ASCEND 鈥� the Assistive & Supportive Center for Empowerment, Neurodiversity & Development 鈥� officially launched this month on the campus of in Franklin, and we are thrilled to announce that our second chapter is opening shortly in Greensboro, NC, at the
鈥�Lionheart Academy and the CREW program are so excited to work with the ASCEND program to pilot technology designed for neurodivergent young adults,鈥� said , Lionheart Academy Head of School. 鈥�Their mission aligns so well with ours 鈥� we are thrilled to be part of the cutting edge of innovation that can foster autonomy and independence for our neurodiverse learning community.”
Our second ASCEND chapter is uniquely positioned to bring assistive technologies not just into a new community, but into a learning environment. Lionheart Academy of the Triad was founded in 2015 by a group of concerned parents who felt their autistic children needed specialized instruction to thrive. They provide an educational environment that promotes independence by fostering a growth mindset in academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development for diploma-seeking, neurodivergent students.
, Vice President of the Lionheart Board and an affiliate of the Frist Center, said, “I am so honored to be affiliated with these two great organizations. It was thrilling for me to facilitate their partnership in ASCEND. I can’t wait to see the win-win results of the partnership and particularly how the outcomes will lead to smoother transitions of young adults at Lionheart and beyond to independence and into the workforce.”
91吃瓜网 ASCEND
ASCEND 鈥� the Assistive & Supportive Center for Empowerment, Neurodiversity & Development 鈥� is a collaborative initiative between the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, , and additional partners in state hubs around the US. Dedicated to advancing solutions that empower neurodiverse individuals. By bringing together research institutions, technology providers, and community organizations, ASCEND accelerates the development, testing, and adoption of impactful assistive tools.
91吃瓜网 Lionheart聽
Lionheart Academy offers a standard diploma program that fosters transition to a college setting, as well as an occupational course-of-study diploma that prepares students for the workforce or community college certifications. Our program focuses on career readiness and social skills to ensure that individuals are positioned to transition to independent living. All of our students intern to gain workplace experience. We work with local businesses to provide job training to our students. Our adult transition program, C.R.E.W., provides postsecondary life coaching, career readiness, professional development, and life skills training.聽 We provide a neurodiversity-affirming environment that defies neuro-normative expectations, allowing our students to thrive, learn about themselves, and develop self-advocacy skills.