Our Mission
To advance research and provide a lifetime of support for individuals with autism and their families.
Our Vision
People with autism meaningfully integrated into inclusive communities.
About Us
Established in 1997, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is an internationally recognized nonprofit that conducts innovative research, provides evidence-based practices, disseminates effective training and builds inclusive communities for individuals with autism and their families. SARRC is dedicated to autism research, education, evidence-based treatment, and community outreach. Additionally, SARRC is one of the only autism organizations in the world that provides a lifetime of services for individuals and their families while also conducting cutting-edge research.
We’re also an entrepreneurial nonprofit, with less than three percent of annual revenue coming from state and federal funding. Our 18,000-square-foot Campus for Exceptional Children and our 10,000-square-foot Colonel Harland D. Sanders Center for Autism Studies, co-located with our Vocational & Life Skills Academy, are state-of-the-art clinical centers that serve as models for similar research and resource facilities.
Learn how SARRC will put effective services within reach of every Arizonan by 2030 here.
SARRC’s Clinical Model
SARRC’s clinical model is grounded in applied behavior analysis (ABA) with a particular focus on naturalistic behavioral interventions in inclusive environments, including but not limited to: home, school, job or community. SARRC provides support through children’s services, family services, teen and adult services, diagnostic services, community services, and ongoing research studies. Each of SARRC’s programs, classes, and trainings are guided by best practice models; the most currently available science; increasing independence and producing meaningful outcomes; and the individualized needs of the children, teens, adults, and families we serve.Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at SARRC
SARRC’s DEI Committee was established in 2020 to encourage, empower and embrace the full potential of all team members at SARRC. It is important to SARRC to ensure that DEI strategies are a sustainable and integral part of our future. Therefore, our DEI efforts aim to promote a culture that respects diversity so that individuals of all backgrounds will feel a stronger sense of belonging when working or receiving services at SARRC. Our committee strives to achieve three core areas of focus:- Education and Awareness: develop a process to continuously share educational resources related to DEI in the workplace.
- Organizational Advisement: develop mechanisms to consistently integrate DEI strategies into SARRC’s strategic plan and amplify team member voices.
- Incoming Talent: develop a consistent recruitment strategy to expand outreach by intentionally recruiting within diverse communities.