Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)

06/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our Research Open House and Developmental Screening Event last Saturday, June 13! Our research team had so much fun talking with families, giving tours, offering free developmental screenings, and tie-dyeing research t-shirts 💜

Stay tuned for updates on our next screening event in the near future!

06/18/2026

Now accepting interest for SARRC's most popular teens and young adults programs!

▪ CommunityWorks: Gives teens (ages 13-18) hands-on volunteer experiences throughout the Greater Phoenix area while developing job readiness, communication and social skills. ➡ Now enrolling for Sept. 24 – Dec. 17 session!

▪ PEERS for Young Adults: Helps young adults (ages 18+) strengthen friendship and social skills through weekly group sessions, role-play activities and parent-supported learning. ➡ Now enrolling at our Mesa campus (Aug. 19 – Nov. 18 session) & accepting interest at our Phoenix campus (Sept. 15 – Dec. 15 session)!

▪ PEERS for Adolescents: For teens (ages 13-18) interested in making and keeping friends. Teens will learn through instruction, role-play with coaching, and group-based activities. Parents will attend a parent-group session that complements and directly supports their teen’s learning. ➡ Now accepting interest at our Phoenix campus (Sept. 1-Dec. 1 session)!

Learn more about program dates, enrollment, and campus availability at autismcenter.org/teen-adult-services.

06/17/2026

✨Volunteer Appreciation✨ A huge thank you to the incredible team at DHL for partnering with SARRC to support our Community School students last month!

Their team generously helped create engagement kits for our young learners, providing thoughtful tools and resources that help students feel supported, comfortable and empowered throughout their day. From start to finish, their kindness, energy, and dedication made such a meaningful impact on our SARRC community.

We are so grateful for volunteers who give their time to help create inclusive and supportive experiences for our students. Thank you, DHL, for making a difference!

06/16/2026

🔎 Study Spotlight: STALICLA Study

We are currently enrolling individuals with autism, ages 12 to 65, who have a diagnosis of macrocephaly OR can provide documented head circumference data taken at any point after birth and before 24 months of age. This study aims to identify unique characteristics in individuals with autism through laboratory testing that potentially may lead to a more personalized approach to medicine.

Learn more at autismcenter.org/research.

06/15/2026

Limited spots available for our free Employment Bootcamp on Wednesday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to noon!

SARRC’s Employment Bootcamp is a free, in-person workshop for autistic individuals (ages 16+) interested in kick-starting their journey to employment. An instructor will lead the group through dynamic instruction, examples, and opportunities for participation, including:
✅ Guidance on drafting a modern resume
✅ Rehearsing a self-pitch
✅ Participating in a mock interview
✅ Walking away with employment resources

Location:
SARRC’s Phoenix Campus: 300 N 18th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006

To register, visit bit.ly/EmployBootcampJune24.

SARRC's Employment Bootcamp is a quick-paced and active workshop for autistic individuals ages 16 and older.

06/13/2026

Did you know you give back to SARRC on your grocery run? 🍎 By enrolling in Fry's Food Stores Community Rewards program, you can give back by choosing SARRC as your selected charity.

Sign up in 3 easy steps:
🛒 ⁠Visit fryscommunityrewards.com
🥦 Search for "Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center"
🍇 Enroll!

It only takes a few minutes to enroll and have a great impact 🙌

06/12/2026

Tucson! Keep an eye out for our newly installed banner at our upcoming campus! 🎉

Progress is underway and we are so excited to expand to Tucson early 2027. But did you know we are currently offering these two core programs to Tucson residents?

💜 AIM ABA: Services brought directly to you and are designed to support the unique needs of individuals with autism and their families. Learn more at autismcenter.org/AIM-ABA.

💜 JumpStart: A six-week parent empowerment program that provides an introduction to autism for families with children ages 18 months-7 years old. Learn more at autismcenter.org/JumpStart.

To learn more about Tucson services, contact SARRC’s Family Resource Team at 602-606-9806 or [email protected].

06/12/2026

Did you know SARRC operates a preschool program — and it’s not just for children with autism? Our inclusive preschool program welcomes children with and without autism in a blended classroom setting designed to help every child grow, learn and thrive together!

Why families love the Community School:
🍎 4:1 student-to-teacher ratios
🍎Small class sizes
🍎Highly trained staff
🍎Play-based curriculum
🍎All-day care options

Now enrolling for the upcoming school year across our Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale and Mesa campuses for children ages 15 months to 5 years old! Learn more at CommunitySchoolAZ.org 🚌

06/11/2026

New Study Opportunity: Behavioral Determinants of Health (BDOH) Study

We are currently enrolling participants with a diagnosis of ASD in a questionnaire-based study to learn more about the behaviors, experiences and daily habits that shape health and well-being for autistic individuals.

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:
▪ Are an adult with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis
▪ Are a parent of an individual with an ASD diagnosis
▪ Currently live in Arizona

This study involves a brief screening phone call and approximately 15 minutes to complete a single online questionnaire. Participants will receive $30 compensation for completing the questionnaire.

To learn more, contact Andrew Wachtel at 480.351.0534 or [email protected], or visit autismcenter.org/research.

06/10/2026

Thank you to Acuity Media Network for speaking with Daniel Openden, SARRC's President and CEO, about Arizona's current Medicaid ABA market and how SARRC does things differently, including:

🔹 Inclusive preschools where children with autism learn from and alongside children who are typically developing — because social skills develop through contact with social experts, not peers who share the same diagnosis
🔹 Pivotal Response Treatment built around each child's own motivations, not a standardized curriculum
🔹 36 BCBAs, most trained in-house through funded master's degrees
🔹 Adult services including a two-year residential transition program and an 86% competitive employment placement rate
🔹 A payer mix weighted toward commercial insurance — a deliberate choice that insulated SARRC from the managed care pressure that hit peers hard
🔹 A goal to reach every Arizonan by 2030, with a sixth campus planned for central Tucson in early 2027

Read the full article below.

Discover how Phoenix non-profit SARRC scales its inclusive preschool, Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), and adult autism programs despite massive state MCO cuts.