SARRC is delivering hope to our family and countless others
Three years ago, our second child was diagnosed on the autism spectrum and our journey with the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center began. It’s hard to put into words the impact that SARRC has had on our family. When our son was about 18 months old, we felt like we were losing him. He lost the few words that he had and his behavior became more and more erratic. He was no longer looking up when we walked into the room, and he was more interested in running in circles than connecting with his family. Right before his second birthday, we received an autism diagnosis and while it provided some answers, it opened up many more questions… and fears. Fears of whether our joyful, twinkly eyed, gentle souled boy would ever have the opportunity to share his feelings, build meaningful relationships, or realize his dreams.
Today, three years later after having gone through nearly every SARRC program available including Jumpstart, Community School, and individualized services totaling about 30 hours of therapy a week, our son has surpassed all of our expectations. He is articulate, compassionate, funny, and loves being around people. He loves to play board games with anyone, play with his siblings and friends and make them laugh, draw family portraits, play soccer, count down the days until he turns 5, and do his pre-school “homework” so he can be more like his big sister. In the fall, he will enter Maryvale Prep Academy as a mainstream Kindergarten student, just like his sister did. While we know that he will need to navigate his unique challenges throughout his life and he will likely need some continued level of support, we expect that he will be able to lead a largely “typical” life, with friends and dreams realized.
In 2016, we welcomed our third child into the world, another baby boy. As a boy and a younger sibling to an older brother with autism, we know that his chances of also getting an autism diagnosis are very high - 1 in 4. Again, we turned to SARRC and enrolled this time, our 8 month-old, in their Milestones program for infants, which thanks to generous donors in our community, is provided for free. Through the Milestones program, our baby has been provided with weekly one on one sessions to bolster his social and communication skills. We have also received tailored parent training to put him on the best path possible. Research shows that intervention prior to the age of 2 has the best chance of reducing or reversing any symptoms of autism. This type of early intervention is still on the cutting edge of treatments developing nationally and is not offered in many places. My husband and I can hardly believe we are fortunate enough to have this amazing program in our backyard! Whether or not our baby boy ultimately receives a diagnosis remains to be seen, but regardless, we have the assurance of knowing that we have given him the best possible start. And for parents, that is everything.
Autism is one of the most common disorders facing the school-aged population today, with students who of course, go on to become adults who studies show are perfectly capable, but vastly underemployed due to a deficit in social communication and life skills. As education and child advocates, my husband Mac and I believe that every single child who faces these challenges deserves to get the high quality early intervention that our two sons have received in order to succeed in school and in life. As educators, we have both seen what happens in school when children don’t receive this support – instead of developing the self-esteem and confidence they need to thrive, they become frustrated, isolated, and often lash out. Families with lower incomes or in remote areas are even less likely to access the services they need. Potential and dreams are lost, devastating children and the people who love them.
That’s why this year, I joined SARRC’s board of directors. SARRC has been for our family, a gift from God, an answer to prayers, a way forward when there was no way. For both our sons, we see the same future as the one we see for our “typical” daughter: a future of rich learning, possibility, friendship, and love. I hope to build the community that sees this same future for ALL children, and works together to make it happen.
We’ll have an opportunity to support SARRC and grow its impact as the upcoming annual breakfast approaches on April 26th at 7:30am at the Arizona Biltmore. This year’s breakfast theme is With You, We Can and this event never fails to inspire and educate. My husband and I hope to see you there!
About SARRC’s Annual Community Breakfast:
SARRC’s Community Breakfast is widely recognized as one of the most powerful programs on the Arizona charity calendar. You will join some 1,700 community leaders, learn the latest news about autism—the nation’s most prevalent developmental disorder, affecting 1 in 68 children nationally and 1 in 66 in Arizona—and about local programs that are helping individuals with autism and their families. There is no cost to attend this fundraising event as it is underwritten by sponsors.
About SARRC:
The Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is an internationally recognized nonprofit that conducts innovative research, provides evidence-based practices, disseminates effective training and builds inclusive communities for individuals with autism and their families.