School Happenings
NEWS & INSIGHTS
Sixty Years, One Big Day: Temple Grandin at League School
Making the Most of Summer: Outdoor Activities + Water Safety for Autistic Individuals
INSIGHTS: Autism Empowerment Prioritizes Connection & Community, Not Controversy
League School for Autism
(opens in a new tab)Founded in 1966, the League School for Autism has been empowering children and young adults with Autism for 60 years.
Sixty Years, One Big Day: Temple Grandin at League School
Friday, October 16 was a full day at League School for Autism. It started with a visit from Dr. Temple Grandin. Dr. Grandin started her day with a tour of the League School. She met our senior leadership team and our staff, and she spent time with our students. They were excited to see her, and made a custom piece of artwork to say thank you for spending the morning with them.
More than 175 people filled the Four Points by Sheraton in Norwood that afternoon to hear her speak. Her message was practical. Autistic people often have strong skills in specific areas, and employers should hire them. Picture thinkers can do well in design and the skilled trades. Pattern thinkers can do well in math, engineering, and programming.
That evening, we celebrated our 60th anniversary at the Autism Empowerment Gala, where we honored Dr. Grandin with the Vetstein Impact Award. Nancy Vetstein Hershfield, daughter of our founders, received the Lockwood Directors Award. The Christopher Catanese Children's Foundation received the Community Leadership Award for its support, including our Music and Art rooms. Bob Murphy received the Dr. Frank Gagliardi Employee Award after 35 years of steady, calming support for students and staff.
The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism Spectrum of Sound joined the League School Choir for a mashup of: “Stand by Me,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “We Are Young,” and ” O-o-h Child.” Harrison Stebbins kept the room moving as emcee and auctioneer, and we raised more than $250,000 for the Autism Empowerment Fund.
We also shared plans for the Career Learning Center, which will help every student prepare to enter the community with a vocational skill. It was a night to celebrate 60 years of impact on autistic lives and to help families see a better future.
Read the full article here: leagueschool.org/sixty-years-one-big-day-temple-grandin-at-league-school/
@fourpointsnorwood @flutiefdn @temple_grandin Christopher Catanese Children's Foundation Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism #thinkinginpictures #leagueschoolforautism
We're so excited to kick off our 60th Anniversary Celebration with Dr. Temple Grandin. This morning, she toured our school and met with students and staff. #TempleGrandin #AutismEmpowerment
Two days until League School's Autism Empowerment Gala, celebrating our 60th anniversary, and the silent auction is open!
Bid on a Newport getaway, a signed Trevor Story baseball, a piece of art made by a League School student, plus plenty more.
bit.ly/4hWta1r
Don't miss this talk by Temple Grandin on Friday, October 16th. Order your tickets today! #templegrandin
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and at the League School for Autism, it's a chance to celebrate work that happens every day.
Our vocational and career services team plays a key role in preparing students for the workplace. But building job skills isn't limited to one department. It happens across our whole school, all day long.
It happens when a student practices asking for help. When they follow a routine, work through a problem, or finish a task on their own. When they learn to work with a classmate, manage frustration, or advocate for themselves. Each of those moments builds skills that carry over into the working world.
Employment readiness doesn't begin with a first job. It begins with what we teach and reinforce every day.
To our teachers and staff: thank you. Our students' progress reflects your commitment to helping them discover their strengths, develop their potential, and see themselves as valued members of the workforce and their communities.
We're proud of what our students are working toward, and we'll keep believing in what they can accomplish.
#NDEAM #DisabilityEmployment #Autism #LeagueSchoolForAutism #Inclusion