When Lily Kahrl arrived at Regis College in September as part of Wellesley Public Schools’ LAUNCH program, she became part of a campus community committed to supporting neurodiverse learners. By the end of the fall semester, she had found a place practicing with – and competing on – the university’s Swim and Dive team.
“Lily is a kid with a rare disease, STX BP1, that leaves her with a lot of delays,” explained her father, Ben Kahrl, in a blog post he shared about Lily’s experience during a recent swim meet. “Her educational arc is different than neurotypical kids. And here we were, a kid who still struggles with getting dressed, who has a lot of emotional flooding, somehow being part of a college sports team.”
Ahead of the team’s meet at Albertus Magnus on Jan. 17, Regis Swim and Dive Head Coach Diana Matthews pitched the idea to opposing coaches about having Lily swim in an unofficial race. With their support, and the help of her coaches and teammates, Lily swam a 50-yard freestyle in her first-ever collegiate competition.
Everyone on the pool deck, team members, coaches, and fans from every competing school cheered her on.
When asked about her experience competing with Regis Swim and Dive, Lily’s answer was simple: “I love swimming. I have fun with my teammates.” To view a video of Lily swimming during a home meet on Jan. 23, click here.
“People might say this was a great experience for Lily, and it absolutely is, but I believe it was an even greater experience for everyone involved. Our swimmers and divers learned something far more important than anything that shows up in a results sheet,” said Coach Matthews. “I often remind our athletes that 30 years from now, they may not remember the wins and losses, but they will remember the moments and the people they shared them with. Today is one of those days that I truly believe they will still be talking about years from now. It was also a beautiful example of Regis living out the mission and values of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.”
What made Lily’s moment possible is a campus culture rooted in understanding, support, and belonging. That culture extends well beyond athletics at Regis, where a comprehensive network of neurodiversity programming meets the needs of children and adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
The LAUNCH program, of which Lily is a participant, provides students aged 18 to 22 with complex language, learning and cognitive disabilities the opportunity to learn through real-world experience at a college campus, and develop confidence and appropriate social habits and behaviors that will allow for personal and workplace success.
The Regis College Autism Center and ANNA Autism Care Center provide high-quality services designed to support children and their families through excellence in clinical training and individualized, evidence-based care.
That commitment to neurodiversity is embedded in the university’s academic programs, where students translate Regis’ mission and values into hands-on practice. Students in the Dental Hygiene program receive specialized training to support individuals with autism and to build an environment of trust, so patients feel comfortable in the dental setting.
The Regis community’s dedication goes further than the student-body; it is reflected in faculty-led professional development initiatives. In collaboration with the Center for Instructional Innovation, Regis faculty Diana Parry-Cruwys, PhD, BCBA-D®, LABA and Jason Clemence, PhD presented a four-part Lunch and Learn series for faculty and staff focused on neurodiversity in higher education to help the faculty better understand – and educate – neurodiverse students.
This emphasis on applied learning also extends beyond campus. One example is Madeline Conover ’24, a Regis Occupational Therapy alumna, who established an Employability Program in her hometown to help prepare neurodiverse students for co-op experiences during and after high school.
The university’s support for neurodiverse individuals extends across academics, athletics, and clinical practice, both on and off campus, reflecting Regis’ core value of Serving the Dear Neighbor without distinction.
“Lily’s story is a powerful reminder that inclusion is not a concept, it is a lived experience created by people who choose to open doors and stand alongside one another,” said Regis College President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN. “Her participation with our Swim and Dive team reflects what it means to serve the Dear Neighbor without distinction and is part of a broader commitment at Regis to supporting neurodiverse individuals through innovative academic, clinical, and community-based programs. Together, these efforts capture the heart of Regis: a community grounded in the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, where dignity, belonging, and opportunity are extended to all.”