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 […]
Defying Odds
At nearly 2 years old, Maximo Daniel wasn’t like his peers. “We noticed Maximo was more sensitive to some things than other kids,” says his mother, Jennifer. His speech was also delayed, but because he’d had hearing challenges that had affected his speech, Jennifer didn’t want to jump to conclusions too quickly. She waited until […]
A Mother’s Instinct
They say nothing beats a mother’s instincts, and Mila Delnero is a fierce believer in the old adage. A mother to twin boys who just turned two, it would have been easy to be overwhelmed and to chalk up some of her nagging concerns to first-time parenting or, as many told her, “Things her children […]
SARRC Hosts Sledgehammer Ceremony to Commemorate New Kathryn G. Bosco Mesa Campus
On June 6, SARRC held a Sledgehammer Ceremony to celebrate the renovations underway at its newest and fifth campus, located at Power and McKellips roads in Mesa. The event was attended by SARRC’s leadership team, representatives from Willmeng Construction and Last Architects, along with prominent SARRC supporters, as SARRC ceremoniously began demolition to make way […]