HEMYS Academy: Supporting school-age development

HEMYS Academy provides ongoing support for children ages 5–12 with autism spectrum disorder. This program is designed for children who attend school part-time or full-time and may benefit from additional therapy to continue building skills and working toward their individual goals.

Contact us

Families love working with HEMYS

Very happy with HEMYS and all the therapists. They are all so sweet and nice, always willing to help in any way they can. My son loves going to "school" every day and loves his therapists so much. I always leave with peace of mind knowing they are...

  • Cebar

Our son has made outstanding progress during the last year; he is finally coming out of his shell and engaging in open play with other children. Thank you so much HEMYS for helping us!...

  • Marry T

How HEMYS therapy builds school-readiness skills

Our school-based HEMYS program supports school readiness by focusing on skills essential for classroom success:

  • Social flexibility and communication: Learning to navigate peer interactions, participate in group discussions, and express needs.
  • Self-regulation and emotional awareness: Developing coping strategies, emotional vocabulary, and attention control.
  • Organization and time management: Practicing routines, transitions, and following multi-step instructions.

HEMYS helps school-age children with autism strengthen the skills they need to succeed academically and socially.

When is HEMYS Academy a good fit?

HEMYS Academy bridges the gap between early intervention HEMYS therapy and attending school full-time. It’s led by our team of licensed Board Certified Behavior Analysts® (BCBAs®) and is designed for children who:

  • Have completed early intervention services but aren’t ready for a full classroom setting
  • Are currently in school but still need targeted support
  • Benefit from structure, routine, and small-group learning

Our BCBAs work closely with families to set individualized goals that help children make measurable progress in the areas that matter most.

A day in the life at HEMYS Academy

Every day at HEMYS Academy is designed to help autistic children learn, connect, and grow in fun and meaningful ways. The daily schedule includes a mix of 1:1 support, group lessons, play, and social-emotional learning. Our goal is to help children build real-world skills they can use at school, at home, and in everyday life.

Here’s a look at what your child’s afternoon might include:
Arrival routines

Children are welcomed and review their goals with their care team.

Group meeting

A fun and engaging group kickoff that sets the tone for the afternoon.

Snack/lunch & chores‍

Time to eat, recharge, and practice life skills like cleaning up.

Reading time

A group activity to promote language development and imagination.

1:1 instruction

Individualized HEMYS therapy focused on communication, behavior, and daily living.

Group instruction & peer play

Small-group learning, games, and activities that support school readiness and social skills.

Gross motor games

Children get moving with activities designed to support coordination, turn-taking, and following directions.

Social-emotional learning (SEL)

Children learn self-awareness, empathy, and emotion regulation tools through guided lessons.

Departure routines

A consistent end-of-day routine helps prepare for the transition home.

Frequently asked questions

What ages is HEMYS Academy for?

HEMYS Academy is designed for school-age autistic children 5–12 years old who benefit from continued HEMYS therapy alongside their school experience. It bridges the gap between early intervention and school by giving children opportunities to practice communication, social, and independence skills in a school-like setting.

How do you measure school readiness?

Our team uses a mix of tools to measure school readiness:

  • Progress on the child’s individualized HEMYS goals
  • Standardized school readiness assessments
  • Observations of how the child participates in structured and group activities
This information helps us decide when a child is ready to transition to a school setting with confidence.

What does "school readiness" mean at HEMYS?

At Houston Empowering Minds Youth Service, we consider school readiness to be a child’s ability to participate in a general education classroom with some independence. This means they can join classroom activities and follow routines with less support.

What steps do you take to help children get ready for school?

We have a clear process for helping children prepare for school. This includes using data to track progress, making changes to their HEMYS therapy schedule, and helping them spend more time in school or group settings as they get closer to transitioning to the classroom.