Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) Advancing research and providing a lifetime of support for individuals with autism and their families

All stories, testimonials, and photography shared on SARRC’s official channels have informed consent. Material and experiences may not be reshared or reused without express permission.

This past weekend was filled with so much support, community, and fun! 🤩 On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Arizona Cardinals Fou...
02/24/2026

This past weekend was filled with so much support, community, and fun! 🤩 On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Arizona Cardinals Foundation hosted their inaugural Arizona Cardinals Climb, a fundraising event dedicated to supporting Arizona's special needs community.

Over $2 million was raised, thanks to the contribution of over 8,000 donors, 3,500+ participants, and 200+ teams! 🥳🎉🎉 A portion of these donations will go towards four local beneficiaries, including SARRC. An overwhelming thank you to the Arizona Cardinals Foundation and all those who contributed towards this astounding effort! 😍

If you weren't able to attend the Climb, but still want to make a difference and support individuals and families in Arizona living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), you can still donate until March 10. 💜 Make a gift today at: cardinalsclimb.com/teams/SARRC

SARRC’s Employment Services program focuses on supporting individuals in preparing for, obtaining, and retaining employm...
02/23/2026

SARRC’s Employment Services program focuses on supporting individuals in preparing for, obtaining, and retaining employment. This program also works with clients enrolled in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program offered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

Employment Services could be right for you if you:
✅ Have a desire to work
✅ Need help finding a job
✅ Are looking for assistance with interviewing and onboarding
✅ Have difficulty holding onto a job
✅ Would benefit from developing social skills in the workplace
✅ Are looking for on-the-job coaching

Learn more about SARRC's Employment Services program at autismcenter.org/employment-services.

02/22/2026

Be a part of the SARRC community! When you subscribe to our email list, you’re not just getting info — you’re joining a network of caregivers, researchers, professionals and supporters all working together 📧. Choose the content you want to see: Early intervention, special events, volunteering, or research – or all of the above! ✅ Sign up today at autismcenter.org/email-sign-up-form.

We are incredibly grateful to The Board of Visitors, for awarding SARRC a $35,000 grant in support of our JumpStart prog...
02/20/2026

We are incredibly grateful to The Board of Visitors, for awarding SARRC a $35,000 grant in support of our JumpStart program! 🥳🥳🥳 The Board of Visitors is Arizona’s oldest women’s charitable organization, which has raised funds for more than 100 years to support nonprofits serving the healthcare needs of women, children, and the elderly.

Through this generous funding, SARRC will expand access to critical autism services for families awaiting or who have recently received an autism diagnosis. This support also helps ensure JumpStart remains available to families at no cost.

Thank you to The Board of Visitors for strengthening access to early intervention services across Maricopa County and for their longstanding commitment to the autism community! 💜

Meet JoAnn Larkin and Carri Emery, the welcoming Administrative Assistants at our 18th St. campus! 🤩JoAnn and Carri are ...
02/20/2026

Meet JoAnn Larkin and Carri Emery, the welcoming Administrative Assistants at our 18th St. campus! 🤩

JoAnn and Carri are the friendly faces and welcoming voices of our 18th St. campus front desk, helping create a warm, supportive first encounter for everyone who walks through our doors 🚪✨. From greeting families and visitors to answering questions, supporting staff and keeping daily operations running smoothly, they play a vital role in keeping our campus connected and cared for from the moment you arrive 💜

Have a visit planned at our 18th St. campus? Be sure to say hello to JoAnn and Carri next time you stop by! 👋

⭐ Donor & Volunteer Appreciation Month Feature ⭐ OneAZ Credit Union has volunteered with SARRC for several years as part...
02/19/2026

⭐ Donor & Volunteer Appreciation Month Feature ⭐ OneAZ Credit Union has volunteered with SARRC for several years as part of its commitment to giving back to the community and supporting causes its associates are passionate about. Associates are drawn to SARRC’s mission and the important work that provides support to individuals with autism and their families, more specifically, hands-on projects that are later used by students in the classroom.

