Children listen even when adults believe they are not listening. They notice changes in tone, overhear conversations, see messages on phones, and recognize when the adults they depend on no longer speak respectfully about one another. Negative talk about a parent, family member, teacher, therapist, or other trusted caregiver can place a child in an emotional position they were never meant to occupy. Instead of being free to maintain their own relationships and form their own

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and there is one part of this conversation that does not get nearly enough attention: autistic people are at a significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population and it isn't a small difference. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis combined studies involving 10.4 million people and found that autistic people had 2.85 times the risk of dying by suicide compared with the broader population. In other words, the best avai

Inclusion is often discussed as though it has one appearance: a neurodivergent child sitting in a general education classroom beside neurotypical peers for the entire school day. For many children, that setting—when paired with meaningful support—is exactly where they learn, build relationships, and thrive. For others, the same classroom may be so loud, socially demanding, fast-paced, or poorly supported that most of their energy is spent trying to remain regulated rather tha

A messy room might look like a minor inconvenience to an adult. Toys on the floor, papers covering a table, backpacks by the door, laundry waiting to be folded, and yesterday's art project still sitting on the counter are normal parts of living with children. But for some neurodivergent children, a visually busy environment can be more than just "messy." It can be another source of sensory and cognitive information their brain has to process. Research on autism, ADHD, attenti

Most people can think of a place they never want to return to. Maybe it's the hospital where they lost a loved one. A workplace where they experienced harassment. The home where an abusive relationship occurred. Even years later, simply driving past that location can make their heart race. This isn't a sign of weakness. It's how our brains are designed to learn from experience. The Brain Remembers More Than Events Traumatic experiences are not stored only as memories. They be

When people hear the term therapeutic education, they often assume it means therapies provided in schools or classrooms designed only for children with significant behavioral challenges, but that couldn't be further from the truth. At its core, therapeutic education is an approach to learning that recognizes one simple truth: Children learn best when they feel safe, understood, and supported. Therapeutic education is not about lowering expectations or trying to "fix" childr

Autistic individuals often hear messages that they are “too trusting” or “too naïve.” While these stereotypes can be harmful when generalized, research does suggest that autistic people experience significantly higher rates of victimization than the general population. Understanding why this occurs is an important step toward promoting safety, healthy relationships, and self-advocacy without placing blame on autistic individuals themselves. Autistic People Experience Higher R

Imagine telling the truth, only to have people assume you're lying. Not because of what you said. But because of how you said it. For many autistic adults, this is a lived experience. Growing research suggests that autistic individuals are often perceived as less credible, less trustworthy, and more deceptive than their neurotypical peers, even when they are being completely honest. These misperceptions can affect employment, education, healthcare, relationships, and even int

Artificial intelligence has transformed the way we create and interact with images. With just a few prompts, AI can generate remarkably realistic photographs of people, places, and events that never actually existed. Like many technological advances, AI has incredible potential. It can be used for art, accessibility, education, storytelling, and creativity. But as these tools become more sophisticated, they also raise important questions about authenticity, memory, and trust,

At Anniston Academy, learning doesn't stop at textbooks. Some of the most meaningful learning happens when students meet real people who are passionate about what they do. That's why we're launching our Community Helpers & Hobbyists Program, and we're inviting members of our community to become part of our students' educational journey. Our goal is simple: one guest each month who can introduce our students to a career, trade, skill, or hobby they may have never experienced b

At Anniston Academy, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident learner. This year, our students reminded us exactly why that mission matters. According to our i-Ready Reading Diagnostic results, the median Anniston Academy student achieved 131% of their expected annual reading growth. At first glance, that may sound like just another statistic. But behind that number is something far more meaningful. It means our students didn't simply make progres

Imagine a school where students do not just meet their expected math growth but double it in a single year. This remarkable achievement is not a fantasy but a reality for us. We saw our students achieve 200% of the expected annual math growth this year. This post explores how this extraordinary progress was made, what strategies contributed to it, and what lessons teachers, parents, and funders can take away to support neurodivergent learners. Understanding the Challenge of M

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