Every child deserves a place where they feel seen, supported, and inspired. For families of children with autism, finding programs that nurture growth through meaningful experiences can be both challenging and essential. While formal education lays important academic groundwork, learning does not pause when school is out. Instead, weekends, holidays, and long summer stretches provide…
When we picture a pyramid, we visualize a wide, stable base that supports everything built above it. If the foundation falters or remains incomplete, nothing built higher will stay steady for long. This concept of the pyramid is a powerful metaphor for how children learn and develop academic abilities. At It’s a Sensory World!, our…
Summer is often seen as a well-earned pause from academics, but for families and children with autism, this “break” can bring both opportunity and risk. After months of steady progress within autism-focused schools, summer’s looser routines and sudden changes sometimes cause social and academic skills to regress. However, with thoughtful planning and collaborative support, summer…
Summer in autism-focused schools is not just about taking a break from academics—it’s a prime opportunity to build essential life skills in joyful, meaningful contexts. While language arts and mathematics form a core part of every student’s year, it’s equally important to teach practical skills that lay the groundwork for long-term independence and confidence. For…
Transitions can bring both excitement and uncertainty, especially for children with autism who rely on routine and structure for comfort. As summer break approaches, the risk of losing essential skills gained during the school year increases if the transition is abrupt or if summer lacks intentional planning. That’s why partnership between educators and families is…
As summer approaches, many students buzz with excitement at the thought of sunny days, time with family, and a break from classroom routines. However, for students with special needs, particularly those with autism, the transition to summer break can also be a source of deep anxiety and uncertainty. Anticipating these changes, autism-focused schools play a…
Inclusion is more than a buzzword in autism-focused schools—it’s a deeply rooted philosophy that shapes how students learn, connect, and thrive together. While academic achievement is certainly important, creating a space where children feel understood, welcomed, and capable goes far beyond textbooks. With the right tools and strategies, schools can support both autistic and neurotypical…
Sensory experiences are at the heart of how children understand, explore, and interact with the world. For neurodivergent students, especially those with autism, sensory activities are more than enjoyable—they are fundamental tools to regulate emotions, spark engagement, build communication skills, and foster peer bonding. This blog explores how schools can harness simple yet powerful sensory…
Social skills are crucial for every child, but for children with autism, developing those connections often takes a different approach—one that requires intention, patience, and structure. In schools dedicated to children on the autism spectrum, social development is not treated as a bonus; it’s embedded in the very foundation of learning. Building connections, understanding emotions,…
Every April, communities around the world come together to observe Autism Acceptance Month—a period dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and advancing the inclusion of individuals with autism. For schools, this is more than a symbolic opportunity—it’s a meaningful call to action. Educational environments play a profound role in shaping how children understand neurodiversity, interact compassionately with…
Scott is a certified public accountant and partner at Weaver, a Texas-based national accounting firm, where he specializes in audits of alternative investment funds. Scott began his career as an intern with Weaver and worked his way to partner for over 11+ years. He graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s in accounting and a master’s in finance.
Scott’s eldest son Wyatt is a student at ISW, and his wife, Lauren, is a regular volunteer at ISW. Together, Lauren and Scott have seen Wyatt benefit from ISW’s tailored “bottom-up” approach to development and learning and remain passionate about the vision and mission.
Rekha Suryanarayana has a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas and worked in the Semiconductor industry for 6 years. When her son was diagnosed with Autism in 2001 at the age of three, she left her job to devote herself full-time to his rehabilitation.
The experience of working with various therapists to rehabilitate her son led her to start ISW, a place where the entire family could participate in a child’s rehabilitation.
She founded It’s a Sensory World! with Angela Stephens in 2007 to fill a void in services for children with special needs including those with autism.
None of this would have been possible without the financial support and encouragement of her husband, P.V. “Suri” Suryanarayana and ISW would never have been conceived but for their son Siddhartha!
