Offering Individualized

Educational Programs For K-12 Students

Blog

PECS booklet

Learning about PECS and How it Helps with Communication

October 22, 2025
Posted in ,

Learning about PECS and How it Helps with Communication PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is a simple, step-by-step way to teach someone to communicate using pictures, photos, or symbols. It’s made for people who have little or no speech, and it starts with a really basic idea: if you want something, hand someone a picture…

Read More
Children collaborating on a drawing activity that builds social emotional learning skills

Empowering Students Through Social Emotional Learning

October 10, 2025
Posted in

Across Arizona, more schools are realizing that growth is about more than test scores. Academics matter, but research and experience show that students thrive when their emotional well-being is nurtured alongside reading, writing, and math. When children feel safe, understood, and supported, they approach school with greater confidence, curiosity, and resilience. That’s why at AAED,…

Read More
The Autism Academy for Education and Development Opens New North Phoenix Campus to Serve More Families

The Autism Academy for Education and Development Opens New North Phoenix Campus to Serve More Families

September 30, 2025
Posted in , , ,

Great news for families in North Phoenix! The Autism Academy for Education and Development (AAED), Arizona’s autism-only K–12+ academy, recently opened their brand new North Phoenix Campus designed specifically for students on the autism spectrum. This purpose-built location brings AAED’s fully accredited programs, integrated therapies, and student-first mission closer to more families across the Valley…

Read More
Bar graphs plastic building blocks toy bricks on yellow background.

Choosing the Best Education After an Autism Diagnosis

September 26, 2023
Posted in

  Meeting the Growing Demand for Autism-Specific Education and Services with the Autism Academy for Education and Development (AAED) By Anthony KaDarrell Thigpen Over the past decade, the world has witnessed a significant surge in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This spike in diagnoses has highlighted the pressing need for specialized education and…

Read More
IDEA, FAPE, MET, IEP - Special Education

Special Education Terminology and What it Means For You

December 1, 2022
Posted in

The Alphabet Soup of Special Education IDEA, FAPE, MET, IEP… What? Like many specialized areas, special education comes with its own language. For those who are just starting out on their educational journey, it can look a bit like alphabet soup. So what does it all mean?  IDEA stands for the Individuals with Disabilities Education…

Read More
Sensory Processing Awareness Month

Sensory Processing Awareness Month

October 13, 2022
Posted in

October marks Sensory Processing Awareness Month! This month is all about recognizing and supporting the 1 out of every 20 people with unique sensory needs around the world. Here at Autism Academy we know that all of our students need some kind of sensory support throughout the day. And, we meet those sensory needs always.…

Read More
10 year anniversary

AAED: 10 Years Of Putting Kids First In Every Decision

September 8, 2022
Posted in

This school year kicks off our 10th academic year! Opened in 2013, we welcomed just 24 students and 4 teachers. Since then, we’ve grown to over 640 students and 56 autism teachers. Our campuses offer a wide variety of classroom programs for students in Kindergarten – 12th grade and beyond. Our specialized supports are able…

Read More
Voices Of Autism

AAED Student – Voices Of Autism, Serafinao

April 8, 2022
Posted in

Today is Autism Awareness Day. As many of you know, I have autism myself, as I am on the spectrum with high-functioning Asperger’s Syndrome. I’d like to talk about autism, how it’s changed my life, and what I’ve learned about it. Being autistic has largely made me not normal in life although I seem normal…

Read More
Choose a School for Children With Autism

How to Pick The Right Autism School for Your Child

November 29, 2021
Posted in

Finding the right school for any child can be a daunting task, especially if that child is on the spectrum. If you’ve made the decision to go with an adapted school as opposed to a mainstream school, you may be wondering where to start your search. Autism Academy has a list of three things you…

Read More

All You Need To Know About Therapy For Autism

November 29, 2021
Posted in

If your child has autism, therapy can help them learn how to thrive and improve certain behaviors. Therapy for autism is a great way to help you and your child learn more about them and continue to develop their skills. Autism Academy, with the help of trained professionals, specializes in providing reliable therapy for autism,…

Read More