SARRC and First Place AZ Announce New Specialty License Plate: “Driving Support for Autism”
SARRC and First Place® AZ have teamed up to introduce Arizona’s first specialty autism license plate: “Driving Support for Autism.” Designed to raise awareness and generate support for autism-related programs and services across Arizona, artwork for the license plate was created by Joe Bradley, an accomplished artist on the autism spectrum and a founding member […]
Swirl, Sip & Savor: An Evening of Elegance, Impact
Luxury met philanthropy as SARRC hosted its signature biennial event, Swirl, Sip & Savor, at the scenic Mountain Shadows Resort on Friday, March 21. The evening brought together fine wine, gourmet cuisine and charitable spirit, raising an impressive $600,000 in support of SARRC’s Think Autism program and other early intervention programs. Guests were treated to […]
SARRC Celebrates Grand Opening of Its Mesa Campus
L-R: Alicia Goforth, City of Mesa Councilmember; Chadwick Campbell, Board Chair of SARRC; James Murphy, CEO of Willmeng; Eric Sterner, Principal and Co-Founder of L A S T Architects; Brad Lang, Principal and Co-Founder of L A S T Architects; Mike and Kathy Bosco, Capital Campaign Co-chairs of SARRC; Daniel Openden, President & CEO of […]
From Uncertainty to Empowerment: A Journey with SARRC’s JumpStart Program
Like many parents navigating the early signs of autism, Margot and her family found themselves facing uncertainty. Before discovering SARRC, they searched for answers, unsure of how best to support their son, Luke. “We were questioning our every move as parents of a child who had undiagnosed learning differences and speech regression/delay,” Margot shares. “We […]
SARRC Welcomes Three New Board Members
(From Left to Right: Thomas Baker, Anthony Herro and Jon Hulburd) Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is pleased to announce Thomas Baker, Anthony Herro and Jon Hulburd to its Board of Directors. Thomas Baker, Ph.D. | Boston Consulting Group, Managing Director and Partner Thomas Baker is a Managing Director and Partner at the […]
The World’s Most Autism-Friendly City
In 2016, PBS News Hour declared Phoenix to be “the most autism-friendly city in the world.” This mural, located on the west side of Goodmans at 14th Street and Indian School Road in central Phoenix, consecrates that status with a tribute to a few of the innovative organizations that contribute to the autism ecosystem in […]
A Day in the Life: Hilary Ottaviano, Senior Clinical Supervisor
My name is Hilary Ottaviano, and I am a Senior Clinical Supervisor at the Scottsdale Paiute Community School campus. I have been with SARRC for nearly three years and hold a master’s degree in applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Arizona State University. The field of ABA is particularly meaningful to me, as one of my […]
SARRC in the News: A Watch Factory Embraces Workers with Autism
We’re honored to be featured in The New York Times! The article highlights adults with autism working at Fine Timepiece Solutions (FTS) American Manufacturing. Kunal Naik, FTS founder and CEO, hadn’t originally considered the connection between autism and watchmaking—until a business partner mentioned his niece, who has autism, would thrive in a quiet environment where […]
SARRC’s Employment Partnerships Promotes Diversity in the Workplace
Paid community-based employment is the least common outcome for autistic adults, with only 14% holding a job for pay in the community (National Indicators Report, 2017). Over the next decade, it is estimated that up to 1 million youth on the autism spectrum will transition to adulthood and may be seeking employment. Nationally, it’s reported […]
Life-Changing Diagnosis
By Dena Isaacs My official journey with autism started four days before my 31st birthday, but looking back, I realize now that my experiences with autism started well before my 30s dating back to my childhood. Growing up, I always asked my mom, “Why me?” Why was I having a hard time socially and suffering […]