Abby's Learning Center promotes individualized learning approach for neurodiverse children

Located in downtown Austin, Abby’s Learning Center promotes an open-minded learning environment specifically welcoming children with neurodiversity.

Founder Tehila Spigel ran into difficulties searching for a productive learning center that embraced her daughter’s differences as a result of her neurodiversity. She took matters into her own hands and crafted a space for her daughter and like-minded children.

What to expect

The inclusive therapy center launched its space in downtown Austin in January 2025. Inside the center, families can find an art room, a music therapy room, a library with a fish tank, a calming room, a lunch room and a gym with two of every activity.

“You'll see everything here is just utilizing friendship,” Spigel said. “I really want a community where we could just feel together and loved and families are always welcome to stop in to talk, to contact any one of us. We're always available.”

The atmosphere

Academic director Wendy Cody is the teacher at Abby’s Schoolhouse—the latest addition to the learning center. The school program features a Montessori-inspired approach where each student receives an individualized learning experience.

The schoolhouse is set up with rooms varying by subject matter including science and social studies, math and language arts.

Cody said the individualized curriculum and multi-age learning model are the main differences between Abby’s Schoolhouse and traditional public school. Another standout difference is the location offering both therapy services and a school program on the same site.

“It's like a one-stop shop,” Cody said. “It’s very unique in the country as far as I can tell for neurodivergent children to have both an academic setting along with all of the therapies, like ABA [or] occupational speech therapy, and it's all in one place for parents.”

Looking forward

While the center currently offers its services to children up to the fifth grade, Spigel said the team hosts frequent events where older children and adults with neurodiversity can find community in the space.

Spigel hopes to expand the business’s services to offer resources to individuals up to the age of 18 years old.

“I really want to give that support and to be able to neutralize our differences and not to be different, but to really support our kids to be even more,” Spigel said. “I came up with this quote and it says, ‘Autism is not a disability, but the ability to change the minds of the ordinary.’ If we could change the general public and how they perceive us, it would become a lot more supportive.”