First STEM school for autistic students opens in south Phoenix

Twelve students are finishing up their first semester at Science Prep Academy, a school designed to help autistic students develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Kenneth Mims, founder and principal of the school, says his goal is to give his students a path to become scientists. In addition to STEM education, the students work with speech and occupational therapists to understand nonverbal cues and self-regulation.