Inclusion and more

Advocacy A is for advocacy. Self-advocacy is defined as advocating for one's self.  Advocacy is valuable as it helps people find their voices. When I was new to the Transition Academy, I had a hard time advocating for myself as I did not know how my thoughts would be received. These days I advocate for myself often.  B Community Dinners   C is for community dinners. Students at the First Place Transition Academy organize community dinners for them and their supportive neighbors. We've cooked pasta, pizza and grilled burgers.  Denise Resnik D is for Denise Resnik, our fearless leader. Denise started SARRC and First Place to ensure people like her son Matt can live independent lives. These days SARRC impacts tens of thousands of people. A true testimony of this the SARRC community breakfast was SOLD OUT last year.  Employmen...

Do you know someone with autism? It could be a friend, family member and co-worker. Autism affects 1 in 68 people. Autism can be spotted in different ways. It's called the Autism Spectrum.  Every person might show signs of having autism differently.    My name is Lindsey Eaton.  I have autism and it doesn't define me. I was diagnosed with autism when I was fifteen years old. I struggled to develop friendships with my peers, deal with change and accept constructive feedback.  My parents took me to a developmental pediatrician named Daniel Kessler. He officially diagnosed me with autism.  I heard about the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center through Denise Resnik when I was a student at Chaparral High School. I immediately signed up for Autism CommunityWorks, classes about employment and  and financial awareness. For two years, I raised over $1,000 for SARRC. Last year...