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Getty Images Photo for Autism Speaks/Daniel Boczarski 
Story by Taylor Kinnerup | May 17

PHOENIX – A five-year study from Arizona’s Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center has helped improve autism detection in children.

In the study, SARRC’s average age of detection was 22 months. That’s more than half the average age of detection in the state reported by the Centers for Disease Control, which is 55 months.

On May 9, five graduates celebrated the culmination from the First Place Transition Academy operated by SARRC program. GateWay Community College (GWCC) honored the 2019 graduates at its commencement ceremony, marking the end of the two-year intensive and comprehensive community-based program in partnership with First Place AZ.

SARRC celebrated its 21st Community Breakfast event on May 9 which was held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort for the 20th consecutive year.

Nearly 1,500 guests attended the event, themed Next is Now—a nod to SARRC’s new strategic plan that will put effective services within reach of every Arizonan by 2030. To achieve SARRC's 10-year goals, five strategic anchors will help direct the efforts and resources. Read more about these goals on page 5.

When Arlo was 18-months-old, his parents, John and Jenna, noticed subtle sensory issues and a lack of speech development.

They asked their pediatrician if the characteristics and behaviors Arlo was exhibiting could be possible signs of autism. The pediatrician reassured them that nothing was amiss and said, “Boys develop later.”

By 2, Arlo still was not speaking.

A friend told Jenna that SARRC was conducting an early intervention study with pediatricians in the Valley, which included a pediatrician that had been recommended to them.

Thank to Arizona Coyotes veteran Shane Doan and 12News for making a special visit to SARRC's Beneficial Beans Garden. Shane had the chance to learn more about SARRC's efforts to support teens and adults with ASD through pre-employment programs and put his green thumb to work alongside our volunteers!

Watch the segment here. 

By: Jennifer Auh, FOX 10

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- Can CBD help certain autism patients?

Check out the amazing fundraisers and events you can take part in to raise awareness and funds for the autism programs, services and research at SARRC. Thank you to each of our partners for being such huge supporters of SARRC during April’s Autism Awareness Month! 

“I want my own apartment, I want to move out!” My sister has started hundreds of phone calls with this sentiment. 

At 34 years old, my sister still requires some supervision when brushing her teeth. As a behavior analyst and a sister to someone on the spectrum who has a strong desire to be independent, it is on the list of things that she still needs to learn to do. 

“I wish I had someone like you to guide me and push me to promote independence earlier on,” my mom will tell me. 

Sam, 23, thought he was going to be a teacher. His mom was a teacher, and so that was familiar to him. In fact, he even worked at her school, helping at the childcare and aftercare facility.

Then one day, Sam’s parents were looking at programs offered through (SARRC and found a summer Tech Camp program offered at University of Advancing Technology (UAT). SARRC partners with a variety of camps to support inclusive programs for campers of all ages, including this weeklong, on-campus program.

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.