What We Do

We are here to help YOU!

Everything that we do can be found under the OUR EVENTS tab at the top menu of our website.

We offer:

• Autistic Adult Support including support groups and social meet ups. In person and online options are available.
• Parent and Caregiver Support including support groups, including a group for Dads and a group held in Spanish, and night outs. In person and online options are available. 
• 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. Also available on demand in English and Spanish.
• Transition 101, a FREE online class held monthly to assist families as they transition into adulthood. Also available on demand in English and Spanish.
• Safety 101, a FREE online class held quarterly, focusing on educating families on keeping your loved one safe across all stages of life. Also available on demand in English and Spanish.
• Let’s Connect Social Events provide opportunities for networking and building connections and friendships. Events and locations vary. We do our best to rotate the Valley to encourage attendees to explore new adventures and areas. Events may be for specific age groups or all ages.
• LEGO Club promotes building creations, sparking creativity and friendships. Open to all ages.
• Virtual Game Night for teens ages 12-19 years old. Play with us on the Nintendo Switch and chat via Discord.
• The Outsiders Club is a perfect way to build friendship while enjoying the great outdoors! Events vary type and location, from hiking, walking to taking part in various charity or community events. Open to all ages.
• Community Outreach is part of our mission. We travel all over Arizona and we attend many community events to spread Autism awareness, acceptance and inclusion. We target outlying areas that are lacking in support and information. 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 in person and online.
• Join our Birthday Club to let us celebrate you during your birth month. Card recipients must have a diagnosis of Autism and must reside in Arizona. Our Birthday Club is open to Autistic individuals of any age!
• BE SAFE Interactive Screenings train people with disabilities including children, teens and adults on the spectrum how to interact safely 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 40 free BE SAFE Interactive Screenings and held three BE SAFE Certification Courses with the creator of BE SAFE.
• Annual Pool Parties Come enjoy a day by the pool at this private event. Open to all ages. 
• Sensitive Santa is a favorite holiday tradition! This event provides a supportive environment eliminating long lines, bright lights and loud noises that can trigger sensory sensitivities. We provide many activities and access to community resources while attendees wait their turn to see Santa. It is a day full of magical holiday memories.
• Our Sensory Friendly Job Fairs help individuals seek employment in a supportive manner while they engage with employers willing and excited to hire them. Presentations and community resources are available during this time.
• Browse our T-Shirt Shop to find your next favorite shirt or tumbler! All proceeds directly benefit our programs!
• Advocacy is very important to us. We advocate on behalf of the disability community to improve systems of care. We belong to many groups and work with our community partners to help ensure a better future for all.
• Information and referral support. Our team provides support in English and Spanish to all ages via phone and email and our Facebook support groups.
• Our website is designed with you in mind! It aims to connect you to resources, services, providers, treatments, webinars, schools and anything else you can imagine! We understand that often times the easiest time to research is after work, at the end of the day, when kids are asleep for the night and/or when many places are closed for the day. Our website is here to give you support 24/7. 
• Be sure to visit our Calendar of Events to see what events are coming up!
• We have so many monthly events and fun social opportunities throughout the year. Sign up for our bimonthly newsletter to stay informed!

Awareness

• We have distributed thousands of materials distributed to pediatricians, community centers, therapists and schools across the state.
• We distribute materials at a variety of events around the valley including the ZooWalk for Autism Research, Yes Day for Autism, the Autism Expo, resource and transition fairs and more.
• Distributed hundreds of community sensory tool kits, including some which were in stadium approved bags, to help individuals with sensory sensitivities engage within their community.
• Distributed hundreds of vaccination tool kits to pediatricians to help make doctors visits less stressful for individuals with sensory sensitivities. 
• Distributed hundreds of sensory toolkits to Law Enforcement Officers to utilize in the field when interacting with individuals with sensory sensitivities. 
• We consult with local businesses to discuss how they can make their business more inclusive and sensory friendly.
• Our flyers are available on our website to help create connections; making it easy for you to download and share!

Outreach and Training

• We have trained hundreds of professionals including educators and therapists at conferences and workshops.
• We work with our community partners to provide meaningful trainings on a variety of topics to our community.
• Trainings for community groups, including; Pow Wow Cub Scout Trainings, Girl Scouts of America, Jack and Jill of America, Arizona State University Teacher Prep Class training, churches and more.
• Training over 1000 people with our BE SAFE Program

Advocacy and Government Relations

• Participated in the Governor’s Council on ASD. Our Director of Advocacy 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 Autistic individuals of all ages and the disability community, 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.
• 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 the Capitol lawn in support of Steven’s Law.
• Participated in several DDD/AHCCCS/DES Autism work groups.
• Worked with Phoenix Children’s Hospital 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.
• Actively participate in Mental Day at the Capitol.
• Participated in the planning and discussion that led to Arizona implementing the Blue Envelope Program through the Arizona Department of Transportation.
• Participated in the efforts to help pass legislation regarding Universal Changing Stations.
• Participate in various Disability Roundtables and host Autism Roundtables with Community Partners.
• Partner with the VA and Luke Air Force Base to assist veterans and families.