Ryan Akabusi, 8, died over the weekend after authorities told KPRC 2 he wandered away from his home and into a nearby lake.

"Our hearts are heavy with grief for Aisha and her family," Fulshear police said. "We deeply appreciate everyone who helped in the search and shared the information. Please keep Aisha's family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time."

The district isn't saying how many teachers are what they're accused of, but they've called investigators in from Texas Child Protective Services and Harris County.

Emily Ortiz tells KPRC 2/s Rilwan Balogun that it took the school more than an hour to tell her they were looking for her son.

April is World Autism Month

Caravans of cowboys and cowgirls are heading to Houston from all across Texas, and the Prairie View Trail Riders had a special stop to make along the way.

Lindsay Naeder was saddened by the news that 5-year-old Los Jones had drowned in a retention pond Thursday.

‘A Tribute to Live Aid’ festival kicks off Autism Awareness Month on April 1st with Jennifer Tyler from 106.9 The Eagle.

One in 44 children are diagnosed with autism. But according to a new study- services are limited, especially in many neighborhoods with people with color. There is now a virtual clinic for Autism evaluations called ‘As You Are’ that help children in Houston and surrounding areas get access to services.

Houston Newsmakers: Annual Minority Suppliers Expo goes hybrid in 2022, and more

The family of an 8-year-old boy who is diagnosed with Autism expressed concern over services offered to students with intellectual challenges after they said a teacher mishandled their son during an emotional outburst.

Brundidge is a children’s book author who has written books about her three children who have autism. She has made it her life’s work to help all children with special needs.

Legoland Florida Resort is officially designated as a certified autism center, making it the first theme park resort to receive this certification.

According to the latest research, one and 45 adults have autism.

Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought we’d ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps you’ve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?

5 things to know about neurodiversity and why it's becoming a hot topic.

Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought we’d ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps you’ve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?

A closer look into life on the spectrum. And one mom’s mission to make sure no one is held back because of a diagnosis.

One way to cope with any extra stress or anxiety is to have the kids engage in play time to help develop motor skills, social skills and language development, according to Dr. Jen Harstein, a children’s developmental psychologist who works with autistic children daily.

Autism can be explained medically as a bio-neurological development disability, but to get into the nuanced details is quite a bit more complicated.

A young boy’s parents are grateful to a police officer who showed up at their home after an unusual 911 call from their 12-year-old son with autism.

The creators of the show, “Farm! A Musical Experience,” designed the play specifically for children with autism, and for other kids who are neurodiverse.

The all-new Peppa Pig Theme Park will open as a certified autism center, leaders announced Tuesday at the IAAPA Expo at the Orange County Convention Center.

Parents of an 11-year-old boy with autism want to know how their son was able to wander several miles from his school before administrators notified them, likely prolonging a disappearance they said should have been reported and solved sooner.

Bubba Salinas is a sophomore at Jordan High School in Katy ISD. He is also a member of the marching band, and his parents say he loves making art.

For much of his life, Timothy Rohrer, a now-young adult who was diagnosed with autism as a second-grader, has dealt with exclusion from his peers.

Daniel Brundidge, a then 4-year-old Houston non-verbal child with autism, became viral in 2019 after his mom caught him humming to the Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ hit song “Old Town Road.”

For Anthony and Sammy Taormina, there are two dates that define their lives as people with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.

A teacher who helps preside over a program for students with autism, Carrie Jones knows full well some aspects the general public might not understand.

Houston artist Grant Maniér could be defined as a Renaissance man.

Track and field and swimming are among the team sports that might be best for children with autism.

What started as part of an after-school gathering for a group of teenagers and young adults on the autism spectrum, turned into an inspiring musical project.

Finding love can be hard for anyone.

April has widely been known as Autism Awareness Month in the U.S., as a way to empower people living with autism and their families.

These instruments provide good and simple ways for children with autism or other sensory disorders to develop motor skills and have fun.

Nichole Wilson is the founder and editor-in-chief of Autism Moms Are Beautiful (AMAB) Magazine, an incredible resource for moms raising children on the autism spectrum.