Louis N. Lee, III (“Buddy”) has been on the Board of ISW since July of 2015; and served as its’ Chairperson from August 2015 to September 2018. Buddy also served as counsel to It’s a Sensory World!’s for-profit company since its inception in October of 2007.
Buddy is an attorney with the law firm Weaver Johnston & Nelson, PLLC spending a considerable amount of his time advising and providing legal services to a variety of closely-held businesses in a number of different industries.
During his career, Buddy has served on several Boards of Directors- including three that he presently sits on. Buddy has been on the Board of Directors of the Dallas All Sports Association (“DASA”) since 2005 and was its’ President from May of 2009 until May of 2011. Buddy earned his Undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder, his Law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, and his Master’s in law (emphasizing taxation) from Southern Methodist University School of Law.
Buddy has two sons and is married to Becky McGee Lee, also an attorney.
John Foley and his wife Jennifer have a 16-year-old son on the autism spectrum. They have been very involved in the autism community in Dallas. Originally from upstate New York, John escaped the “Great White North” and relocated to Dallas in 1989.
John is a global human resources executive with more than 30 years of experience in the high-tech, manufacturing and distribution industries. He is currently the Vice President of Human Resources for Builders FirstSource (BFS) in Dallas Texas. BFS is the largest supplier of lumber and building materials to the residential housing market in the US. John has held previous human resources leadership roles with Austin Industries, Maxim Integrated Products and Dallas Semiconductor Corporation.
John received his undergraduate degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University in 1985 and an Executive M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University in 2003.
Sharilyn has been on the Board of ISW since January of 2018. She has a BA in Speech Communications from Texas A&M University and a Master’s in Liberal Arts from SMU.
Having grown up with a sister who had special needs, Sharilyn has personal experience with the struggles families face in getting adequate and quality services for their children.
Sharilyn has been an active Junior League volunteer since 1998 and has had significant role in volunteer engagement at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
She also volunteers with several special needs’ programs at Highland Park United Methodist Church: Night OWLS, a respite program for special needs children and their siblings; The Walk, a special needs Sunday School program; and SibShop, a sibling support for siblings of special needs children.
Vipin is the managing partner of HN Capital Partners, an opportunistic investment manager based in Dallas, TX. He was formerly a Managing Director in the investment group at the Hunt organization in Texas. He has over 13 years of experience in public and private real estate having invested in and managed over $2 billion of assets. He was previously a Vice President at Hunt Realty Investments Inc., and served as the portfolio manager for Presidio Investments, a leading CMBS and CRE structured product investor.
Vipin is passionate about ISW and joined its board in 2015. He has been its Chairperson since September 2018 and finance chair since 2015. He helps develop the school’s budget, fund raising targets, tax forms, and assists in all aspects of governance through his role on the board. He was previously a member of the Urban Land Institute and has served on the diversity council for the Texas Real Estate Council. Vipin has an MBA, with a focus on finance and economics, from the University of Chicago. He was trained as an urban economist and an architect prior to that.
Brady has served on the Board of ISW since the summer of 2020. Brady received his bachelor’s in economics from the University of Texas at Austin. Shortly after graduating, he moved into working in education and educational
technology where he has spent the bulk of his career. Brady now is the founder and CEO of Thirty Two Edu as well as an Expert in Residence for HolonIQ.
Brady’s wife, Presley has taught at ISW for more than five years, and in that time Brady
has consistently volunteered to help the students and staff at ISW. They now live with their new daughter, Hollis, in Plano.
Janet G. Keckeisen has been on the Board of ISW since April of 2020.
Janet is Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations for Valhi, Inc., a diversified holding company. Prior to her joining Valhi in 2007, Janet was Corporate Controller for Software Spectrum, Inc. Janet is a certified public accountant, and she has held various financial leadership roles during her career. Janet holds a B.B.A. in accounting from the University of North Texas.
Janet serves on the Board of the Junior Charity League of Dallas and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League. She is married and has two daughters.
