Celebrating Differences as Gifts, Not Obstacles
It’s a time to celebrate the uniqueness of individuals on the autism spectrum, raise understanding, and offer support to families navigating the journey … and to acknowledge that the number of children who are diagnosed with autism today has risen significantly. Autism Speaks LINK
“The world needs all kinds of minds.”
– Temple Grandin, Prominent Autism Advocate and Professor
At Cherokee Creek Boys School, our students are boys ages 10 – 15 and most of them are navigating a variety of emotional, social and behavioral challenges. Among them are boys diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1, as defined by the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. While autism is not the primary reason students enroll at CCBS, we are proud to support boys with this diagnosis, especially when it impacts areas like social connection, emotional regulation and communication.
What Is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person experiences the world, including how they communicate, interact and process information. It is called a “spectrum” because symptoms and their severity vary widely from person to person.
According to the CDC, about 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is now diagnosed with ASD … up from 1 in 150 in 2000 … highlighting not only increased awareness but also improved diagnostic practices. Boys are diagnosed four times more often than girls, though this gap may be narrowing as we better understand how autism presents differently across genders. Source: CDC Autism Data & Statistics
What Does Autism Look Like?
Understanding Level 1 Autism
Under the DSM-5, ASD is divided into three levels, with Level 1 considered the “mildest” or most independent. Boys with ASD Level 1 may:
- Struggle with social cues, friendships or small talk
- Have intense interests or preferences for routines
- Be intelligent and verbal, but find certain situations overwhelming or confusing
- Need support with flexibility, perspective-taking or group interactions
They may not need one-on-one aides or full-time therapy, but they do need a supportive, structured environment that helps them build confidence, social skills and life tools.
How a Therapeutic Boarding School Can Help
At Cherokee Creek, we believe in seeing the whole boy … his strengths, his challenges, his potential. For students with ASD Level 1, we offer a unique environment that balances therapeutic support, structured routines and social learning opportunities.
- Small class sizes and personalized learning reduce the sense of being overwhelmed and promote success
- Outdoor adventures and group activities build real friendships, often for the first time
- Daily social-emotional learning helps boys develop empathy, resilience and communication skills
- Mentorship and community values teach boys how to connect, relate and belong
Boys who once felt left out or misunderstood often thrive here … learning that they are not alone, and that their differences can be gifts, not obstacles.
Celebrating Uniqueness
At CCBS, we believe every student deserves to be accepted, challenged and celebrated for who they are.
In fact, “we challenge boys and their families to discover what is real and true about themselves and the world around them.”
This Autism Awareness Month, we honor the courage and creativity of everyone in the world navigating this challenge in their life, especially our students who are autistic … and the families who love them.