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.
SARRC, First Place AZ Announce Successful Passage of New Specialty License Plate Proposal
SARRC and First Place AZ joined Governor Katie Hobbs in the Governor’s Executive Tower as she signed the bill into law on Monday, April 8. Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), in collaboration with First Place® AZ, is excited to announce the approval of a new specialty license plate, “Driving Support for Autism,” through […]
National Science Foundation Awards $2.2 Million to SARRC and Collaborators to Expand Training of Informal Learning Educators
In 2020, SARRC’s research team embarked on a collaborative project with the Institute for Learning Innovation and the SciTech Institute to improve inclusivity of informal STEM learning settings like museums in Arizona for children and teens with autism. The project team modified and piloted a training approach initially developed for parents and teachers to be […]
SARRC Expanding to Mesa, Ariz. in Early 2025
In early 2025, SARRC will open its fifth campus located at Power and McKellips roads in Mesa, Arizona. The new Kathryn G. Bosco Campus aligns with SARRC’s Strategic Plan to operate nine “brick-and-mortar” campuses across the state by 2030. SARRC’s new Mesa campus will house a fourth Community School, an inclusive preschool program for children […]
A Day in the Life: Katie Hoyle, Senior Clinical Supervisor
Hi! My name is Katie Hoyle, and I have been with SARRC for 11 years. I initially started at SARRC as an intern during my junior year of college, and then returned in 2013 as a Clinical Interventionist I, before working up to my current role as a Senior Clinical Supervisor at our Tempe Community […]
SARRC Welcomes Four New Board Members
SARRC is pleased to welcome Leslie Barakat, Chris Carlson, Ryan Ewing and Amir Nizam to its board of directors.
Early Diagnosis Jump-Starts Family’s Autism Journey
Audrey, a mother of twins, began noticing early indicators of autism in her son, Declan, when he started experiencing speech delays, unlike his twin brother. As time went on, she noticed when Declan was excited, he’d begin stimming, and compared to his brother, he experienced difficulty transitioning between activities. Concerned about these developments, Audrey scheduled […]
A Day in the Life: Jillian Schneider, Associate Clinical Manager
Hello, my name is Jillian Schneider, and I am currently an Associate Clinical Manager at SARRC. I began working at SARRC in October 2011, right after completing graduate school and started as an entry-level clinician doing home and community-based 1:1 services. What drew you to SARRC? My graduate program was a research program, and I […]