Autism Awareness Month

As we step into Autism Awareness Month, we’re excited to highlight two community partners who show a strong commitment to celebrating neurodiversity. Many CLE students identify as autistic, and we believe this month offers a perfect opportunity to celebrate the value of truly inclusive spaces.

In Rockville, the Metro/WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) went one step further than standard signs or visuals to highlight inclusion. WMATA selected our student, Zach, for a special announcement that will play throughout April, recognizing the importance of neurodiverse representation. Zach is a regular advocate in his community, and now he’s raising awareness across it. We’re proud of Zach for always being a champion for others, and appreciative of the team at WMATA for bringing inclusion to everyday spaces.

One of our community partners, Karlia Nabors, notes this action is “a powerful reminder that inclusion must be intentional and visible. Seeing Zach lend his voice to this effort not only celebrates his talents but also reinforces that every individual deserves to be seen, heard, and valued in our community.”

Across the country, Monterey is visited by tourists from around the world for its stunning setting and the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium.

CLE Monterey students recently had a chance to support the aquarium but working alongside their team to help shape a more sensory-friendly experience. Through thoughtful feedback and firsthand insight, our students contributed to how visitors navigate and experience the aquarium environment.

This work is especially meaningful in a setting like Monterey—an area that draws visitors from around the world. It’s also a place of great interest for many of our students, particularly those drawn to marine life, who get to head over to the aquarium in their own community and enjoy exploring. We often have students come to CLE Monterey because they are eager to have this available to them.

We’re grateful to see the aquarium’s genuine commitment to inclusion. By inviting self-advocates into the process, they’re not only enhancing accessibility but also modeling how to create environments where more people can fully participate and feel welcome.

Amy Radochonski is President of CLE. Previously, she helped lead CLE for 15 years as its VP of Programming. Amy has 22 years of experience in special education and as a behavioral consultant. She is also actively engaged in communities seeking to elevate experiences for neurodiverse students in higher education and the workplace. Radochonski is an alumna of the University of Oregon, holding a B.A. in Educational Studies, endorsed in Special Education, and a master’s in Educational Leadership.