Phillip R.
Parent
My son is blessed to attend this amazing school. The curriculum and teachers all give him the best chance at having a life of meaning, purpose, and joy - the school's mission! There are 54 families enrolled this year. Absolutely amazing because this school started as a summer camp and has touched so many family's lives in its first two years. Thank you AIA!!
Marty M.
Parent
After spending almost a year of personal time to help get this amazing school ready to open its doors, it has been my pleasure to give the best thumbs up for them. I have personally seen the growth of the school and teachers support for each and every student that is enrolled.
DG
Parent
This school has been essential for my child who is in middle school. He struggled in other schools that did not have the right strategies and supports. This is not the case at AIA. He has soared academically and has developed friendships within the school. His teachers have given him the support he needs to be a successful student.
Jaime Tull
Parent
This school has been amazing for our 1st grader! The staff is amazing and very caring. The principal is extremely involved. After seeing her in action, it is very apparent why she was voted ESE teacher of the year in the past. Amazing compassion and a focus on meeting individual needs is paramount in this school. EXCELLENT communication with student families. We are thankful everyday for finding this school! Our son is flourishing
Leelan Sala
Parent
I tried numerous schools with my autistic son and he hated everyone of them. Every day was a battle to get him out the door. Since starting autism inspired his speech and comprehension have increased so much he was able to go into a karate class without any special needs assistance. And the biggest plus is that my son loves the school and can’t get out the door fast enough. I’ve been able to converse with the teachers and administrative staff any time I’ve had questions or concerns. I really can’t say enough good things about the school
Colleen M.
Parent
Having worked in Special Needs for 30 years it was incredible to find a school like Autism Inspired Academy. With the primary goal of assisting the children to live lives of meaning, purpose, and joy the staff and administrators are second to none. A safe campus with buildings playgrounds and classrooms that are engaging and motivating. All of the children's needs can be met with a very diverse variety of Specialized Services. A.I.A. is a wonderful place to learn and grow all the while building social relationships and making friends. Staff are caring, effective and committed to the needs of our Autistic Community.
Jaime Lewis
Parent
My son has made wonderful friends. His social and motor skills have improved. He receives support and participates in activities that he hasn’t gotten anywhere else. The staff is knowledgeable and caring, and they encourage him to go outside of his comfort zone and try new things. The dedicated staff helps him do things I am not able to do. I can’t say enough about our experience with Autism Inspired. Truly, such a gift.
David K
Parent
AIA has been an answer to our families’ prayers. Having children presents its challenges for every parent along the way. Neurotypical, or atypical… it doesn’t matter. Each of them need love, patience, care, and an opportunity to learn. When you become the parent of a special needs child, you’re automatically enrolled in a life faced with challenges you could never truly prepare for. You learn quickly that the primary reason for your existence is to be your child’s advocate and protector.
This sounds simple enough, but when dealing with public school systems, political agendas, and over-worked teachers with an overwhelming teacher-to-student ratio who get very little support along the way, you start to see all the things your ‘special little one’ doesn’t get. You get angry, you get frustrated, you get to that point where you look in all directions… just looking for help from someone who understands and can offer you a better option.
Well, that was me and my wife for many years. IEP meeting after IEP meeting, pushing and fighting to get the very best for our boy. Although we did get some wins along the way, they all seemed to come at a cost and it seemed like as he got older, resources began to thin out and unrealistic expectations were placed upon him.
Then came AIA. Like a lightning bolt of love, commitment, passion, understanding, professionalism, and nothing short of pure joy for what they do… this team has given our son the best opportunity to grow academically, expand his level of understanding around social skills, and has met him exactly ‘where he is’ on the spectrum.
Cher Harris and her staff are committed to each and every one of their kids. Yes, I say ‘their kids’ because they are more than just ‘students’ to them. They teach them. The get to know them. They learn how they each ‘tick’. They love them. This is far more than just their job. It is their purpose.
We are so grateful to AIA. More than that… We are forever indebted.
Jennifer W.
Parent
AIA has changed my family’s life. My non-verbal son’s time in public school was filled with more bad days than good, spending most of his school day crying, not eating or drinking, and unable to express his emotions. He didn’t have the support, guidance or focused attention he needed to stay on task, nor did he have the desire. He was miserable every day at school.
