Topeka, KS: Spectrum and Friends high school club for "neurodivergent students"
- The end of childhood
- May 3
- 2 min read
May 1, 2025, WIBW, Topeka, KS: Spectrum and Friends club offers friendship and support for neurodivergent students
Spectrum and Friends is a club that connects neurodivergent and neurotypical students at Topeka High School.
National Autism Awareness month has wrapped up, but one group at Topeka High School continues to promote acceptance.
Spectrum and Friends was created two years ago by Topeka High senior Isabella Culbertson.
“It’s important to learn new things, especially about the neurodivergent community,” Culbertson said. “There are so many things that people misunderstand or just don’t understand.”
Culbertson was diagnosed with autism in middle school. When she came to Topeka High School four years ago, she realized there wasn’t a space for students on the autism spectrum to connect.
Two years later, Spectrum and Friends was born.
“Being autistic, I kind of felt like I needed a space to create a support group for people who are like me, and also people who aren’t, that just want to be allies and want to help understand what it is,” Culbertson said.
She said making connections is tough for everyone, but especially challenging for students with autism.
This club offers them an opportunity to connect with others and practice social skills. . . .
Members say it’s a space where they can be themselves.
“People talk to me and it calms me down a little bit,” said Breckin Williamson, freshman at Topeka High School. “I just like it, and it’s fun talking to people in this club.” . . .
“This club is just focused on accepting people and helping people around,” Rew said. “I can just say, from being a member, it’s just amazing being in here.”
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