Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)
Advancing research and providing a lifetime of support for individuals with autism and their families
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03/12/2026
Join us for our March Grandparents Support Group! Our next session will be held Friday, March 20 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at SARRC’s 18th St. Campus (300 N 18th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006).
Hear from this month's speaker, Megan Mann, Associate Clinical Services Manager & Focused Intervention Programs at SARRC. Megan is also a Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst. Her clinical experience focuses on inclusion, dissemination of applied behavior analysis, and caregiver training for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). With over 19 years of experience in clinical practice. Megan currently provides services within the community.
When Gavin first walked into Community School, he had few words and even fewer ways to express his needs. Frustration often led to tears, and his parents wondered what the future might hold. In SARRC's inclusive classroom filled with compassion and individualized support, Gavin began to find his voice — one word at a time.
“Within a year, we were getting several words out of him,” Gavin's mom Jennifer says. “He was able to tell me what he wanted and tell me what was wrong. That was huge. A lot of the reason he would cry and get frustrated was because he couldn’t tell us.”
What followed was more than communication growth; it was confidence, connection and a friendship that continues today. His journey is a powerful reminder that when hope is paired with the right support, children truly blossom ⭐.
➡️ Read the full story below!
When Gavin Snoke was 18 months old, his parents began to worry. He wasn’t speaking yet. Instead, he communicated through grunts, pointing and tears. At his wellness check, their pediatrician […]
03/10/2026
Now enrolling for both our PEERS for Adolescents (ages 13–18) and PEERS for Young Adults (ages 18+) programs at our Mesa campus! These popular programs offer weekly group sessions that include instruction, role-play and activities focused on building and maintaining social skills.
Participants can look forward to learning about:
✅ Conversational skills
✅ Dating
✅ Conflict resolution & handling disagreements
✅ Joining activities & planning hangouts
✅ Navigating teasing or bullying
✅ and more!
Contact us at 602-606-9806 to learn more or visit autismcenter.org/Peers.
PEERS® is an evidence-based social skills training program that coaches individuals with autism spectrum disorder on how to make and keep friends, handle conflict, and develop relationships. SARRC offers PEERS […]
03/10/2026
Their first step towards kindergarten starts here at SARRC’s Community School. 🤩📚
Built for every learner, Community School is a high-quality preschool for children ages 15 months to 5 years with and without autism that supports social, emotional, and academic growth.
Bonus offer: Our $175 enrollment fee is waived now through the end of our current school year (June 2026)! Learn more at CommunitySchoolAZ.org!
03/10/2026
Save the date for SARRC’s Annual Community Breakfast on Friday, May 1! 🎉
This year’s theme, ✨Hope Happens Here✨, celebrates the everyday moments of progress, possibility, and impact made possible by our community. Join us for an uplifting morning as we come together to highlight how your support fuels innovative programs, services, and research — helping build a more inclusive future for individuals with autism and their families.
Registration is now open! Learn more or save your seat at SARRCbreakfast.org.
03/09/2026
If you are a teen or adult with autism, or a parent or guardian exploring employment options, join SARRC for a free online Employment Services Orientation! 🙌 Hosted by a member of SARRC’s Teen and Adult Services team, this virtual session provides an overview of how SARRC supports individuals in developing career skills, finding meaningful employment, and achieving long-term workplace success.
Participants will learn more about:
✅ SARRC’s Employment Services and how they support individual career goals
✅ Funding options and eligibility for the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program offered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security
✅ The process for enrolling in Employment Services and what to expect from the program
✅ The variety of ways SARRC partners with employers and community organizations to create inclusive work opportunities
Our next session is Monday, March 16 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. via Zoom. ➡️ Sign up at bit.ly/EmployOrientation2026.
03/07/2026
SARRC held its first Rally for Autism Pickleball Event on Saturday, Feb. 28. With 24 teams and 80 participants and spectators in attendance, the energy on the courts was incredible. Because of you, we raised $31,000 — funds that will directly support autistic children, teens, adults and families who rely on SARRC’s programs and services! 🥳
To everyone who was part of our inaugural Rally for Autism, thank you! We’re truly grateful for the time, energy and support you shared to help make this event a success. A special thank you to the SARRC NextGen team for their partnership and hard work in bringing this event to life, along with our incredible sponsors:
Happy Employee Appreciation Day to all of our amazing staff members at SARRC! 🤩🎉 This is only a small handful of people who work each day to provide a lifetime of support and care for individuals with autism and their families. Thank you to every one of our employees for your dedication, passion, and brilliance. Our community thrives because of you 🥰
03/05/2026
Being a parent doesn't come with a manual. But these SARRC parent empowerment programs come pretty close 💪✨. If you're looking for education, personalized coaching and support as you navigate your child's autism journey, these programs are a great place to start!
