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Look inside Al Roker’s Autistic Son's Birthday Celebration Including Rare Throwback Snaps & Themed Cake

Gaone Pule
Jul 19, 2021
01:25 P.M.

AI Roker went down memory lane by sharing images of his son on his 19th birthday and included throwback photos from throughout the years to celebrate him.

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A look inside AI Roker’s autistic son Nick’s birthday celebration, including rare throwback snaps and themed cake. Nick has had a rough upbringing as an autistic child, and his father took to Instagram writing:

“One of the best days in our lives is July 18th. That’s when @nick.roker155 came into our world. Here are just a few of those days."

A screengrab of "Today" show star AI Roker and his son Nick | Source: Instagram/@alroker

A screengrab of "Today" show star AI Roker and his son Nick | Source: Instagram/@alroker

The 66-year-old posted a gallery of photos of his youngest child Nicholas with one shot showing his adorable self in the playroom wearing brown pants with a white tee.

Another picture shows young Nick with a friend, with one displaying him with both his parents on his 6th birthday as they posed for a family portrait.

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One image shows Nick all grown up with him being taller than all family members, his mom, dad, and sister Courtney with him and his father dressed up in matching T-shirts.

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Fellow stars, including Nick's mom Deborah Roberts, took to the comments section to wish the weather forecaster’s son a happy birthday, with co-worker Katie Couric writing, “Happy birthday Nick Roker!!!”

Actress Molly Hager commented, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK!!!” with one follower adding, “The world is better with him in it!!!”

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Roker also took to the platform and shared throwback pictures of Nick and his sisters Leila, 22, and Courtney, 34, throughout the years together.

"They're not always together, but @ouichefroker @cleipatra and @nick.roker155 are the gifts that keep giving no matter whose birthday it is. But #happybirthday Nick,” he captioned his post.

From the post, the first few snaps show Nick and Leila posing alongside each other while they were teenagers, with their mom featuring in one photo and Courtney in the rest.

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Fans flooded the comments section to wish Nick well, with one person noting, "Happy Birthday Nick! God Bless You! Enjoy!!” while another said, “Precious family.”

A third individual complimented Roker's family and him in the process by sharing, "Gorgeous family to be very proud! Great Father!"

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A fourth commented on the photos and said, “Great pictures! Happy birthday!” A fifth echoed the same sentiments with one saying, “Such a handsome charmer.

Roker also posted Nick’s birthday cake, which is one tier colored in white, blue, and black with the words, "Happy Birthday Nick!" written. He also shared Carrie Sunnycrest Farms made it.

Followers commented on the photo, and one user said, "Beautiful Cake. Looks Delicious. Happy Birthday to Nick." Another user noted, "Happy birthday to a fellow Yankee fan, Nick!" One person thanked Nick "for sharing your cooking expertise with us."

Celebrities wish AI Roker's son Nick a happy birthday | Source: Instagram/@alroker

Celebrities wish AI Roker's son Nick a happy birthday | Source: Instagram/@alroker

Roker shared a picture of the father and son duo beaming in matching blue framed glasses with Nick dressed up in a Yankee jersey with his dad in a floral blue and white shirt.

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“Getting ready to celebrate @nick.roker155 #19thbirthday ritual of going to a @yankees game for Nick’s birthday. Thanks, @brian_mcguire_cashman," he wrote.

AI Roker's followers send their birthday wishes to his son Nick | Source: Instagram/@alroker

AI Roker's followers send their birthday wishes to his son Nick | Source: Instagram/@alroker

“Nick seems like such an amazing young man! He’s towering over you!!, one follower commented on the post. Another wished him a happy birthday and added, “We love watching you grow.”

One person noted, "Well, that sounds like about the best way to celebrate!" while referencing the game the pair would be going to watch.

Another cheered, "Go Yankees! Enjoy the game and bring good luck to the Yankees!" As Nick and his dad offered broad smiles for the photo, one user said, "Happy Birthday Nick, love your smile. Keep on smiling." Whereas another told Roker that he and his family are lucky to have Nick.

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Fans wish Nick Roker a happy 19th birthday | Source: Instagram/@alroker

Fans wish Nick Roker a happy 19th birthday | Source: Instagram/@alroker

Bringing up an autistic child, the “Today” show star shared on his Guidepost that, “Focus and conversation can be a problem for my son, more so than most kids, as he is a kid with special needs.”

The journalist said his only son is a “crucial part” of the worship team in church and takes his responsibilities very seriously. When speaking about how it's like being raising Nick, Roker said:

“We knew right from the beginning that he would be up against a whole different set of challenges.”

Fans react on AI Roker's cake post | Source: Instagram/@alroker

Fans react on AI Roker's cake post | Source: Instagram/@alroker

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The author shared Nick was not developing as fast as he should have, and when he was three years old, “he hardly talked and could barely walk.”

He then started working with speech, behavioral and occupational therapists, developing his strength and conversational skills and mobility.

Nick's parents enrolled him in a program at school to suit his needs, where he started making friends and even signed him up for tae kwon do – and took him to Sunday school.

Fans compliment AI Roker's son Nick on his birthday | Source: Instagram/@alroker

Fans compliment AI Roker's son Nick on his birthday | Source: Instagram/@alroker

From there on, he blossomed beyond his capabilities and has since participated in swimming lessons and playing chess and basketball.

In April, Roker paid tribute to his son after revealing how proud he was watching Nick at church. He posted a clip of Nick on Instagram lighting candles on the altar at St. James Episcopal Church in Manhattan.

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The teenager is the principal cross-bearer as part of the worship team in church. His dad shared another photo of him performing his acolyte duties.

A fan comments on the father and son photo | Source: Instagram/@alroker

A fan comments on the father and son photo | Source: Instagram/@alroker

Apart from Nick, back in 2015, the weatherman anchor also paid homage to an extraordinary woman in his life. In a segment on the "Today" show called Pay It Forward, Roker shared a story about Lori Rothman.

Rothman is an occupational therapist who started her career working with kids who have autism and also assisted Nick when he was still a toddler. He shared that people were not optimistic about Nick's outlook except for Rothman and called her "godsend."

A fan cheering for the Yankees on AI Roker's post | Source: Instagram/@alroker

A fan cheering for the Yankees on AI Roker's post | Source: Instagram/@alroker

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The actor is a doting father of three kids and shares his eldest child Courtney with his first wife, Alice Bell. Courtney was born in 1987, and she now lives her life privately.

However, she made headlines when her dad announced that she was engaged to Wesley Richard in April 2020. More than a year later, her father again revealed that she married Wesley in a romantic wedding ceremony in June 2021.

Fans praise Nick and his father AI Roker at the same time | Source: Instagram/@alroker

Fans praise Nick and his father AI Roker at the same time | Source: Instagram/@alroker

Roker's second child is Leila, whom he welcomed with second wife Roberts in November 1998. The youngster is studying at The American University in Paris of France towards a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

She is currently a contributor for “Today” and has previously worked as a freelance writer for Footwear News and Forbes and was an intern for ABC's coverage of the Sussexes' royal wedding in May 2018.

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