Volunteers from OneAZ value the opportunity to support an organization that provides meaningful resources and educational programming and are motivated to continue volunteering with SARRC because of the lasting difference it makes for individuals with autism and their families throughout the Phoenix community.

02/19/2026

This Saturday! 🤩 On Saturday, Feb. 21 at State Farm Stadium, join the Arizona Cardinals Foundation for the inaugural Arizona Cardinals Climb, where participants of all ages will hike trail-inspired routes throughout the stadium in support of the special needs community. Every step taken and every dollar raised helps local nonprofits — including SARRC! 💜

After the climb, participants receive exclusive access to the Cardinals Climb After Party presented by SeatGeek, featuring live performances by Switchfoot and Gavin DeGraw, plus a DJ and live entertainment throughout the afternoon. Enjoy food trucks, beverages, beer garden, explore interactive experiences and photo opportunities, and connect with community partners — all in a fun, relaxed atmosphere to celebrate your climb and our shared mission.

Register and join Team SARRC: https://cardinalsclimb.com/teams/SARRC

Registration is still open for SARRC’s Rally for Autism Pickleball Event! 🏓💥 Players of all skill levels are invited to ...
02/18/2026

Registration is still open for SARRC’s Rally for Autism Pickleball Event! 🏓💥

Players of all skill levels are invited to grab a paddle for a great cause. Not playing? Spectator tickets are available for just $25!

From a light breakfast to a catered Buffalo Wild Wings lunch, players will stay fueled throughout the tournament and enjoy a pre-filled drink card with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Teams will compete for grand prizes featuring memorable Phoenix experiences, exclusive products from area businesses, championship trophies and more 🏆! Every player will also receive a swag bag filled with fun take-home goodies.

Join the fun on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Center Court Pickleball Club (7000 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054)! ✅ Register today at autismcenter.org/RallyforAutism.

02/17/2026

Little steps 👣. Big milestones! 🤩🎉

SARRC’s Community School is a high-quality, inclusive preschool for children with and without autism as young as 15 months to 5 years old. We offer full-day care from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ⏰, with affordable tuition rates 💸, and minimal school-year breaks to provide families with consistent, dependable care 💪. We also offer rolling enrollment, so whether you're ready to start this spring or prefer to join us in the fall, we can work with your timeline 📆.

➡️ Schedule a tour or learn more at CommunitySchoolAZ.org. ⬅️ Note: availability may vary by location and classroom. Please contact our team for current openings and additional information.

02/16/2026

Class is in session! 👨‍🏫 Ma*****na (also known as cannabis) includes two components: 1️⃣ THC and 2️⃣ CBD.

CBD has no psychoactive properties while THC does. Too much THC can make people feel anxious, worried, or uneasy 😕. If there’s no THC, people might not feel anything at all 💭. Finding the right balance between THC and CBD could make people feel ready to take on the world 🌍👍.

When THC and CBD are used in the appropriate amounts, they can help solve a lot of problems, including potential anxiety reduction ✅.

We still need to continue the science, and more studies need to be done. ➡ That's why we're conducting the Ma*****na Anxiety Reduction (MARS) Study, which focuses on the potential of reducing anxiety in people with autism.

To learn more about the MARS Study, visit autismcenter.org/Research.

✨Sliding into your feed to wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day from SARRC! 💖💐
02/14/2026

✨Sliding into your feed to wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day from SARRC! 💖💐

Looking for social skills support for teens with autism? We are now accepting interest for our PEERS for Adolescents (ag...
02/13/2026

Looking for social skills support for teens with autism?

We are now accepting interest for our PEERS for Adolescents (ages 13–18) program at our Phoenix and Mesa campuses! This popular program offers weekly group sessions that include instruction, role-play and activities focused on building and maintaining friendships. Topics across the programs include conversational skills, joining activities, using humor, handling disagreements, managing reputation, navigating teasing or bullying, planning hangouts, conflict resolution, dating, and more.

Contact us at 602-606-9806 to learn more or visit autismcenter.org/PEERS

Address

300 N 18th Street
Phoenix, AZ
85006

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16023408717

Website

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About SARRC

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.