Meet Liam and Gavin

Liam and Gavin are two happy, smart 15-year-olds who are full of personality.  The twins are students of Academy360 Upper School and have been with Spectrum360 for one and a half (Gavin) and two (Liam) years. Diagnosed with Autism and Global Development Delay at age two, they've faced more than their fair share of challenges... but also achieved incredible victories. Their family's journey has been emotional and extraordinary. 

Before arriving at Spectrum360 and Academy360, Liam and Gavin's mother, Kathleen, spent seven years tirelessly advocating to find the right environment for her sons. "It's a long road, but when we found Spectrum360, we knew we were home". 

A New Chapter of Growth

Before coming to Spectrum360, Liam and Gavin weren't getting the tools and support they needed to thrive.

Liam was non-conversational at first. His communication mainly focused on yes-or-no questions. With support from all Spectrum360 staff, Liam has progressed so much in two years. He now has the confidence to say what he wants and ask for what he needs. 

Gavin has also come so far. Suffering from frustration and not knowing how to express himself, Gavin would have intense emotional and behavioral reactions. After a year and a half at Spectrum360, Gavin has learned new tactics and can now use his words to advocate for himself. He can express when he needs a break or needs to take a walk. Using what he learned has tremendously decreased the intensity of his feelings. 

Both Liam and Gavin are now participating in A360 News! See the news segment featuring them both here.

A Safe Place to Shine

For Kathleen, seeing her boys run to the bus each morning with smiles on their faces says it all. “They come home just as excited as when they left. Every day, I know they are safe, supported, and loved,” she says.

At Spectrum360, it’s not just the programs, it’s the people. From administrators to teachers to support staff, everyone who interacts with Liam and Gavin does so with compassion and purpose. “It’s abundantly clear this isn’t just a job for them, it’s a calling.”

It Takes A Village

"It takes a village to raise children, and myself, Liam, and Gavin have found ours,” Kathleen says. Spectrum360 gives families like Kathleen’s more than education and therapy, it offers hope, community, and a path forward.

But none of this happens without you.

Your support fuels the programs that empower students and adults with autism and related disabilities to discover their strengths, build independence, and live meaningful lives.

Your generosity makes success stories like Liam and Gavin's possible. With your support, Spectrum360 can continue providing life-changing programs for participants and their families. Together, we are building brighter futures, one step at a time.