What We Do

Resources for Families

• Parent/Caregiver Support Groups held in person in various areas of the Valley. Dads Support Group is held online.
• Support groups for Autistic adults, run by Autistic adults.
• Let’s Connect Events, social outings for three age groups (children, teens/ young adults, and adults). 
• Autism 101, a FREE online class held monthly for newly diagnosed or new to Arizona families. Learn how to navigate the systems of care in Arizona.
• Transition 101, a FREE online class held monthly to assist families as they transition into adulthood.
• Safety 101, a FREE online class focusing on educating families on keeping your loved one safe across all stages of life.
• Rural Advocacy Training is part of our mission. We travel all over Arizona giving training on how to access all services for families affected by autism. We target outlying areas that are lacking in support and information. 
• BE SAFE Interactive Screenings train people with disabilities including children, teens and adults on the spectrum how to be safe with law enforcement. We work with law enforcement to provide education on autism and we work with law enforcement and the autism community to build a bridge of communication and form strong community connections. We have conducted over 30 free BE SAFE Interactive Screenings and held two BE SAFE Certification Courses with the creator of BE SAFE.
• Advocacy for families who are struggling to get into Medicaid and DDD. We advocate on behalf of our community to improve systems of care.
• Public awareness and outreach is part of our mission. We speak to a variety of groups including schools, medical professionals, teachers and children so that they better understand Autism and children and adults with Autism. We educate hundreds of people a year.
• Social activities for families including family picnics, Sensitive Santa Events, sporting events, and AMC Theater Sensory Friendly Films monthly across the valley.
• Educational opportunities for families including workshops and our annual conference where over 250 people attend each day.
• Revamped website to provide more resources for services, providers, treatments and advocacy including access to video webinars for our members.

Awareness

• Thousands of Autism Awareness brochures distributed to pediatricians, therapists and schools across the valley.
• Distributed Autism Awareness brochures at a variety of events around the valley including the Zoo Walk for Autism, Yes Day for Autism, etc.
• “Children Suffering in Silence” documentary developed and distributed by Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.
• “Autism Insurance” and “Medical Care” CD created and distributed by Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.

Outreach and Training

• Training for over 200 professionals including teachers and therapists at conferences and workshops.
• Autism Society of Greater Phoenix participated in several IEP Partner Trainings.
• Trainings for community groups, including; 2 Pow Wow Cub Scout Trainings, Girl Scouts of America, Jack and Jill of America, Arizona State University Teacher Prep Class training and 2 Charter school trainings which resulted in the education of over 200 professionals and dozens of children.
• Training over 1000 people with our BE SAFE Program

Advocacy and Government Relations

• Participated in the Governor’s Council on ASD. Our President was appointed to the committee and served on the committee and two work groups.
• Assisted parents in navigating the Department of Developmental Disabilities, AHCCCS and Long Term Care systems from enrollment to preparing for the Fair Hearing process.
• Champion state and federal legislation that will benefit children and adults with autism, in collaboration with the Arizona Autism Coalition.
• Assisted hundreds of parents in navigating the special educational system and provided referrals to local advocates when intense assistance was needed.
• Created Fair Hearing Files to assist families with the process. The files included potential exhibits for the fair hearing as well as potential responses to motions filed by the DDD. Templates for letters of medical necessity were created to assist pediatrician’s document medical necessity for autism therapies for their clients. Templates were created for the courtroom process (i.e.: opening arguments, closing arguments, cross examination, etc.).
• Participated in the creation of the White paper for Arizona Academy of Pediatrics, informing pediatricians in Arizona on the co-morbid conditions of Autism.
• Helped pass legislation that formed the Seclusion and Restraint Task Force.
• Held candlelight vigil on capitol lawn in support of Steven’s Law.
• Participated in several DDD/AHCCCS/DES Autism work groups.
• Worked with PCH on Autism Neuro Institute family council.
• Part of Arizona Autism Coalition insurance work group.
• Expanded the Silver Alert to include individuals with a disability of any age.