Resources for Families

ASCEND stands for Autism Spectrum Center for Educational and Neurological Development. Founded in 2007, we provide services across every stage of life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related disabilities in Yavapai County, Arizona.

It is likely you will not have to pay tuition from your personal funds. Most families fund tuition through Arizona's ESA Empowerment Scholarship Account, an Arizona program that provides funds for students with special needs to attend private schools , which for students in the autism category often covers the full cost of tuition. Tuition varies depending on individual factors, and we work with each family to navigate options.

ABA Applied Behavior Analysis, a proven, evidence-based approach to understanding and improving behavior (Applied Behavior Analysis) is a well-established, evidence-based approach to understanding behavior and how it is affected by the environment. At ASCEND, we use ABA principles to structure our educational program, breaking learning into manageable steps, reinforcing positive progress, and tracking measurable outcomes. It's the gold standard in autism education.

ASCEND serves individuals across their entire lifespan. Our K-12 school accepts students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Our Adult Day Program serves individuals 18 and older. And Hope Haven Ranch provides permanent residential care for young adults with profound autism. The need doesn't stop at 18. And neither do we.

Yes. ASCEND is approved by the Arizona Department of Education as a private special education school. We are also a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 20-8948581). Our adult services are funded through Arizona's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).

No. An autism diagnosis is not required to attend ASCEND. We also serve students with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, speech and language disorders, and challenging behaviors. We encourage families to meet with us to discuss their child's individual needs and determine if ASCEND is the right fit.

We offer rolling admissions year-round. There's no need to wait for a new school year. The first step is to contact us to schedule a visit. We'll meet with your family, discuss your child's individualized needs, and walk you through the enrollment and funding process.

In many cases, yes. Students often receive transportation through their home school district, and for some families it comes at no cost. Options depend on where you live, so contact us and we'll help you sort out what's available.

Students bring lunch from home. Our staff help heat and serve meals and support students through lunch as needed, so mealtime is calm and manageable for every child.