News

Summer can be a difficult time for those with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Routines are different, and though camp sounds fun, finding the right fit can seem overwhelming.

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center’s (SARRC) Summer Camp program eases the process, partnering with several summer camps in Arizona to provide inclusive programs for campers from infants through age 26.

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SARRC's 2018 Phoenix Stories Submission

When Harlow Richard turned 18 months old last August, her parents, Kimberly and Samuel decided to enroll her the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center’s (SARRC) Community School.

“It was a big change for us because she had been at home with babysitters and family before when we worked,” her mom shares. “But we had heard such great things about SARRC and the Community School and we wanted to be a part of that.”

Raceway Car Wash, which has 30 locations throughout Arizona, Nevada and Southern/Central California, is thriving—in part, due to the skills and talents of two of its recently hired employees in Arizona, both of whom are on the autism spectrum.

“Autism is something that is really close and dear to me,” explains Marc Mattfolk, regional manager who heads up the operations for the Arizona market. “I have a step-brother who has autism and a niece who has autism, and I see how they struggle.”

In 2008, two years before my nephew Elijah was born, I began helping families who were seeking immigration relief in hardship cases. I spent a great deal of time researching and interviewing applicants about special needs awareness in other parts of the world. This is when I was first introduced to autism.

Christophore Wang was around 2.5 years old when he received an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. His parents, Ying and Jim, felt overwhelmed. Where could they turn for help? How did they navigate the insurance portion? What preschool should he be at?
Their diagnosing psychologist provided the family with a list of services and places that could help, and Ying sat down to begin her research.

One of the places mentioned on the list was Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC). 

“I saw the JumpStart program,” Ying shares. 

Planning your family’s summer getaway can be stressful. The SARRC team put together some helpful tips to help you organize your vacation ahead of time to make it an enjoyable trip for everyone! 

On May 10, GateWay Community College (GWCC) honored the First Place Transition Academy 2018 graduating class at their commencement ceremony, marking the end of the two-year program in partnership with First Place AZ and the Foundation for Senior Living. 

“We congratulate our graduates and look forward to their continued success and future accomplishments,” says Brad Herron-Valenzuela, Transition Academy Instructor. “We’re especially proud of each and every students’ efforts to live an independent and self-determined life.”

In late April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM) on the prevalence of autism in the U.S.