A Day in the Life: Sean Harris, Lead Behavior Therapist
My name is Sean Harris and I work as a Lead Behavior Therapist in the Comprehensive Behavioral Program. I have my master’s in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from the University of Western Florida, which is a benefit SARRC provided me! I first started volunteering at SARRC in the summer of 2014 and applied for a […]
New, Improved Employment Partnerships Program at SARRC
Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center is excited to reintroduce our Employment Partnerships program! SARRC’s Employment Partnerships program is dedicated to supporting employers in building inclusive workplace cultures. By partnering with SARRC, employers commit to fostering diversity, trust, and a sense of belonging. Additionally, an inclusive culture can lead to a workplace that is built […]
Finding Strength: Amanda’s Journey with Autism
For over a decade, Amanda Steele, a speech-language pathology assistant, inherently knew she was different and had always suspected autism. Yet, despite being well-connected in the autism community with a 24-year-old low-verbal autistic son, she never pursued a diagnosis for herself. In 2021, Amanda realized she needed support. She struggled with unhealthy relationships and sensory […]
Celebrating Pride Month at SARRC
Happy Pride Month! During Pride Month and every month in between, SARRC is proud to stand by and support our LGBTQ+ community. As an organization built on the values of inclusion, we must shine a light on the intersection of identities within our community, which includes spreading awareness and educating others about the LGBTQ+ and […]
Finding Support through SARRC’s Comprehensive Behavioral Program
In 2014, Susie and Niels Jensen, then living in Augusta, Georgia, received an autism diagnosis for their 3-year-old daughter, Claire. Faced with a lack of effective services in their area, the Jensens pursued a nationwide search for support. Their search led them to the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California Santa Barbara in […]
SARRC Celebrates 26th Annual Community Breakfast, Watch the Full Program
On Friday, May 3, over 1,500 community members filled the Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore Resort to celebrate SARRC’s Annual Community Breakfast, themed Better for Tomorrow, which highlighted the importance of building connections and how communities everywhere can prepare and help create brighter futures for all. The annual event, which is SARRC’s […]
SARRC Announces Dr. Cara Christ to its Board of Directors
Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Cara Christ, M.D., M.S., to its board of directors. Dr. Christ is Chief Medical Officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona where she oversees the Clinical Excellence division including Clinical Therapeutics, Provider Partnerships, Clinical Quality, Wellness and Integrated Care and […]
Finding Independence
In 2021, Ava Rosenberg, 22, was researching programs tailored to adults like herself with autism that would help her gain independence and arm her with the skills needed to find meaningful employment. During this search, she discovered the First Place Transition Academy, housed in the supportive environment of First Place®–Phoenix, which offers clinical services through […]
A Day in the Life: Dr. Stephen James, Research Data Manager
My name is Stephen James, and I’m the Research Data Manager at SARRC. I’ve been with the research team since 2014. What drew you to SARRC? After receiving my Ph.D. from Arizona State University, I was interested in continuing to study autism. I learned about a research coordinator position at SARRC for a study funded […]
SARRC Self-Advocate Advisory Board: ‘What Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month Means to Us’
To celebrate Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month, we asked members of our SAAB to participate in a short Q&A on what the month means to them.