A 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 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 of the Sun.

A Warm Community Welcome for the North Phoenix Campus

The campus grand opening celebration on September 26, 2025 included a ribbon-cutting and tours for parents, community leaders, and educators. Founder and Director Laura Newcomb thanked community partners and supporters — including Arizona attorney and attorney general candidate Rodney Glassman — while representatives from the Phoenix Mayor’s Office and other local leaders joined the festivities to honor this important new resource.

Designed For Students’ Needs

Every element of the North Phoenix Campus was created with students on the spectrum in mind. Classrooms prioritize multi-sensory learning and small-group instruction, with low student-to-teacher ratios that allow teachers to deliver truly individualized attention. Integrated, in-house therapies — including speech and occupational therapy overseen by Board-Certified Behavior Analysts — are built into each student’s day to support growth across academics, behavior, and social skills.

IEPs That Work for Families

At AAED, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are living documents — not just paperwork. Teachers at the North Phoenix Campus, as well as all six AAED campuses, begin collecting meaningful data from day one, using observations and ongoing assessments to shape classroom groupings, curriculum choices, and daily strategies. Families are partners from the start: communication begins before the formal meeting and continues throughout a student’s time at the campus.

And, IEPs are completed every year for every child and every campus!

While private schools aren’t legally required to provide Individualized Education Plans, AAED goes above and beyond by developing detailed, IEPs for every student annually and with deep care and collaboration with families. This approach can lead to quicker, more meaningful change for students.

A Full Campus of Supports, Life Skills, and Education

Beyond academics, the new North Phoenix Campus offers quiet sensory rooms, outdoor learning spaces, and collaborative areas where students practice communication, decision-making, and daily living skills. The environment is designed to foster independence, build confidence, and create opportunities for social growth. All school beginnings and every AAED campus is created with a careful eye.

Families can expect:

• A comprehensive, therapeutic approach integrated with academics
• Small classes and individualized instruction based on daily data
• Ongoing collaboration between teachers, therapists, and families
• Comfortable, sensory-friendly spaces and hands-on learning areas
• A focus on independence, life skills, and measurable progress

With the North Phoenix Campus opening, AAED now operates six campuses — Gilbert, Tempe, Tucson, Glendale, North Phoenix, and an online Virtual Campus — expanding capacity to serve more students and strengthen local community ties.

“Bringing our proven, individualized approach to autism education to North Phoenix allows us to reach more families who deserve access to specialized services close to home,” said Laura Newcomb. “We designed this campus to foster independence, social growth, and academic achievement in every student.”

Learn more

To schedule a visit, discuss enrollment, or learn about programs, call AAED at (480) 240-9255 or visit the admissions page on the academy’s website. Come see how a school built specifically for learners with autism can make a difference.