Latest local news, weather, high school sports in the Rio Grande Valley

Friday, April 26, 2013  April is National Autism Awareness month and statistics show one in 88 births will result in a child with Autism.

Thursday, April 25, 2013  It's a family's worst nightmare to lose their child, but the problem grows when that child has Autism.

Tuesday, April 02, 2013  One Valley woman says she's been working for autistic children more than 40 years and has a plan to bring a one of a kind facility to the Valley for them.

Tuesday, April 02, 2013  April 2nd is Autism Awareness Day across the U.S. and it's estimated that as many as 1 in 88 school aged children will be diagnosed with the disorder.

Friday, March 29, 2013  The Harlingen Police Department recognizes the growing number of people with autism and is putting together a new database that will pinpoint the homes throughout the area, where a child or adult with autism resides.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012  As the nation grieves, many questions remain about the Newtown massacre.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012  It was exactly a year ago that Action 4 News had the privilege of meeting Sammy Martinez. A middle schooler back then, Sammy reluctantly went on camera to talk about his life as an autistic student and opened our eyes to his gift of composing music.

Monday, April 02, 2012  April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. Those who work with autistic children believe more awareness is needed to help recognize the signs of this disorder.

Friday, January 20, 2012  Manny Vela has served on the state's Autism Council and on the Task Force for Children with Special Needs.  He has personal experience to qualify him for this type of work - his own 18-year-old son Manny Mac, was diagnosed at the age of 3 with a form of autism commonly known as Asberger's.

Saturday, August 20, 2011  Researchers have found that one in every 110 children are Autistic. The number is growing fast, but Rio Grande Valley researchers at the Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen are hoping to help find the cause of the disorder.

Saturday, August 20, 2011  Researchers at the Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen are conducting a study to help determine if the Rio Grande Valley's environment has a link to Autism in Mexican American children.

Friday, April 29, 2011  Through the eyes of a child like Martin Chapa, the world is a very scary place.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011  A Rio Grande City mother turned to Action 4 News in an effort to get more parks to include safety features for children diagnosed with autism.

Friday, April 01, 2011  April 1st is Autism Awareness Day and to kick it off Action 4 News would like to introduce a teenager in Sharyland who has the world at his fingertips and is taking every opportunity to make his dream come true, even if there are major obstacles in his way.

Monday, February 28, 2011  It's a popular sport all over the world, and now a soccer association in McAllen will be bringing the sport to children with special needs in the Rio Grande Valley.