‘Fearless Girl’ statue moving
#N12BK: ‘Fearless Girl’ statue moving
The 'Fearless Girl' statue is making a move.
The 'Fearless Girl' statue is making a move.
Man arrested for breaking into home, attempting to sexually assault sisters
Man arrested for breaking into home, attempting to sexually assault sisters
Isaac Hernandez is accused of breaking into the home near 40th Street and 15th Avenue Tuesday before attempting to sexually assault a 14-year-old girl who was asleep inside her bedroom
A man accused of breaking into a Brooklyn home and attempting to sexually assault two sisters while they were asleep has been arrested, police say.
A man accused of breaking into a Brooklyn home and attempting to sexually assault two sisters while they were asleep has been arrested, police say.
What's Going On: April 21-22
What's Going On: April 21-22
There's plenty of fun things to do in Brooklyn.
There's plenty of fun things to do in Brooklyn.
Wake held for man shot by police while brandishing pipe
Wake held for man shot by police while brandishing pipe
Mourners attended wake services Thursday for Saheed Vassell, the mentally ill Crown Heights man who police shot and killed after he brandished a pipe that officers and witnesses say they mistook for a gun.
Mourners attended wake services Thursday for Saheed Vassell, the mentally ill Crown Heights man who police shot and killed after he brandished a pipe that officers and witnesses say they mistook for a gun.
Mourners attended wake services Thursday for Saheed Vassell, the mentally ill Crown Heights man who police shot and killed after he brandished a pipe that officers and witnesses say they mistook for a gun.
Activists urge Stop and Shop boycott after alleged shoplifter dies
Activists urge Stop and Shop boycott after alleged shoplifter dies
Activists are calling for a boycott of Stop and Shop after a suspected shoplifter died following an altercation with security.
Activists are calling for a boycott of Stop and Shop after a suspected shoplifter died following an altercation with security.
Activists are calling for a boycott of Stop and Shop after a suspected shoplifter died following an altercation with security.
Bushwick man stabbed to death at home was landlord
Bushwick man stabbed to death at home was landlord
City records confirm that Otis James, a retired MTA bus driver, owned 494 Central Ave.
The Bushwick man found stabbed to death in his home next to his wheelchair Tuesday was also the building's landlord, neighbors say.
The Bushwick man found stabbed to death in his home next to his wheelchair Tuesday was also the building's landlord, neighbors say.
Dad charged after 6-month-old's head injury
Dad charged after 6-month-old's head injury
Police charged his 24-year-old father Shatwaun Gilmore with assault and endangering the welfare of a child Thursday.
A Gates Avenue father found his 6-month-old son unconscious in their apartment Tuesday, police say, and now the child is in the hospital and the dad is in police custody.
A Gates Avenue father found his 6-month-old son unconscious in their apartment Tuesday, police say, and now the child is in the hospital and the dad is in police custody.
Brooklyn Style: Shen Beauty
Brooklyn Style: Shen Beauty
A Brooklyn beauty store has a focus on natural skin care products.
A Brooklyn beauty store has a focus on natural skin care products.
Bushwick inventor’s Rube Goldberg machines go viral
Bushwick inventor’s Rube Goldberg machines go viral
A Brooklyn man has found modest internet fame by creating Rube Goldberg machines -- complicated contraptions designed to elaborately perform simple tasks.
A Brooklyn man has found modest internet fame by creating Rube Goldberg machines -- complicated contraptions designed to elaborately perform simple tasks.
A Brooklyn man has found modest internet fame by creating Rube Goldberg machines -- complicated contraptions designed to elaborately perform simple tasks.
