There’s a new school started by parents in Aurora, who felt their kids needed it – focusing on the special needs of those students.

Daniel Thompson is homeschooled, the 8-year-old has autism, and finding the right learning environment hasn't been easy.

“Families should feel welcome in the school where their children go, especially children with autism, who have communication difficulties,” says Serena Thompson, co-founder of Lighthouse Learning and Development  Centre. “As a mom, if I can't go into a school where my son is, and he can come home and tell me what happened through the day, then I don't know and that's a problem.”

Thompson tried three different schools, but she felt her son's needs weren't being met. The solution? A new approach to educating kids with autism.

“There's lots of therapy centres, and lots of community classrooms but there's nothing to service these kids that can really be successful,” says Thompson.

Thus, the Lighthouse Learning and Development Centre was created. It's a private school for students with autism, the first of its kind in York Region.

“The smaller classroom settings, less pressure, more support. It's a no brainer,” says school co-founder Laurie McRae.

The classrooms are big, and bright with colourful posters everywhere. Tables are rounded, so students can socialize and there are charts to “check-in" on how kids are feeling.

“A lot of people are visual learners, I'm a visual learner too myself, so having visuals around the school are important because if there's confusion with language or communication, things that are out on the wall, it's very clear, to know that these are things we can go to for references when walking around the classroom,” says Ashley Goldsmith, an autism instructor therapist.

Kids with autism often learn differently, that's something these two moms want to work with.

“When you learn how they learn, and how different it is, it's reassuring to know that they're going to come here, and we're going to teach them the way they learn and that will help them succeed,” says McRae.

The first opportunity parents and students will have to take a look at the new facility will be on Saturday during an open house. The first day of the new school year is Sept. 8.