The Athreya Family connected with SARRC in 2012 after moving from Chicago to Arizona and researching resources to support their son, Rahul. Since then, their family’s experiences have shaped their commitment to autism research, resources and advocacy.
Throughout his life, Rahul has navigated challenges with communication, motor skills and social interactions, often compounded by judgment, bullying, and others’ lack of understanding. Through both complex and rewarding experiences, his parents, Sailesh and Rekha, have watched him transform interests that others might overlook into remarkable accomplishments.
From performing with the Phoenix Youth Symphony for four years to competing in professional speed-cubing competitions, Rahul has consistently demonstrated his strengths, determination and drive. His longstanding passion for technology and cybersecurity led him to build AutoBug.AI, an AI-based cybersecurity startup that he developed largely on his own. Now, 25, Rahul has accepted a job with Space X AI and will be moving to Memphis, marking a significant milestone in his story of navigating independence as an autistic young adult.
Rahul’s journey has also shaped the perspective of his younger sister, Diya. Growing up with an autistic brother has influenced her understanding of autism and its impact on families. Inspired by her personal connection to autism, Diya hopes to become a genetic engineer and study the science behind conditions such as autism and Down syndrome.
Rekha recalls a statement from SARRC President and CEO Daniel Openden that particularly resonated with her, “Autism is an individual diagnosis, but it shapes the experiences of an entire family.” For the Athreya family, this perspective reflects how autism shapes each family member’s experiences in different ways.
Through raising Rahul and watching him grow into adulthood, the Athreya family has seen what is possible when individuals receive meaningful support and opportunities to develop their strengths.
“As parents of an autistic young adult, we experience the challenges of autism every day,” Rekha shares. “But we also see what is possible when someone’s strengths are recognized, nurtured and given room to grow. That is what inspires us to support autism.”
The family remains deeply involved in SARRC’s community, proudly supporting events such as YES Day Walk for Autism and the SARRC Community Breakfast. Rekha also serves on SARRC’s Board of Directors, and the family is proud to be part of the SARRC MVP community.
“SARRC’s mission resonates so deeply with us. We see in SARRC an organization pursuing these same goals, but at a much larger scale: helping create a world where individuals with autism are understood, supported, and given the opportunity to realize their potential,” Rekha says.
Beyond their involvement with SARRC, the Athreyas are committed to giving back to their community. Rekha, Vice President of Marketing Operations at Desert Financial Credit Union, and her husband, Dr. Sailesh Athreya, an aerospace leader in product management and strategy, enjoy volunteering with Feed My Starving Children. Rahul has also volunteered with United Sound, an organization that uses music to remove barriers and foster social change.
Through their involvement with SARRC and the broader community, the Athreya family hopes to expand understanding, strengthen support for families and help create opportunities for autistic individuals to pursue meaningful lives of their own.
Interested in making a difference as a SARRC Multiyear Visionary Partner? Learn more here.
