For more information about SARRC’s Mesa campus, visit autismcenter.org or call 602-606-9806
By Daniel Openden, P.h.D., BCBA-D | Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
Mesa is setting a national standard for welcoming and supporting people of all abilities. As the first Autism-Certified City in the U.S., Mesa has shown that creating a community where everyone can thrive takes intention, commitment and action.
That’s why it is fitting that the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center has chosen Mesa for its newest campus — marking a major step forward in ensuring that individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families have access to the supports they need.
For nearly three decades, SARRC has been at the forefront of autism research, education and community support in Arizona. Since our founding in 1997, we’ve expanded from a single location to a statewide force, dedicated to providing a lifetime of services for individuals with autism while advancing innovative research.
With SARRC’s new Kathryn G. Bosco Campus now open at Power and McKellips Roads, we are making good on its ambitious 2030 Strategic Plan: to become a statewide organization that puts effective services within reach of every Arizonan.
The need for this expansion is undeniable. A significant percentage of people in our communities have autism or a connection to someone who does. In Arizona, 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with ASD — a rate that has nearly doubled since 2014. While advancements in awareness and early detection have improved outcomes, too many families still struggle to find the resources they need.
To address this need, SARRC’s new campus in Mesa will launch a range of innovative programs, including:
• SARRC’s fourth Community School, an innovative preschool that blends high-quality early education with specialized programming for children with autism. The school’s small class sizes, 4:1 student-teacher ratio, and play-based curriculum foster an engaging social environment where all students—both neurotypical and those with autism—can develop essential social, emotional, and academic skills in preparation for kindergarten.
• Community-based programming for children, teens and adults, with additional services set to launch throughout the year.
We look forward to creating new opportunities for individuals with autism and their families to access the supports they need.
This moment isn’t just about celebrating a new campus — it’s about recognizing that when every person has the support they need to live independently and joyfully, the entire community benefits. We strengthen our economy, create more opportunities and foster stronger connections among neighbors. We build the kind of place anyone would be proud to call home.
Editor’s note: Daniel Openden, P.h.D., BCBA-D is president and CEO of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, a nonprofit serving individuals with autism and their families via locations in Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
