At Franklin Academy, we often talk about preparing students not just for graduation, but for life. That commitment has always required us to look beyond the boundaries of a traditional school model, and ask what more our students, their families, and the broader neurodivergent community truly need.
It is in that spirit that I am excited to share an update on one of our most important and ambitious initiatives: the development of the Center for Neurodiversity.
For those who may be encountering this work for the first time, the Center represents a natural and necessary evolution of Franklin Academy’s mission. While our school has long provided a transformative educational experience for neurodivergent students, we recognize that the need for thoughtful, affirming, and high-quality support does not begin or end within our campus. The Center for Neurodiversity is designed to extend that impact—building a community of expert providers who can serve individuals across the lifespan, including those who may not attend Franklin Academy.
At its core, the Center is about access, continuity, and community.
We are assembling a deeply experienced and mission-aligned team of professionals who bring both clinical expertise and a shared belief in the potential of neurodivergent individuals. The Center will offer a comprehensive range of evaluations, including psychological, academic, and diagnostic assessments; Occupational Therapy evaluations and services; college counseling and executive functioning coaching (two areas that are critical to long-term success and independence); and professional development and consultation. The Center will also continue to expand social programming and foster meaningful opportunities for connection through community Gatherings, formerly provided by A Little Kindness, and eventually offer individual counseling services, both in person and via telehealth, further expanding access to care.
While we are currently focused on renovating our on-campus space and building the infrastructure necessary to launch these services, our vision extends well beyond this initial phase. We see the Center evolving into a broader hub of support, potentially including additional locations, social coaching, vocational and life skills programming, and dedicated spaces for parent and professional communities to learn, connect, and collaborate.
But more than a collection of services, the Center is intended to be a community where neurodivergent individuals and their families feel understood, not just accommodated. A place where they feel safe, supported, and valued. A place where differences are not simply accepted, but recognized as essential, meaningful, and worthy of celebration.
This is not a small undertaking. It is a long-term investment in people, in systems, and in a belief that better outcomes are possible when we build environments designed with intention and care.
As part of this next phase, we are also excited to share an opportunity to engage more directly with this work. On May 8, there will be a reception in New York City that will offer a chance to learn more about the Center, hear about our progress and future plans, and explore ways to be part of its continued development and impact.
If you are interested in attending or learning more, please reach out to Kinsley Rausch-Dudzic at krausch@fa-ct.org.
We look forward to sharing more in the months ahead and to bringing additional resources to our students, to their families, and a much broader community that deserves thoughtful, affirming support.
And we are just getting started.
