Student creates autism-friendly courtyard

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — For some high school students, lunchtime is the most social part of the day — for students with autism, it’s the most chaotic.

Liam Bronson is a senior at Laney High School and he has autism. For students like Liam, the school cafeteria can be one of the most stressful places in the building.

“Lunchtime being particularly difficult because the smells, they’re overwhelmed, you’re put in this huge crowd — all things that they don’t like to be around,” said Brian Brosnan, Liam’s dad.

Instead, Liam decided to take matters into his own hands and find a quieter place for he and his classmates to have lunch. He found an unused courtyard and set up a GoFundMe account and raised money to buy furniture for the courtyard.

“He thought it up, he drew it up, he managed it, and friends and family came with all their love and money and made it happen,” said Brian Brosnan.

The page raised nearly $2,000.

Now, instead of eating at their desks, Liam and his classmates have a quiet and furnished courtyard to use during lunch.