We are excited to share the latest happenings at The Westview School. From upcoming events to special highlights, there’s always something inspiring to explore and celebrate at Westview.

The Westview School is proud to announce that it has been named a 2024 School of Distinction by Cognia, an international leader in school improvement and accreditation. This prestigious recognition is awarded to only 60 schools out of 1,952 evaluated worldwide last year, placing Westview among an elite group of educational institutions committed to excellence in teaching, leadership, and student success. This distinction highlights The Westview School’s dedication to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where children with autism can thrive both academically and socially.

Children with autism frequently face additional challenges beyond their primary diagnosis. Conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and sensory processing disorder can influence many aspects of their development, including learning, behavior, and social skills.

Join us for Westview EDU: Beyond Autism—Understanding Co-occurring Conditions on Thursday, October 10 at 9:15 AM in Largent Hall. Natalie T. Montfort, PhD, of Montfort Psychology Associates, will delve into these co-occurring conditions, explaining how they affect individuals with autism and offering practical strategies for providing effective support.

This session is designed to equip parents, caregivers, and educators with the knowledge and tools needed to better understand and assist their child or student.

This event will be held in person in Largent Hall on The Westview School campus. Zoom attendance will be available by request. All attendees, both virtual and in-person, should register for the event.

This weekend, Westview hosted the first Music for Autism concert of the school year. We welcomed members of Monarch Chamber Players, pianist Yvonne Chen, oboist Katie Hart, and clarinetist Julian Hernandez. The community turned out in great numbers, and the experience was interactive and engaging for everyone involved. We are so thankful to the talented members of Monarch Chamber Players for teaming up with Music for Autism and sharing their remarkable talent with our autism community and to our volunteers for their enthusiastic support. What a wonderful Saturday it was at Westview!

Music for Autism is a national organization that aims to enhance the quality of life and raise public awareness through autism-friendly, interactive concerts developed specifically for individuals with autism and their families. Westview will host the next concert in January 2025.

The Westview School is a proud supporter of Crime Stoppers’ NEEDS program, which stands for Neurodiversity, Educate, Empower, Deliver, Safety. This initiative is dedicated to promoting the safety, well-being, and empowerment of the special needs community by raising awareness of risks and providing safety solutions for individuals and the people who live and work with them, with the ultimate goal of preventing crimes against this vulnerable population.

Last week, representatives from The Westview School attended a Lunch and Learn event, bringing together law enforcement, educators, medical professionals, and community leaders to enhance safety and understanding for neurodiverse, autistic, and special needs individuals.

Do you know someone who may be interested in learning more about The Westview School? Westview Admissions, Becky Travis and Jolaine Zuccala will be online Tuesday, October 23 at 12:00 PM to connect with prospective families. If you know someone who would like to learn how Westview could be a fit for their child, please share our event with them. Discussions will include the student experience and program deliverables. This informational session is not intended for current families, but for prospective families interested in future enrollment.

Understanding behavior, whether at home or in the community, can feel overwhelming, but it all boils down to one simple fact: behavior is just any measurable action. In this blog post, Sally Schwartzel, Lower School Principal at The Westview School, shares practical strategies for managing behavior by focusing on what we can control—our own actions. From offering choices to teaching replacement behaviors, these insights help parents create more positive interactions with their children. This post was adapted from her presentation for September Westview EDU.

Do you want to run for a cause in support of The Westview School? Join Ms. Jess and Team Westview at this year's Alex's 5K on Saturday, November 2, 2024. This year's race location will be at Avondale House located at 3737 O’Meara Drive, Houston, TX.

Alex's 5K is a fun, family-friendly race event created as a tribute to the life of Alex Jamrich, who passed away suddenly in 2010 at the age of 17. The annual event not only celebrates Alex's life but also promotes autism awareness and raises funds for research and services in the Houston community. The proceeds from Alex's 5K support autism-related charities which includes The Westview School. We are so thankful for their generosity.

For more information and to register for the event, visit the official Alex's 5K website.

Westview has both an official

Facebook and Instagram plus a YouTube channel. You can find us @TheWestviewSchool for each one. Here you can find information about school events, community resources and see us delivering our mission. We are always looking to grow our reach, and any like, positive comment, and share help us do that!

The Westview School believes that when children with autism are educated in a nurturing and supportive environment, they learn, grow, and develop a strong sense of self and an appreciation for others.