History

In the early 1990s it became clear to Orion founder Dr. Kathryn Stewart that adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and executive functioning deficits were in need of a more comprehensive program than the weekly outpatient treatment she was providing. In education meetings, in family sessions, in consultations with parents and school staff, the needs of these bright, but socially limited kids were discussed and interventions suggested, but these interventions often felt inadequate. The need for an educational program for academically gifted kids with neurocognitive disorders became imperative.

After hearing Dr. Stewart speak about the type of program needed for these students, Sue Thompson, well-known educator/speaker on the topic of non-verbal learning disorder (NLD), Judy Lewis, webmistress of the NLD-line and later president of NLDAA, and Kathy Allen, author of the book Star Shaped Pegs, approached Dr. Stewart with a challenge: Would she be willing to take the action she herself had been suggesting for years and start a school for ASD and NLD kids?

The three put Dr. Stewart in touch with Aaron and Val Simon, parents of a child with ASD who were willing to support this dream. With hard work and the overwhelming financial generosity of the Simons, the first Orion Academy board was formed and the work began. It took two full years of meetings and outreach to get the funding and details of our comprehensive high school off the ground.

Orion Academy opened its doors in September of 2000 with eight students and five teachers. By June of 2001 there were 12 students. The Orion families who started with us were truly visionaries. They believed in the mission and vision of Orion, and took a chance on a new and untried program.

Today, Orion is about to celebrate 25 years of providing a community for ASD students and their families. Over the last 25 years, Orion has seen many changes. The world of services for ASD students has grown and improved and we see our students flourishing in many arenas. It has not been easy and has taken the dedication of the families, the students and the faculty, staff and Board of Trustees of Orion Academy to make this happen.

During this time, Orion has been on the forefront of these successes and key to the development of innovative and effective programing to meet this goal. We are looking to our future and the next steps for students and families of neurodivergent teens. We have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to be proud of. We are grateful for all the support we’ve received and look forward to continuing success for the next 25 years!