School News & Announcements
Campuses Host Meet the Teacher Events to Launch 2026-2027 School Year
Meet the Teacher night is more than just a back-to-school ritual—it’s a powerful opportunity to set the tone for a successful school year. For our school community, where our students navigate the world through an autism spectrum lens, this event holds even deeper significance. Let’s meet some teachers at our North Phoenix Campus! Look at…
Read MoreBack-to-School Tips for Students with Autism: Creating a Smooth and Successful Transition
The start of a new school year brings excitement, opportunities, and new experiences. It can also bring uncertainty and anxiety, especially for students with autism who thrive on routine, predictability, and preparation. At Autism Academy for Education & Development (AAED), we know that a successful transition back to school starts long before the first bell…
Read MoreMoving For a Cause. How Walking to Fundraise Became a Fantastic Tool
Walking to fundraise has emerged as a dynamic and community-centered way to raise funds for various causes, including raising awareness for autism. Encompassing everything from large, organized events to smaller, grassroots gatherings, walks are not only effective in generating donations but also in fostering community spirit and awareness. So, why exactly are walks and walking…
Read MoreA Warm Community Welcome for the North Phoenix Campus
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. This new special education school in Phoenix AZ is designed specifically for students on the autism spectrum, bringing AAED’s fully accredited programs, integrated therapies, and student-first mission closer…
Read MoreAAED: 10 Years Of Putting Kids First In Every Decision
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 MoreAAED Students Shine During Autism Community Science Fair
by Anthony KaDarrell Thigpen E-mail: Athigpen@aaed.org AUTISM EDUCATION – The link between science, technology, engineering and math is identifying problems and creating solutions. That’s what the Autism Academy for Education and Development did in preparation for the 2019 Science Fair STEM Night. Tempe campus teachers Darnell Cherry, Ronald Burd and Elizabeth Ulrich identified the problem. The team of teachers went back to the chalkboard to evaluate…
Read MoreAAED Athletes and The Making of Special Olympic Champions
By Anthony KaDarrell Thigpen E-mail: AnthonyKaDarrellThigpen@gmail.com AUTISM ACADEMY – The 2019 Arizona Special Olympics motivated a host of new participates who brought home gold and bronze medals. Former U.S. Olympic contender, Trevaia Davis is raising the bar for fitness and athletics at the Autism Academy for Education and Development. Davis continues to train professional athletics, while also making it her purpose…
Read MoreBACK TO SCHOOL AT THE AUTISM ACADEMY: Helping Parents with the Annual Transition
By Anthony KaDarrell Thigpen Email: Anthony_Thigpen@aol.com AUTISM ACADEMY – Summer vacation is spiraling to an end. Administrators and teachers at the Autism Academy, a school for children with autism, are making the final plans for an exceptional school year. Parents everywhere, especially moms, are scrambling to prepare themselves and their children to head back to…
Read MoreThe Autism Academy Principal: A Perfect Piece to the Puzzle
By Anthony KaDarrell Thigpen E-mail: Anthony_Thigpen@aol.com AUTISM ACADEMY – Four-years-ago, Laura Newcomb, and Shannon Mitchell worked side-by-side opening the Autism Academy, an autism school in Gilbert, AZ, with only about 20 students. Now, the specialty autism school enrolls nearly 300 students between three campuses located in Gilbert, Tempe, and Peoria. The school’s leadership team is…
Read MoreGilbert School Helps Inspire Nonverbal Kids with Autism
By Anthony KaDarrell Thigpen E-mail: Anthony_Thigpen@aol.com AUTISM ACADEMY – Autism Academy, a school for children with autism, would like to emphasize the importance of how the nonverbal experience enhances challenges and adds frustration to many children with autism. Nonverbal children are rare. Unfortunately, because communication is the ability to exchange information, nonverbal behavior may be…
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