Life and Work with Laura Newcomb

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Newcomb.

AUTISM ACADEMY – Laura is building academic bridges, meeting social needs, and making education for children with autism more meaningful. Her passion for helping people and meeting needs started decades before she opened the doors as the founder of the Autism Academy in 2013.

Before completing her Bachelor’s program at the University of Wyoming in 1988, she met the late Donald Newcomb. The Elementary Education and Industrial Engineer undergrads fell in love – August 11, 1990, the college sweethearts shared wedding vows. Soon after, the Newcomb’s built a family, giving birth to three children; Graham, 23, Kalona, 22, and Kalina, 19.

In 2002, the family relocated to Arizona.

Laura continued her education at the University of Phoenix, earning a Master of Science in Administration, and a certification in Cross Categorical (Special Education). Donald Newcomb earned a Master of Business Administration in Information Technology.

While working as a special education director, one of Laura’s responsibilities included child placement. “Most facilities would only take kids with an IQ of 90 or above,” she said. “And no program worked with students only diagnosed with autism.”

She noticed an unsupervised lower functioning student sitting under a lunchroom table at a private facility. She describes that incident as the last straw that compelled the couple to develop a program that would teach and treat children with autism with dignity, compassion, and respect.

“The Autism Academy was birthed out of a need,” she said.

Laura and Donald Newcomb merged their passions to support students with autism with the dream of building amazingly unique schools. They shaped a business plan, searched for investors, and secured a location. After conquering a lengthy process that included defining a specialized curriculum, the school attained accreditation. “We started with 1 location, 24 students, and 4 teachers,” Newcomb said. “Now we have 3 locations, 160+ employees, and 390 students.”

On November 12, 2015, after a 25-year journey, the Newcomb family experienced a great loss – Donald died.

Laura’s fingers remain on the pulse of the vision, passion, and legacy they gave birth to upon opening the doors of the Autism Academy. The school for children with autism continues to thrive and advance. Newcomb says her source of success, strength, and steadfastness comes from the secret of relying on her faith. Despite personal challenges, she remained focused.

“We have an intense program,” she said. “And we manage to attract good-hard-working professionals.” Unlike similar facilities, the Autism Academy covers the complete spectrum of different functioning levels of students with autism. “We have a better system,” Newcomb explained. “We will challenge any program in the area.” She described her ultimate school strategy as a system of putting kids first. “I’ve always cared about helping people,” she said. “And our innovative program is breaking barriers wherever the system needs change.

Currently, Newcomb’s sites are set on launching an Autism Academy in Tucson, Arizona because of regional need and repeated requests.

“Laura is selfless,” said Peoria Autism Academy principal Shawn Davis. “She is a leader that I aspire to be like.” Others echoed similar sentiments. She’s supported by an assiduous executive team solving systemic problems. Her teachers and staff understand the importance of duplicating successful strategies and advancing academic excellence through quality programming and professionalism. Newcomb is intentionally defining a new narrative that is rapidly advancing education for children with autism throughout Arizona.

Has it been a smooth road?
Currently, Newcomb is busy expanding her reach to rural Maricopa and as far as Tucson.

She surrounds herself with leadership that understands the importance of professionally coping with challenges.

Employees at AAED roll up their sleeves, encourage cross training, express gratitude, demonstrate humility, listen effectively, make themselves accessible, take responsibility, recognize the little wins, and establish strong values.

The school operates based on protocols, procedures, and policies that empower employees to stay in compliance with accreditation guidelines.

After overcoming startup costs and other financial challenges in 2013, Newcomb continues to manage unexpected obstacles.

“We’ve had a flood in one facility and difficulties securing a director to lead with passion at another,” Newcomb explained. “But none of these challenges compare to the loss of my husband.”

On November 12, 2015, the unpredicted death of Don Newcomb demanded a deeper dedication from every employee.

Don’s deliberate sense of selflessness and service to others, especially children, lingers in the legacy etched onto the building blocks displayed at each campus.

Newcomb, the founding directors, and the leadership team understand the added value of transforming challenges into assets.

The positive atmosphere makes for an easy-to-cope-with work environment, despite challenges.

“If I were to give advice to anyone starting a business, it would be to surround yourself with experienced and passionate people who support and share the same vision,” said Newcomb.

Her statewide initiative of advancing and enriching education for students with autism is positioned to launch nationwide.

She’s earned the reputation as a trailblazer amongst educators because of her passion for putting kids first at all cost.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Autism Academy for Education and Development – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Her passion and perseverance define her living-legacy as a pathfinder forging ahead for families coping with autism.

Autism spectrum disorder is a mental condition characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships, which affects language and abstract concepts.

Each individual with autism is different, this is why each diagnosis has distinctive ranges on the spectrum requiring individual education plans.

Newcomb created a program that serves as a safe place for all students on any range of the spectrum.

The program includes Math, English, Physical Education, Robotics, Vocational, and Life Skills, Art, Speech and Occupational Therapy, and so much more.

Students are supported, respected, and treated with a sense of normalcy while enjoying the same academic advantages as neuro-typical students.

“We used to talk about doing something like this,” said Durant “And then it quickly turned from us talking to ‘Guess what we’re doing?”

The program encompasses everything from before and aftercare, the latest behavioral strategies, to transportation services.

Now, the school employees almost 200 staff members, from teachers, para-professionals, speech and occupational therapists, to support staff, administrators and directors.

Enrollment has increased to about 400 students valley wide.

AAED progressively evolved to three campuses occupying five facilities and continuing to grow.

Parents repeatedly boast about the life-changing program.

Newcomb is committed to making sure students have the most innovative and integrated technologies, classroom resources, support staff, and in-house therapy services.

As a result, the cutting edge program is constantly evolving and continues to lead the way with academics in the autism community.

Who have you been inspired by?
The most influential woman in my life was my mother. She set a great example of someone who was passionate about giving back to the community and empowering others to leave a legacy.

She was the chairperson of many organizations and her motto was to always leave it better than how she found it. She was a pioneer of the time when women were just coming more into the workforce and becoming recognized for their contributions to the community.

My mom had strong faith and dedication to her friends and family.

Contact Info:

• Address: 7541 S Willow Drive
  Tempe, AZ 85283
• Website: www.aaed.org
• Phone: 480-232-7437
• Email: lnewcomb@exacservices.com
• Facebook: autismacademyforeducationanddevelopment

Image Credit:
Autism Academy for Education and Development

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.