Established in 1997 by two mothers of children with autism and their developmental pediatrician, SARRC is now an internationally recognized nonprofit with a mission to advance research and provide a lifetime of support for individuals with autism and their families. As the state of Arizona’s largest nonprofit serving the autism community, SARRC conducts innovative research, provides evidence-based practices, disseminates effective training, and builds inclusive communities.
1997
- Southwest Autism Research Center (SARC) is founded
1998
- Open our first 1,800-square-foot facility at 10th Street and McDowell Road in Phoenix
- Inaugural Community Breakfast is held
1999
- SARC’s first education and training workshops are attended by more than 800 people
2000
- The first issue Outreach Magazine is published
- The CDC estimates that 1 in 150 8-year-old children have ASD
2001
- SARC families participate in a historic study in collaboration with Libera Universita Campus BioMedico in Rome
2002
- SARC changes its name to Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)
- SARRC introduces JumpStart®, a program empowering parents with the skills and knowledge to help navigate their new journey
- FRIEND® (Fostering Relationships in Early Network Development) is implemented by SARRC in Arizona elementary schools to help students understand and accept differences among their peers
- SARRC Grandparents Group is established to help educate, empower, and support grandparents of children with autism
2003
- SARRC and Translational Genomics Research Institute partner to conduct Arizona’s largest and most comprehensive molecular and genetics research done on autism
- The Physician Outreach program launches and work begins to develop the Autism Spectrum Disorders Screening kit for pediatricians
2004
- The first capital campaign is launched and raises $7.5 million for a new building
- SARRC partners with the international Autism Genetics Resource Exchange (AGRE), the largest private, open-access repository of clinical and genetic information dedicated to helping autism research
2005
- As a result of the 2004 capital campaign, SARRC’s Campus for Exceptional Children in Phoenix opens
2006
- The SARRC Community School®opens its doors, a milestone to create a more inclusive community
- Walk Now Arizona with Cure Autism Now launches and hosts the first walk boasting 3,500 participants
- The CDC estimates that 1 in 110 8-year-old children have ASD
2007
- SARRC hires first national autism experts with doctoral degrees to expand and enhance services.
- Arizona Autism Coalition is formed to improve the lives of individuals with ASD and their families by sharing resources and affecting autism systems reform through statewide collaboration and advocacy
2008
- SARRC supports the passing of Steven’s Law, requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for autism treatment
- SARRC’s CommunityWorks® program is introduced to provide afterschool and weekend opportunities for teens with ASD and their typically developing peer mentors
- First World Autism Awareness Day is recognized on April 2
- ThinkAsperger’s launches a screening questionnaire for parents, educators and medical professionals to aid in the identification of ASD
2009
- The Vocational & Life Skills Academy opens, allowing SARRC to expand its services for adolescents and adults
- Employment Services program is introduced for teens and adults with autism
2010
- SARRC launches its social enterprise program, Beneficial Beans®, to provide training and employment opportunities for adults with autism
2011
- “Combating Autism Reauthorization Act,” enacted in 2006, is reauthorized by President Barack Obama to ensure continual autism research, services, training and monitoring
2012
- SARRC’s sister organization, First Place AZ, is founded
- National statistics report that 1 in 68 children are affected by autism
2013
- The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) newly identifies autism as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) folding all subcategories of the condition into one umbrella diagnosis — ASD. Asperger's is no longer considered a separate condition
2014
- SARRC collaborates with First Place AZ® and the Foundation for Senior Living to launch the First Place Transition Academy, operated by SARRC
- SARRC’s CommunityWorks program is replicated in Canada
- Combating Autism Reauthorization Act is renewed for another five years as the “Autism CARES Act”
2015
- SARRC, in partnership with Behavior Imaging and Georgia Tech, help launch Naturalistic Observation Diagnostic Assessment (NODA), a clinically tested service using a smartphone app and autism specialists to diagnose or rule out autism
- SARRC’s Detecting Asperger’s Very Early (DAVE) screening questionnaire is published in the Journal of Applied School Psychology
2016
- SARRC’s second Community School in Tempe opens
- SARRC named a “pocket of excellence” by John Donvan and Caren Zucker in their book, “In a Different Key”
- Phoenix named “the most autism-friendly city in the world” by “PBS NewsHour”
2017
- SARRC celebrates 20 years.
- March 3 was proclaimed “SARRC’s Social Enterprise Day” by the Office of the Governor of Arizona
- SARRC introduces its first mobile app bringing the Social Challenges Screening Questionnaire (formerly the DAVE screening questionnaire) into hands of more parents, educations and providers
2018
- The CDC reports 1 in 59 children have been identified as having autism in the U.S.
2019
- SARRC unveils its new strategic plan to become a statewide organization by 2030
- A SARRC-led study funded by the national institute of mental health lowers ASD diagnosis three years earlier than age reported by the CDC
- Phoenix Suns all-star, Devin Booker, and Phoenix Suns Charities honored SARRC as one of the “Devin Booker Starting Five"
2020
- SARRC successfully transitions vital programs and services to telehealth models during the Covid-19 pandemic
- SARRC launches new, free Easy Access Autism Screening program
- SARRC introduces new Sibshops program for siblings of individuals with autism
- After a successful four years in use, NODA becomes a standard part of SARRC’s diagnostic process
- SARRC co-develops virtual autism simulator and training for law enforcement with VirTra
2021
- Launched a three-year, $1 million research study funded by the National Science Foundation to improve STEM learning in museums for people with autism
- Opened a third Community School in South Scottsdale, marking SARRC's fourth campus location
- SARRC held its inaugural YES Day for Autism® event
- SARRC introduced its first Self-Advocate Advisory Board
2022
- The CDC reports 1 in 44 children have been identified as having autism in the U.S.
- Celebrating 25 years of providing service to individuals with autism and their families