News

Networking, social relationships and community engagement: these are all important skills needed as we transition to adulthood or continue to expand our skills as adults. This is why SARRC is introducing CORE, or Community Outreach Relationships and Engagement, a new program developed by SARRC's team to increase community integration, enhance community relationships and provide adults with autism the support necessary to obtain and maintain meaningful relationships with their communities and peers.  

Save the date for Friday, Sept. 24 where all 10 Press Coffee Vally locations will be donating 100% of proceeds to SARRC! 

"We are passionate about supporting our community. That’s why we started the Press on Charities initiative in 2018 to make a larger impact on our communities," said Kevin Dykyj,  Digital Marketing Manager for Press Coffee. "Each year we designate one day for our Day of Giving where we donate 100% of profits to a local nonprofit."

No proof or mention of SARRC is necessary, it's as simple as making a purchase in one of their locations or online.

SARRC is pleased to introduce the newly revamped mobile app: Think Autism®. Formerly Think Asperger’s, the new and improved app offers a variety of helpful and informative autism resources. Developed for parents, educators, and medical professionals, Think Autism includes a rapid screening tool designed for children ages 8-13 and offers resources in all 50 states.

Hello! My name is Maddie Theis and I am one of the clinical supervisors in the Comprehensive Behavioral Program (CBP) here at SARRC. I started working at SARRC in 2017. Prior to officially joining the SARRC team, I was a behavior therapist intern in CBP in 2016 as part of my Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) master’s program. Following completion of my master’s program, I joined the SARRC team full-time as a senior behavior therapist and now work as a clinical supervisor. 

What drew you to SARRC? Why did you want to work here?

SARRC is retiring its partnership with Autism Speaks' annual walk event and introducing “YES Day for Autism™”—a new, free event focused on raising funds, awareness and acceptance! 

Communities across Arizona are invited and encouraged to join the event: families, friends, partners, and the community at large who are driven by a desire to create more supportive, inclusive communities for people with autism.

Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen and SARRC are teaming up to raise funds for autism programs, services, and research with a “Chip in for Autism” chocolate chip cookie give-back program. For every chocolate chip cookie sold, we will donate $1 to support SARRC programs for Arizonans with autism. Picazzo’s “Chip in for Autism” fundraising partnership with SARRC officially kicks off on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, Wednesday, August 4.

SARRC’s clinical model is grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with a particular focus on naturalistic behavioral interventions in inclusive environments, including but not limited to: in the home, in school, on the job or in the community. Each of SARRC’s therapeutic programs, classes and trainings are guided by best practice models; the most currently available science; increasing independence and producing meaningful outcomes; and the individualized needs of the children, teens, adults with autism and families we serve.

By Shreyas Hallur

"Why did you become a Peer Mentor?” When I was asked this question during my CommunityWorks® orientation at SARRC, I remember replying with a vague response. Truthfully, I had only applied to this program because my history teacher had recommended it to me. I knew very little about autism, and given my inexperience, I questioned whether I would fit in as a peer mentor.

Thanks to the Gila River Indian Community, we are offering full scholarship opportunities (up to $2,250) for some of our most popular parent training programs! This opportunity is offered to parents and caregivers with a child (up to 12 years old) who has been diagnosed with autism and lives in remote or rural areas of Arizona.*

Scholarships are available now and SARRC is offering both in-person and telehealth program models.

Eligible programs include:

Lindsay Palson’s journey to an autism diagnosis happened a little later in life compared to many of her peers in SARRC’s Employment Services program. The Mesa woman already had eight years of U.S. Air Force service under her belt, as well as several college courses, yet she struggled with a constant lingering feeling that something in her life just wasn’t clicking.

“I remember a few years ago someone mentioning to me about displaying something that was an autistic trait. They quickly brushed it off, saying ‘oh no, someone would have caught that by now,’” Palson recalls.