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This year was life changing for Kristopher, a 22-year-old adult with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the spring, after being connected to Beneficial Beans, SARRC’s social enterprise program, he embarked on two new experiences that helped him learn vital workplace skills—internships within the Beneficial Beans Cafe and Garden.

Nationally, more than 90 percent of adults with autism (ASD) are unemployed or underemployed, but Beneficial Beans—a social enterprise business of Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)—is working on changing this statistic by providing employment-training opportunities for adults with ASD. These opportunities are funded through the sale of their products.

Beneficial Beans, SARRC's social enterprise business, does more than just sell coffee products – it provides hope to adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Beneficial Beans provides an opportunity for interns with ASD to gain valuable job and life skills, and secure meaningful employment that assists them on the road to independence.

This special video testimonial from a Beneficial Beans intern is certain to put a smile on your face, and showcases how your purchase supports adults with ASD.   

On Sunday, October 23, more than 20,000 people from across the state gathered at Tempe Beach Park in support of the Autism Speaks Walk in Partnership with SARRC. The annual event raised an estimated $875,000 that will go toward supporting autism programs and research. Half of all monies raised during the walk will stay in Arizona. It is the state’s largest annual autism awareness event.

When experts talk about autism, they note that early diagnosis and intervention can often make a world of difference. This is true for Chandler family Jenn, George and their 5-year-old son Derek who was diagnosed with autism at 16 months.

More than 1,000 business leaders attending the recent Economic Outlook event hosted by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce voted on their phones at Cox7.com and selected SARRC from among 20 local nonprofit organizations to receive a $10,000 grant. Established in 1997, SARRC is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to autism research, education, evidence based treatment and community outreach. 

Like most four years olds, John Michael of Bagdad, Arizona is a “giant bundle of energy,” according to his mom, Jennifer, a special education teacher.

“He [John Michael] is outgoing, adventurous, loves the outdoors, and has a particular love of sprinklers and anything that spins,” Jennifer said. “He hasn't met a grasshopper he couldn't catch and can name virtually every native Arizona cactus he comes across.”

John Donvan and Caren Zucker, highly acclaimed journalists from ABC’s Nightline, recently released their now New York Times best-selling book, “In A Different Key-The Story of Autism,” which documents the history of autism dating back to the very first person ever diagnosed.  As part of their book tour, Donvan and Zucker visited Phoenix, Arizona and highlighted a passage from the epilogue of their book, which refers to the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (S