60th Anniversary: Two Events
Bundle and save $20 at either link when purchased together.
Listen to Dr. Temple Grandin at the Speaker Spotlight.
Join us for our Autism Empowerment Gala honoring Dr. Temple Grandin.
60 Years. Countless Lives Changed.
In 1966, a group of parents and educators created a classroom in a Newton school basement. They wanted to give their autistic children and other families with autistic children a space designed just for them. This was the beginning of one of the first schools in Massachusetts for students with autism, and it evolved into the League School of Boston.
Sixty years on, the League School for Autism serves 110 pupils, aged between 3 and 22, from over 60 communities in Massachusetts. The school is still the only one in the state offering the SCERTS Model, a relationship-based developmental framework grounded in each student's strengths backed by a complete team of educators, clinicians, and therapists.
"The 60 years that League School for Autism have spent empowering students with autism are built upon the foundations laid by the school's founders, its leaders, staff, and supporters," said Larry Sauer, CEO of League School for Autism. "We expect that this substantial record of impact and excellence will act as a source of support for our vision, aiding in the transition of students with autism into meaningful work, careers, and future opportunities."
From Humble Beginnings to a Campus
League School has been located in five different places throughout its history: it started in a school basement in Newton, then moved to a house higher up the hill, afterward to the Lindemann Mental Health Center in Boston, before returning to Newton and finally settling at its 12-acre campus in Walpole in 2000. As it has expanded from a single classroom to a complete campus, it has developed vocational training and residential programs, and has a plan for the future that includes the construction of a state-of-the-art Career Learning Center to help students secure meaningful work.
Join the Celebration
Sixty years of milestones deserve a real celebration, and this fall, we're throwing two. Come hear from Dr. Temple Grandin, one of the most remarkable minds in the autistic community, then join us that evening as we honor the people who've shaped what League School has become. Whether you've stood beside us for decades or you're just now learning our story, there's a seat for you at both and there's no better time to help build what comes next for our students!
Two Events. One Milestone Year.
2026 Speaker Spotlight
Dr. Temple Grandin
Autism: The Way I See It
Friday, October 16 | 12-3 PM
Four Points Sheraton | Norwood, MA
$60 per ticket includes: book signing, light refreshments, speaking presentation.
Bundle and save $20 when purchased with a Gala ticket.
Dr. Temple Grandin thinks entirely in pictures. It's a way of seeing that let her become one of the first people to give a firsthand account of what autism actually feels like from inside the mind experiencing it.
Born and raised in Boston. Dr. Grandin is a professor at Colorado State University, an author of eight books, a consultant to the livestock industry, and holds a PhD in animal science.
Bundle and save $20 when purchased with a Gala ticket.
60th Anniversary Autism Empowerment Gala
October 16, 2026 | 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Four Points Sheraton | Norwood, MA
Get ready! Our 60th anniversary Gala is going to be one for the books! This year, we're honoring Dr. Temple Grandin for a lifetime of advocacy and insight as one of the most influential voices in autism awareness and animal welfare. We're also honoring founding family member and past Board Member Nancy Vetstein Hershfield, whose roots run deep in League School's story, along with the Christopher Catanese Children's Foundation, whose generosity has helped shape our campus and our students' experience for over a decade.
Our incredible emcee and auctioneer Harrison Stebbins will keep the night moving, and back by popular demand, the Flutie Foundation's Spectrum of Sound joined by the League School Choir will bring the house down with a mashup of Boston favorites.
The Autism Empowerment Gala is our biggest night of the year, a celebration built to raise critical funds and honor the people and organizations who've championed our students. Expect a cocktail hour and silent auction, a dinner program with live auction and Fund-A-Need, an awards presentation, and parent and alumni speakers who'll remind everyone why we're all in the room. Every dollar raised goes straight to the Autism Empowerment Fund, building an individualized curriculum for every student and preparing them for a full, meaningful life in a neurodiverse world.
Bundle and save $20 when purchased with the Speaker Spotlight.
