At Anniston Academy, we understand that access to safe, supportive, and reliable child care is essential for families. We are proud to accept Tennessee’s Child Care Certificate Program to help qualifying families access educational and childcare support services for their children. The Child Care Certificate Program, administered through the Tennessee Department of Human Services, helps eligible families offset the cost of childcare services while parents work, attend school,

At Anniston Academy, we understand that every child learns differently and that some students benefit from educational environments specifically designed around their unique strengths, challenges, communication styles, and support needs. We are proud to accept Tennessee’s Individualized Education Account (IEA) Program to help families access more individualized educational opportunities for their children. The Individualized Education Account, commonly referred to as the IEA

At Anniston Academy, we believe families should have access to educational options that truly meet the unique needs of their children. We are excited to announce that beginning next school year, Anniston Academy will officially accept the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship. The Education Freedom Scholarship is a Tennessee school choice program designed to provide eligible families with state-funded scholarships that can be used toward tuition and approved educational exp

At Anniston Academy, we believe that representation isn’t just important, it’s transformational. That’s why we are so excited to welcome children’s author Sabrina Fillers-Hurd to read her book, The Wild Monkey Brothers: Milo and Jax’s Every Day Adventure, to our students. A Story That Reflects Our Students The Wild Monkey Brothers: Milo and Jax’s Every Day Adventure introduces readers to two energetic, curious monkeys whose personalities are inspired by children with autism a

Today is the very first Behavior Technician Appreciation Day, and it just feels important to say this out loud. Our Behavior Technicians are the ones on the floor during the hard moments. Not figuratively, actually sitting there beside a child who is overwhelmed. Staying close when things escalate. Being the calm when everything else feels anything but calm. They’re the ones who notice the little things. The glance. The attempt. The almost word. The moment a child chooses con

1943-at first glance, it looks like just a number. But in the context of autism, it holds historical weight. In 1943, autism was first formally described in clinical literature by Dr. Leo Kanner. This moment is often referenced as the beginning of autism as a recognized diagnosis. But it is important to be clear about what that actually means. It was not the beginning of autism. It was the beginning of documentation. Autism Did Not Start in 1943 Autistic individuals have

At Anniston Academy, we do not start with compliance. We start with regulation. Because a child who is overwhelmed, dysregulated, or shut down is not refusing to learn.They are unable to access learning . What Does Regulation Actually Mean? Regulation is the ability to feel safe enough in your body to engage with the world. It is not about being quiet. It is not about sitting still. It is not about looking like you are paying attention. It is about feeling grounded, feeli

At Anniston Academy, we don’t see “special interests” as something to redirect or limit. We see them for what they are: powerful, meaningful, and deeply human ways of engaging with the world. For many neurodivergent individuals—especially autistic individuals—special interests are not just hobbies. They are sources of regulation, connection, identity, and learning. And when we honor them, everything changes. What Are “Special Interests,” Really? Special interests are often de

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most widely used approaches in supporting autistic individuals. It is also one of the most debated. The conversation around ABA is often polarized—viewed as either entirely beneficial or inherently harmful. In reality, the effectiveness and ethical application of ABA depend on how it is implemented. A neuroaffirming approach to ABA begins with a fundamental shift in perspective. Autistic traits are not deficits to eliminate. They

One of the most persistent misunderstandings about autism centers around behavior. Behaviors are frequently interpreted as defiance, noncompliance, or intentional disruption. This interpretation often leads to responses that focus on control, correction, or consequence. However, in many cases, behavior is not the problem—it is the signal. For autistic individuals, behavior often reflects underlying differences in: Communication Sensory processing Emotional regulation Environm

April 2nd is Autism Acceptance Day , and the language we use matters. For many years, the focus has been on awareness. While awareness is a necessary starting point, it does not, by itself, improve outcomes. It is entirely possible to be aware of autism and still misunderstand autistic individuals, misinterpret behavior, or expect children to adapt to environments that do not meet their needs. Acceptance requires more. Acceptance means understanding autism—not trying to fix i

Autism is often discussed in terms of behavior, communication challenges, or diagnostic criteria. But to truly understand autism—and to effectively support autistic individuals—we have to start at a more foundational level. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition . This means that differences in behavior, communication, sensory experiences, and regulation are not random or willful. They are rooted in how the brain develops and processes information. As a parent, an autistic

At Anniston Academy, we believe learning should be hands-on, meaningful, and connected to the real world. This month, our students had the incredible opportunity to learn from a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) during our Community Helper Day — and it was an experience they won’t soon forget. Meet Our Community Helpers: Mr. Jacob & Mrs. Sarah Mr. Jacob, a CRNA, visited our school to teach students about anesthesia, airway safety, and the important role anesthesia

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, affecting approximately 15–20% of students nationwide. Families searching for dyslexia support in Tennessee often discover that not all reading instruction is designed for how dyslexic brains process language. At Anniston Academy , we provide structured, research-informed reading intervention using Orton-Gillingham principles and targeted daily instruction within our therapeutic microschool model. Dyslexia is not a ref

The Meaning of Hyperlexia Hyperlexia (pronounced hy-per-LEK-see-uh ) is a developmental profile characterized by an intense fascination with letters and numbers and an early ability to read — often far beyond age expectations . The word comes from: hyper = above or beyond lexia = language or reading Children with hyperlexia may: Teach themselves to read at 2, 3, or 4 years old Decode words far above grade level Memorize entire books Recognize logos instantly Be deeply draw

Understanding the Word “Neurodivergent” The term neurodivergent describes people whose brains develop, process, or experience the world differently from what is considered “neurotypical.” Neurodivergence is not a deficit. It is a difference in brain wiring. A neurodivergent individual may have a diagnosis such as: Autism ADHD Dyslexia Dysgraphia Dyscalculia Tourette’s Sensory Processing Differences Giftedness Some individuals have formal diagnoses. Others simply experience t

At first glance, a classroom may look like a classroom—tables, materials, students, teachers. But what happens inside that space, and how it is designed to support learners, makes all the difference. At Anniston Academy, our classrooms are intentionally built to support the whole child. They are structured, supportive, and responsive—designed not just for academic instruction, but for regulation, growth, and long-term success. Led by Licensed Educators Our classrooms are led

In many schools, learning has become synonymous with testing. Benchmarks, scores, percentiles, and grades often take center stage—sometimes at the expense of actual teaching. While assessment has a place in education, an over reliance on testing can distort what learning is meant to be, especially for neurodivergent students. At Anniston Academy, we intentionally prioritize growth over grades . That doesn’t mean we ignore progress or data. It means we focus on meaningful lear

Outdoor learning is often misunderstood as a break from “real” education. In reality, it is one of the most powerful environments for brain development—especially for young children and neurodivergent learners. The brain does not develop in isolation. It develops through movement, sensory input, emotional regulation, and meaningful interaction with the environment. Outdoor learning supports all of these systems simultaneously in ways that indoor-only instruction cannot. The B

When families think about school, academics are often the first focus—reading, writing, math, test scores. These skills matter. But for many children, especially neurodivergent learners, academic instruction alone is not enough. True education addresses the whole child : how they learn, how they regulate, how they communicate, how they interact with others, and how they grow into independent, confident individuals. This is where Anniston Academy is fundamentally different. Ed