A Houston non-profit is helping adults with autism learn important life skills.

25-year-old Taylor Duncan is breaking barriers for individuals with autism and special needs through his favorite sport.

For a long time, the month of April has been about Autism awareness but that notion is now changing.The organization, Autism Speaks, says it is now more about acceptance and creating more opportunities for adults living with autism.

There’s a new friend in the neighborhood!“ Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” that is.

For this week’s Voices of Houston we are sharing the story of a mom who first created a Facebook group and a magazine for moms of children living with Autism.Both have allowed so many parents to connect and to support each other, as well as, grow some new businesses.

Autism may bring challenges for those who live with it, but celebrities with autism have shown they can overcome those challenges to achieve tremendous things and fulfill their dreams.

William Gray is a talented local singer-songwriter who is beating the odds and helping others along the way.

In KPRC 2′s Voices of Houston series, we are profiling a Houston man who has made it his mission to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder after his young niece was diagnosed with it six years ago.

Disney offers a special card for those who have trouble waiting in long lines because of a disability.

For fans of Julia, the 4-year-old Muppet with autism on “Sesame Street,” you are in luck.

After dealing with exclusion by his peers over the years, Timothy Rohrer, a now-young adult who was diagnosed with autism as a second-grader, penned and published a pamphlet in which he basically guides people on how to treat those with disabilities.

Nationally and internationally, April is a big month for autism awareness.

Lights atop a police cruiser flash at the scene of a crime in this undated file image. CYPRESS, Texas – Deputy constables have found the parents of a child they said was found walking in the roadway in Fairfield Friday. Deputy constables said they located the child, who is described as being a white male child between the ages of three and six, walking in the roadway at Mason Road and Maple Village Drive. Deputy Constables have located a white male child between the ages of 3 and 6 walking in the roadway at Mason Rd and Maple Village Dr in Fairfield. pic.twitter.com/k59QiV0ix1 — Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 (@Pct4Constable) January 22, 2021Deputies were searching the area looking for the child’s residence.

Jaxon Maples is a 4-year-old boy with autism, and many days, he has trouble communicating and speaking clearly. But there is one place where those things aren’t a problem for him.

– Families across Texas are struggling to pay for Autism therapy even though legislation was approved last year to help offset those costs. When a child is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, parents are often told Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy is their best bet for treatment. While ABA therapy was supposed to be covered by Texas Medicaid, more than 70,000 children in Texas, who are eligible for this treatment if they need it, still don’t have access to it. But for many Texas children enrolled in Medicaid, they are still waiting. Having the coverage through Texas Medicaid would be a huge burden off of her shoulders in more ways than one.

We’ve included a KPRC 2′s “Parent’s Guide To Autism” Resources list below to help. Click here to watch the full video of the parents autism roundtable. Click here to download KPRC 2′s “Parent’s Guide To Autism” Resources. -----KPRC "Parent's Guide to Autism" ResourcesBefore the DiagnosisA Quick 5-Step Checklist1. Texas School Districts Offering Autism ServicesAldine I.S.D (Aldine Independent School District)AdAlief I.S.D (Alief Independent School District)Cy-Fair I.S.D (Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District)F.B.I.S.D (Fort Bend Independent School District): Link 1 | Link 2H.I.S.D (Houston Independent School District)Humble I.S.D (Humble Independent School District)Pasadena I.S.D (Pasadena Independent School District)AdLamar C.I.S.D (Lamar Consolidated Independent School District)Spring I.S.D (Spring Independent School District)Katy I.S.D (Katy Independent School District)Private SchoolsThe Special Schools Coalition -- The Special Schools Coalition is a group of independent schools in the Greater Houston Area who serves children with special needs and their families.

As April draws closer to its close, perhaps it's the right time to stop and reflect on all the autism outreach and autism awareness campaigns that the month has brought. For example, by now, some people are aware that a good handful of iconic buildings "go blue" in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Autism SpeaksAnd check out this international soccer match, held in Mexico on April 7. Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesFinally, did you know people in the baseball community are working toward creating a universally accessible Dodgers Dreamfield at Jack Bulik Park? Photo by Rachel Luna/Getty ImagesDid you catch any local events that took place in your community?

