Chicago college graduate is a role model for students with autism

College graduates.
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They were setbacks that could have easily sent him spiraling, but Paris King pushed through and is now officially a graduate of Roosevelt University.

The 23-year-old is on the autism spectrum, and after graduating from high school with honors, the history lover was encouraged by his family to go to college. Over the last four years, he faced immense challenges: His father died his freshman year, and just eight weeks later he himself was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As a sophomore, he was mugged and during his junior year, doctors discovered that his mother had stage 3 breast cancer. Through it all, King never skipped class, always turned in his assignments, and even made new friends through a club for students who enjoy playing video games. "I came to college so I can learn more about the world we live in," he told the Chicago Tribune. "It has been a fun experience, but it has been hard."

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.