💛 Milestones (for infants 6-18 months)
Whether you are a first-time parent of an infant or you have an infant with an older sibling who has autism, SARRC’s Milestones program provides parents of infants with helpful information to make the first year and a half of your infant’s life a supported experience.
💜 JumpStart (for children 18 months - 7 years)
SARRC's six-week JumpStart program supports families who are newly diagnosed with autism, providing expert coaching from a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst, essential information, and effective strategies. Offered in person or remotely.
💙 Parent Training (for children ages 2-12)
Working alongside a dedicated coach, parents will set meaningful goals and learn effective strategies to support your child’s communication, social, play, and daily living skills—right in their everyday routines. Offered via telehealth.
💚 Second Gear (for children ages 4-10)
This 8-week program provides expert guidance, personalized coaching, and practical strategies to help support your child’s development, reduce challenging behaviors at home and build more effective coping and communication skills. Offered in person or remotely.
To learn more, visit autismcenter.org/childrens-services.
03/03/2026
We had a wonderful time at our Annual Community Breakfast Kick-Off last week! Nearly 60 dedicated Table Captains joined us to help launch our 28th annual event happening on Friday, May 1 — and the momentum is building.
This year’s theme, ✨Hope Happens Here✨, reminds us that hope is built in everyday moments through progress, possibility and the power of community.
Want to help us build hope? Become a Table Captain! By hosting a table, Captains connect us with community members who are passionate about autism, help us increase awareness and educate our community. 💜 Learn more or register your seat at SARRCBreakfast.org.
03/02/2026
If you are a parent of a newly diagnosed child; have recently relocated to Arizona, or you are a family making life transitions, consider joining SARRC for our online Family Orientation session on Monday, March 16. Family Orientation is a free informational webinar that provides information and support to families at any point in their autism journey! 🤗
Depending on your age group, participants will learn about:
📌 Autism spectrum disorder
📌 Intervention options
📌 How to access vital services through state and insurance funding
📌 Programs SARRC offers, and age-related topics for each age group (i.e.: navigating IEPs, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, employment and post-high school options, an autism diagnosis as a family)
Our next session is Monday, March 16. Sessions are divided into three age groups:
1️⃣: Young Child (up to age 5)
2️⃣: School-Age Child (ages 6-12)
3️⃣: Teens and Adults (ages 13+)
Sign up for your age group at
Online Family Orientation If you are a parent of a newly diagnosed child, have recently relocated to Arizona, or are a family making life transitions, consider joining SARRC for an […]
02/28/2026
On February 18, one of our dearest friends, supporters and champions turned 90: The incomparable Kathy Bosco 🙌. For more than 20 years, Kathy has touched the lives of hundreds through her dedication to SARRC and the autism community. She founded SARRC’s cherished Grandparents Support Group 24 years ago, creating a space of guidance, compassion and connection for countless families. Kathy’s commitment and kindness are woven into the very fabric of SARRC, and we are endlessly grateful for her presence in our community. Happy birthday, Kathy! 🥳
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Established in 1997, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to autism research, education, evidence-based treatment, and community outreach. We are one of the only autism organizations in the world that provides a lifetime of services for individuals and their families while also conducting cutting edge research.
We're also an entrepreneurial nonprofit, with less than three percent of annual revenue coming from state and federal funding. Our 18,000-square-foot Campus for Exceptional Children and our 10,000-square-foot Colonel Harland D. Sanders Center for Autism Studies, co-located with our Vocational & Life Skills Academy, are state-of-the-art clinical centers that serve as models for similar research and resource facilities.
OUR MISSION
To advance research and provide a lifetime of support for individuals with autism and their families.
OUR RESEARCH
SARRC's Research Department is focused on three initiatives: (1) improve early detection of ASD, (2) improve treatments for ASD, both behaviorally and pharmaceutically, and (3) educate various professional communities to improve their capacity to serve individuals with ASD.
SARRC is among the most robust sites in the United States for recruiting subjects for molecular / genetic, pharmaceutical, and clinical research trials. While not officially affiliated with any university medical center, we foster active collaborative research projects with organizations such as Translational Genomics, Inc., Arizona State University, Barrow Neurological Institute, University of California San Diego, Georgia Institute of Technology, and private industry partners.
