On April 12, more than a dozen families attended an Autism Awareness Parent Workshop at Academic and Behavior School (ABS) West. Campus leaders hosted the event during Autism Awareness Month to improve campus relationships, provide resources and inform the community about students on the autism spectrum.  

“We have to work together—parents, guardians, principals, teachers and medical professionals to ensure the success of our students,” said Courtney Atkinson, a campus relief instructor who helped organize the workshop. “We want our students to experience a full life, which means we as educators must also ensure our parents know about the resources available outside of ABS West.”  

Local nonprofit organizations and autism advocacy groups Hope for Three and U’Neek & Gifted served as sponsors for the workshop, providing access to educational resources, community support events and caregiver training sessions. During their keynote presentation, Hope for Three representatives also informed parents of students with autism about various opportunities to receive financial support.  

Afterward, parents and guardians received an opportunity to meet with teachers about their child’s academic and social-emotional progress and take a tour of the campus sensory room designed to help students decompress in a stress-free environment.  

To learn more about HCDE’s Special Schools, visit hcde-texas.org/special-schools.