School Happenings
NEWS & INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS: Autism Empowerment Prioritizes Connection & Community, Not Controversy
NEWS: League School for Autism Celebrates 60 Years of Empowering Neurodivergent Students
INSIGHTS: Rethinking Inclusion – Why Access Isn’t Enough
League School for Autism
Founded in 1966, the League School for Autism has been empowering children and young adults with Autism for more than 50 years.
NEURODIVERGENT TEACHERS IN EDUCATION
This Psychology Today article from last year provides an interesting take on systemic school neuroinclusion to support neurodivergent educators. Read the full article to learn how it hopes to build a culture of inclusion in education.
The Key to Neuroinclusive Education: Neurodivergent Teachers
www.psychologytoday.com
Neurodiversity inclusion at schools is a must. But if neurodivergent teachers aren’t included and heard, how can they create supportive systems for neurodivergent students?
INSIGHTS: AUTISM EMPOWERMENT PRIORITIZES CONNECTION & COMMUNITY, NOT CONTROVERSY
A recent blog article by Lindsay Wagner, Director of Neurodiversity & Community Inclusion and Michael John Carley, self-advocate and Neurodiversity & Leadership Advisor has been posted on our League School for Autism website. View the full article HERE: leagueschool.org/insights-autism-empowerment-prioritizes-connection-community-not-controversy/
The news has been riddled with misinformation about autism in recent months, prompting League School for Autism to carryover Autism Empowerment Month as an opportunity to support our community to “unlearn the nonsense”, as self-advocate and League Neurodiversity and Leadership Advisor, Michael John Carley, describes it.
Prominent messaging from federal organizations has consistently misrepresented the prevalence of Autism, has spread disinformation about its causes, has proposed harmful policies, and has used dehumanizing language that continues to do damage to individuals with Autism and their families. This negative rhetoric takes a toll on the mental health of these individuals and their allies, who have worked tirelessly to gain equitable access to public spaces, education, healthcare, and services over the past 60 years. At the heart of League School’s mission is the fact that two families with Autistic children knew, even in 1966, that their children meant something in this world and deserved to learn.
RODMAN RIDE FOR KIDS
League School for Autism had a great time at Saturday's Rodman Ride for Kids hosted by Rodman for Kids. #TeamLeague included Head Teacher, Kyle DeMunda. and her husband, John; Director of Development, Tim McCabe, along with Chris and William McCabe; League School Ambassadors, Ron Goodman, Kate O'Halloran, and Sandra Casey; and Andy and Christine David of A. David Lawn Care. Water Station volunteers included League School staff, Nicole Depina, Maria Laham, McKenzie Daley, Trevor Harker, Sabrina Manno, Kaleigh Goulart, Jenna Federer, and Cheryl White.
May thanks to our Rodman Ride for Kids Sponsors, O'LYN Roofing, Direct Federal Credit Union, and Middlesex Savings Bank, for their generosity and support! All funds raised through the Rodman Ride for Kids go directly to League School's Autism Empowerment Fund to empower students with autism to become the best version of themselves.
GEOGRAPHY MAPPING
Sometimes vocational work really makes you use your geography! League School student, Carmen, worked on a project to find all of the cities and towns in Massachusetts where League School students come from. There were over four dozen and still counting! Carmen learned a lot about local Massachusetts geography in the process. Great job, Carmen!
LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST
On Monday, League School for Autism hosted a Legislative Breakfast with our largest gathering yet. This annual event offers state and local legislators the opportunity to meet and hear from League School students, families, and supporters about critical issues impacting the autism community.
Special thanks to State Senator Bill Driscoll Jr., Senator Paul Feeney, State Representative Ted Philips, Representative Paul McMurtry, and Senator Mike Rush for their support. Also, a HUGE thanks to the remarkable Elizabeth Dello Russo Becker of the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS) for an informative update on the special education legislative landscape.
The program also included presentations by League School students, Dylan and Chadi, and alumni parent, Clare Folan. The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism Spectrum of Sound Choir, led by Kelsey, concluded the event with a special performance of Shipping Up to Boston, Dirty Water, and Sweet Caroline. Thank you ALL for sharing your talents!
Extra thanks to League School students and team members whose contributions made the event a success, including Gabe, Heidi, Lissy, Molly, Anna, Amy, Maureen, Kaleigh, Larry, Cheryl, Tim, Lindsay, Chrissy, Jack, Sean, Erin, Matt, and the Facilities Team.