Northport, AL: Academy opens autism preschool
- The end of childhood
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Feb 2, 2026, WBRC, Birmingham, AL: Archway Academy for children with special needs opens in west Alabama
Educational options for children with special needs are growing in Northport.
A new preschool called Archway Academy opened in January. It’s geared towards supporting toddlers diagnosed with autism.
Its founder calls it the first inclusive preschool in Tuscaloosa County. Dr. Shan Archibald says they welcome children who have autism and those she describes as “neurotypical.” She and staff work with kids between the ages of two and a half and five years old.
Dr. Archibald is the mother of 9-year-old triplets. Two of them are autistic.
Dr. Archibald believes her experience as a mom to children with autism, along with her background as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with training in a pre-school setting, makes her aware of children with those needs.
She says they drove to Birmingham for years for services she now provides locally.
“Well resources for children with autism are scarce wherever you go. Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, wherever you go there is a waiting list for children with autism because if you don’t know it is more prevalent because of more screening, diagnosis, and early intervention. It’s been around for years, but there’s more awareness. So, we’re outnumbered,” Dr. Archibald added.
Archibald says they also have a strong emphasis on social-emotional development and individualized support.
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