News

SARRC's Annual Community Breakfast was given a makeover for 2020 allowing nearly 1,200 guests to attend the 22nd annual event virtually. 

The event, which was themed “Here for You,” recognized the ongoing efforts SARRC has been making to ensure that the necessary support continues for clients and families through the coronavirus pandemic. The 25-minute virtual event, which debuted on Thursday, May 21, featured personal stories from families, clients, and community leaders who shared their experiences from home.  

For the Miller family, homework was “one of the most stressful things we had to do as a family,” explains mom Priyanka.

For their son Aden, who was has autism spectrum disorder, homework was a non-preferred task, especially with newer, harder concepts. It was something he had a tough time overcoming—and that was just one situation their family struggled with. There were other behaviors and situations, including negative self-talk, that were difficult, both for Aden and his family.

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) and VirTra, a global provider of training simulators for law enforcement, military, educational and commercial markets, have teamed up to develop comprehensive training for law enforcement officers. This training will be used to help officers bridge the communication gap and interact more effectively, and positively, with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

We are in unprecedented times, but that doesn’t mean you can’t navigate this new territory and make it the best for you and your family. Our Children’s Services Director, Rachel Anderson, shares effective ways to establish a new routine and stay motivated as we practice social distancing.  Here are a few tips that you may find helpful as you establish new routines and schedules!

Thanks to our supportive community, SARRC has been able to increase its impact in Arizona, and in some instances, across the U.S. every year. Below, read about some of the notable highlights from across SARRC's programs, services and research departments in 2019.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its new biennial data from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM) on the prevalence of autism in the U.S. The network identified 1 in 54 children as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD), representing a 10% increase from previous estimates. 

When Allyson Perreault’s son received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at age 4, she remembers being completely overwhelmed.

“I didn’t know where to begin,” recalls Allyson of her son, Myles. “He had been in a developmental preschool and was testing behind on everything.” 

The developmental pediatrician who diagnosed him gave Allyson and her husband, Michael, a packet of information and resources. One of the resources included SARRC and its JumpStart® program, a parent empowerment program for families/caregivers with a recently diagnosed child. 

Story by 12 News

PHOENIX-Local researchers say girls with autism are going undiagnosed and it's a problem because early intervention is critical. A Valley family knows first-hand the struggles as they tried to get their young daughter the assistance she needs.

[WATCH: Researchers: Girls and autism]