Our History

Exceptional Academic Services dba Empowered Adult Services was founded with a mission to provide meaningful support and opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities while also supporting the families who care for them. The organization was originally established by Laura Newcomb as a complementary program to Autism Academy for Education and Development (AAED), with the goal of providing additional services that families could access through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).

In its early stages, EAS provided respite and DTT services through center-based aftercare programs located on AAED campuses throughout the state of Arizona. These programs allowed families to access support outside of the traditional school day while ensuring their children remained in a familiar and trusted environment with trained staff members who understood their unique needs.

As the program grew, EAS expanded to include fall, spring, and summer break camps in 2020 that were designed to support families during school closures. These programs helped alleviate a common concern many parents face: ensuring their child has safe, structured, and engaging care when school is not in session.

EAS officially became a qualified vendor through the Division of Developmental Disabilities in 2019. At that time, the organization began building the foundation for expanded services. When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in 2020, the demand for essential support services increased significantly, prompting EAS to expand its offerings to include DTT and DTS services.

Around this time, leadership within the organization began exploring a new question: what happens when students with developmental disabilities graduate from school? Many existing adult day programs lacked the resources and programming needed to truly cultivate the interests and abilities of their members.

In response, Empowered Adult Services launched its Day Treatment for Adults (DTA) program on August 23, 2021. The program opened with 11 members, one HCBS coordinator, one site manager, and three full-time providers. The first location—affectionately referred to as “The Farm”—was established in Gilbert, Arizona and served as the starting point for the program’s vision of providing engaging, community-focused experiences for adults with developmental disabilities.

As participation grew, the program continued to expand and evolve. In November of 2024, Empowered Adult Services relocated to its current facility at 500 S. Gilbert Road in Gilbert, Arizona. Today, the organization serves adults of all ages and continues to focus on providing opportunities for personal growth, independence, community involvement, and meaningful connection.

What began as a small program designed to support families has grown into a thriving organization dedicated to empowering adults with developmental disabilities to find their purpose by cultivating their interests.