Almost immediately after starting AIA, something changed with my son. He stopped fighting me to go to school. He was soon getting “good or great day” reports from his teacher and behavioral therapist. He was doing schoolwork. These are not the reports we were used to getting from his teachers. His teacher Mrs. C gave us something we had never experienced with other schools and that was great communication. He was becoming more confident, more independent, he was listening, and communicating more than we have ever experienced with him.
AIA didn’t stop there though. Our non-verbal daughter, who also attends, didn't hesitate to show her love for her new school. Watching her jump out of the car every day excited to go in brings such joy and peace to our hearts, from learning how to ride a bike on Fridays, to working with the farm animals, and learning the Zones of Regulation. Our daughter loves every second she spends at AIA and it’s seen on her smiling face the second we pull in.
We are in our second year with AIA and we are so fortunate to have such passionate and dedicated educators and staff working with our children. AIA is focused on meeting the children’s individual needs so that they can grow to be the best versions of themselves. I know when I drop them off every morning that they are safe, happy, and they are making meaningful connections with their teachers and peers, all while receiving the best education possible in an environment that was specifically designed to accommodate their needs. School is no longer a Monday morning dread for our family. It’s an exciting start to our week, and we could not be more thankful to the AIA staff for changing our lives.
Matthew C.
Parent
Since going to AIA my son has grown up in so many ways, it’s truly a joy to see.
My husband and I were able to win custody of our son and his sister from Ohio foster care system. Both children were abused, making them very withdrawn. Our son spoke in whispers only to his sister. His hands shook so hard and he was self-harming with melts downs that lasted for hours. He had terrible habits of cracking his head on walls or floors when he got frustrated or biting his lips and nails until they bleed.
We tried public school but soon learned that it was not a good fit for him. It felt as if the public school system was unable to manage his level of Autism. Calling almost every other day for us to come pick him up. He has been going to AIA since 2019, AIA helps not only with a child’s academic studies but everyday life skills. Going to a school with the same caring teachers and classmates has brought him out of his shell. They worked magic on him, he is a sweet young man friendly and outgoing now. He is popular with his friends and happy to spend time with them.
HE IS READING something the doctors in Ohio said may not be possible. He is a level 3 on the autism spectrum with severe ADHD, to get him to sit down long enough to read a line was a chore but the fantastic teachers and staff at AIA have him participating in a normal class. Every year his math and reading levels go up, some go up slowly, but all improvement is a blessing. He knows he has autism but does not feel different at AIA, which is so major. The unpleasant habits he came to us with are almost gone. He has not cracked his head in over two years. He comes home tells me about his class and when I ask what he learned that day he tells me all about it.
KimDung H.
Parent
Since attending AIA, my son has continuously exhibited remarkable improvement in his manners, patience, and ability to follow directions. As a single mother caring for two children and working full-time with a demanding travel schedule, the school's supportive system and consistent communication have been invaluable. My son truly loves his time at school; he comes home every day with a smile and enthusiastically talks about the school farm, Shark Bite, art, and biking. I also deeply appreciate that the school does not assign daily homework. It is challenging to get him to focus on homework at home, so this allows us to concentrate on reading and activities he genuinely enjoys, which is a much more manageable approach given my busy schedule.
My son has also been able to do most of his daily routine at home independently, along with helping with small tasks such as cleaning up around the house, folding clothes, and tidying up after himself. He also exudes confidence when communicating with others in public, now taking the initiative to greet and speak to people politely when he is out.
The kindness and positive attitudes consistently displayed by all the teachers at AIA are truly reassuring. Every interaction leaves me with the impression that my son is exceptionally well taken care of, allowing me to focus on my work without distraction or worry. We also greatly appreciate the school's special events, such as the Halloween celebration, which provide a wonderful environment for my son to participate in and are convenient for our family. Thanks to AIA's support, he has improved so much that he has been able to fly internationally twice to visit his grandparents. Before AIA, I hadn't even considered the possibility of taking him back home to Vietnam since his autism diagnosis. I am profoundly thankful that AIA is there, teaching and guiding special students like my son.