This Year's Honorees
Vetstein Impact Award – Dr. Temple Grandin
Initially diagnosed with brain damage at age 2, Temple had no speech until she was 3 ½. Her parents were told that she would never be a productive member of society, the medical outlook was an ominous one – one that her mom would not and did not accept. So, with the guidance of her mom, her aunt, teachers, colleagues and other mentors, her interests were not only realized, but they were encouraged. Her abilities eventually led to a successful career in livestock handling equipment design that has revolutionized the industry. She has designed facilities where cattle worldwide are handled and also consults with industry giants such as Cargill, JPS, and Tyson as well as end user giants such as McDonald's, Wendy's, and Costco.
Temple is widely celebrated as one of the first individuals on the autism spectrum to publicly share insights from her personal experience with autism. In 2010, Temple's life-story was the feature of a multiple Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning HBO film, aptly named Temple Grandin, where she was played by Emmy award-winning actress Claire Danes. Also in 2010, she was recognized in the Heroes Category as one of Time Magazine's Most Influential People in the World for her groundbreaking work in livestock handling systems and advocacy for autism.
Temple has been a professor of animal science at Colorado State University for 35 years, and to this day is still teaching a graduate course, conducting research, and is a prolific writer of her work. More Recent Accolades: In October 2025, a portrait of Temple was inducted into the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. She was named a 2025 USA Today Woman of the Year In February 2026, she was ranked #105 on Forbes Magazine's List of America's Top 250 Innovators. In short, she has become the most well-known and well accomplished adult with autism in the world.
Lockwood Directors Award – Nancy Vetstein Hershfield
Nancy Vetstein Hershfield is the daughter of League School co-founders Leona and Arnold Vetstein, and her brother's story was the inspiration behind the school's founding. In the past, she served many years on the Board of Directors, bringing a deep connection to the school's history. Nancy is the founder of The Outbox, Inc., a brand strategy and copywriting company, and previously worked in marketing communications at Fidelity Investments and in public relations at Mullen Advertising. She was instrumental in the recent rebranding of the school including the name change from League School of Greater Boston to League School for Autism, the logo, and website. She holds an AB in English and American Literature from Harvard College.
Community Leadership Award – The Christopher Catanese Children's Foundation
The Christopher Catanese Children's Foundation was established in 2005 in memory of Christopher Catanese, a college senior whose life was cut short by a car accident. The Foundation's mission is to support 501(c)(3) organizations through educational, medical, and recreational programs, enriching the lives of children and young adults. Christopher lived a life full of love and laughter, surrounded by a strong family, and the Foundation carries his spirit forward by reaching out to children and young adults in his honor. For over a decade, the Foundation has supported League School for Autism. Its generosity made it possible to build the Music and Art rooms as a part of a larger expansion of the school building.
Dr. Frank Gagliardi Employee Award
Bob Murphy's impact on League students and staff has spanned 35 years. From the moment students enter the building, he offers a calm, steady presence that builds the trust and sense of safety children need to thrive, and his exceptional ability to co-regulate means students experiencing dysregulation often find calm simply through his presence. He is a steadfast advocate who challenges teams to see through students' perspectives and align practices with their individual needs, always keeping their voices and strengths at the center.
Beyond his direct work with students, Bob has mentored generations of staff, guiding colleagues toward humanistic, relationship-based practices and modeling how to navigate complex situations with compassion. He has been an anchor for the League community, a trusted advocate, mentor, and source of stability whose commitment to students, staff, and the organization embodies the very best of our mission and values.
Thank You Sponsors!
Platinum Sponsors
Ralph and Valerie Miller Fine
Leadership Sponsors
Patron Sponsors
And:
The Ellis Family
Sauer/Cochran Family
The Howden Group
Bowdoin Construction
Friend Sponsors
And:
Cleanco Corporation
Advocate Sponsors
Join Us!
Bundle and save $20 at either link when purchased together.
Join us for the Speaker Spotlight.
Join us for our Autism Empowerment Gala.