News

SARRC Awarded $75k to Support Expansion of the Community School

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is pleased to announce a $75,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to expand one of the organization’s key programs: SARRC’s Community School.

The Community School's first campus opened is 2005, and serves as an inclusive preschool where children with autism learn alongside their typically developing peers. SARRC currently has two campuses in Phoenix and Tempe, and are home to a total of seven classrooms and approximately 115 students.

SARRC Announces Two New Board Members

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is pleased to announce the election of two new members to its Board of Directors: Chadwick Campbell and Jamie Price.

SARRC’s Board of Directors are an integral part of the organization’s overall success and are comprised of community and business leaders who are deeply engaged in supporting individuals with autism and their families as well as driving growth for the organization.

Chadwick Campbell

Michael's Goal | Gaining meaningful employment

At age 58, Michael came to SARRC unemployed. Self-sufficient and hardworking, SARRC helped Michael secure a job where he recently celebrated his one-year anniversary. According to his supervisor, Michael is one of the company’s most reliable and dedicated employees. Every day, Michael independently rides the bus to his job and has proudly achieved his goal of gaining meaningful, competitive employment.

Eleni's Goal | Earning her varsity letter

Eleni was diagnosed with autism at 19 months and has utilized SARRC’s services ever since. From in-home therapy to ongoing support at Sunnyslope High School, SARRC has continued to customize its involvement. A thoughtful young lady and talented runner, Eleni recently achieved one of her high school goals: lettering in cross-country.

Tony's Goal | Communicating his needs

Tony, a cute, curious and energetic boy with a smile that breaks hearts, was diagnosed at 20 months. Ever since he enrolled in SARRC’s Community School, an inclusive preschool, Tony has overcome significant language barriers. Now a thriving three-year-old, he has gained 21 months in his language development in just 16 months at the Community School. Our evidence-based approach, individualized treatment plans, caring team members and supportive community have helped thousands of children, teens and adults achieve their goals. Help us achieve ours by making a gift today.

Video: Achieving Goals, Making Smiles.

Since 1997, SARRC has been helping people with autism achieve their goals. Help us achieve ours.

One in 59 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder, making it the most prevalent childhood developmental disorder in the U.S. Through SARRC's effective services, a diagnosis that previously called for institutionalization, now gives people with autism and their families hope and a future to look forward to.

Give the gift of a smile and donate today.

LibraryWorks Offers Opportunities for Teens, Like Oscar, to Make Connections

One day, as Emma Rodriguez was driving down 16th Street in Phoenix, she got lost. It turned out to be fortuitous. As she was trying to find where she needed to be, she spotted a sign that said “autism”—and immediately turned around and went in.

Emma’s son, Oscar, has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the building she had happened upon was SARRC.

Teen Participants Gain Support Through New Social Skills Program at SARRC

SARRC is welcoming teens grades 7 through 12 to the PEERS® program, an evidence-based, parent-assisted social skills program aimed at helping teens to make and keep friends. PEERS is a 14-week program that teaches skills ranging from how to enter and exit conversations to how to handle teasing, bullying and rejection.

While teens are in their sessions, parents have a separate class where they learn how to be their teen's social coach.

SARRC’s Employment Services, Partnerships Programs Help with Employment for All Ages

Four-days-a-week, from 7-11 a.m., 60-year-old, Michael can be found at work at The University of Arizona’s Downtown Phoenix campus. He navigates a bus and train to get there, and it’s a routine that he looks forward to—and enjoys.

After being out of work for more than a year, he is grateful for the opportunity, as well as the support he found in looking for and training for a job.

Michael, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), found the position as part of Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center’s (SARRC) Employment Services program.

SARRC, Autism Speaks Celebrate 13th Annual Autism Walk

On Sunday, Oct. 28, families from around Arizona came together to celebrate the 2018 Autism Speaks Walk in partnership with SARRC. The event drew nearly 15,000 participants comprising 530 walk teams who came together to celebrate autism awareness in our community. The 13th annual event raised more than $650,000 to support critical autism research and resources.