For fans of Julia, the 4-year-old Muppet with autism on “Sesame Street,” you are in luck. Autism Speaks, a national advocacy organization that sponsors research and conducts awareness activities, has launched a new campaign in conjunction with "Sesame Street" that features Julia and aims to promote early autism screening. The campaign consists of digital, print and resources available in English at ScreenForAutism.org and in Spanish at DeteccionDeAutismo.org. The content highlights the importance of early screening. “There is considerable work to be done in overcoming obstacles that may delay a diagnosis -- the first step toward improved future outcomes,” said Angela Geiger, CEO of Autism Speaks.

Parents of children with autism likely have a lot of questions before, during and after a diagnosis. Frazier took time out of his busy travel schedule during Autism Awareness Month to answer some questions on autism and provide tips for parents. Family and caregiver quality of life are key to successful development for all children, but especially children with autism." Frazier: "In general, parents of children with autism know their child and learn what they can and cannot do. Parents of children with autism who understand how to prompt and reinforce appropriate functional behavior are the most effective parents.

“He's doing so many things independently and that's only because I’ve put in the work,” Clouser explained. For families on the spectrum, Clouser said the biggest challenge is by far the cost. Especially if you're giving a child what they really, really need and you're being proactive,” Clouser said. Clouser is using it as a time to call businesses and encourage them to include kids on the spectrum in their services. It will be in the children's shoe department and is free for people on the spectrum.

Whether it’s to provide relaxation or to develop coordination or motor skills, playing music instruments is a great activity for kids who have autism. UkuleleStrumming strings on this instrument helps develop motor control, and it has four strings compared to a full-size guitar with six strings. Xylophone/glockenspielAnother small and inexpensive instrument (ranging from $50 to $100), this helps kids with autism develop impulse control and hand-eye coordination. BongosSimply hitting bongos can be a good way to enjoy sound and work off some energy. But if there's a desire to get more in-depth, learning to play them along to music develops hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

For parents of children with autism, some might be understandably hesitant to put them in sports or other leisure activities. While team sports that rely a lot on communication and cooperation might be tougher for some children with autism, there are sports and activities that are great for universal participation, according to an article on verywellhealth.com. Those activities are better suited for kids with autism. Bowling: This is a sport that doesn’t require much communication with other team members to succeed, because it’s so individualized. Individual sports/activitiesHere are some notable non-team sports and activities that can be good for children with autism or other sensory disorders.

Now, UT Health is doing the first study on kids with autism and how they're affected by probiotics. So, she enrolled Adam in the UT Health study with Dr. Marc Rhoads, pediatric gastroenterologist with UTHealth/UT Physicians. “Our son has suffered from severe constipation and a very narrow, limited diet, he would only eat two or three things,” Galvez said. Rhoads believes prescription probiotics will help him and affect behaviors of a lot of the 4- to 16-year-olds in his study. Some of the participants are getting a placebo pill, but Galvez said since there’s been a dramatic difference in Adam’s behavior, they're convinced they're getting the real thing.

HOUSTON – An autism diagnosis can be overwhelming and change everything in an instant. I just felt like the world just stopped for a minute," said KPRC 2 meteorologist Britta Merwin. An exchange with a KPRC 2 viewer during Autism Awareness Month provided provided Merwin the opportunity to open up about her family's journey. Click here to watch the full video of the parents autism roundtable. An IEP is a document that is developed for each public school child who needs special education.

HOUSTON – In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, Britta Merwin has a heartfelt and personal message to share: You can do it! Monday marks the 11th annual World Autism Awareness Day. People are encouraged to wear blue to recognize those who are on the autism spectrum and the people who love and support them. World Autism Day! A checklist can help parents assess the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children ages 16 to 30 months.

Children with autism who also have ADHD tend to get the autism diagnosis at a much later age. Now, researchers want to know why, and how to provide better treatment for better outcomes.