Regional Interests

Chemawa Investigative Series | Living With Autism

Oregon Public Broadcasting | By Sage Van Wing, Allison Frost

Published November 27, 2017 at 9:12 AM PST

Chemawa Indian School is supposed to offer an academic home preparing students for college or careers in a safe and stable place. But an OPB investigation found the school is not always living up to that promise. Reporters Rob Manning and Tony Schick join us to sum up what they learned.

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurological condition which affects approximately 1 in 68 children. We find out what life is like in one family where two of the four children fall on the autism spectrum. Angie Chapin’s two daughters, 16-year-old Imani and 10-year-old Asjia, are neurotypical. Their 12-year-old brother Kaliq is on the spectrum, while 14-year old Mekhi has severe autism and is mostly non-verbal. The Chapins live in Camas, Washington, and spoke to us in their home last month.

<p>Mekhi Chapin (age 14) with his mom in the living room of their home. Mekhi has severe autism and is mostly non-verbal.</p> — Mekhi Chapin (age 14) with his mom in the living room of their home. Mekhi has severe autism and is mostly non-verbal.

<p>Angie Chapin and her 12-year-old son, Kaliq, who is on the autism spectrum.</p> — Angie Chapin and her 12-year-old son, Kaliq, who is on the autism spectrum.

<p>Angie Chapin with her children, Asjia, Imani and Kaliq (left to right) in front of their Camas, Washington home. Mekhi is not pictured here.</p> — Angie Chapin with her children, Asjia, Imani and Kaliq (left to right) in front of their Camas, Washington home. Mekhi is not pictured here.

<p>Asjia Chapin, age 10, in her room, displaying one of her latest collages. She also writes poetry and does other art work.</p> — Asjia Chapin, age 10, in her room, displaying one of her latest collages. She also writes poetry and does other art work.

<p>Kaliq Chapin, age 12, in his room in front of Disney posters. "Monsters, Inc." is one of his favorites movies.</p> — Kaliq Chapin, age 12, in his room in front of Disney posters. "Monsters, Inc." is one of his favorites movies.

Allison Frost

16-year-old Imani Chapin is in AP classes at her high school, and expects to go to college on the east coast. She created the Facebook project, "Autism Rocks" to help educate people about autism. She also makes short videos.