I remember having the “gut feeling” that something was different with Beckham when he was a year old. I immediately began researching, and gathering as much information as I could. Our pediatrician assured us that Beckham was just fine, and his delayed milestones were a result of being the youngest. At 15 months Beckham was diagnosed “at risk for autism” by the developmental specialist. I was given a packet of information, but still felt very lost. The packet that was given to me contained 1 page about SARRC and the jumpstart program. I knew we needed this intensive education and felt a sense of relief talking to the staff and enrolling. Jumpstart gave me the tools to advocate for Beckham, introduced me to ABA therapy, and helped me see how I could teach him to communicate while having fun and playing.  Beckham received his official diagnosis at 18 months, and even though I knew it was coming, it was hard. I remember going through the stages of grief and wondering what was next.  I am a NICU nurse, and advocate for little ones daily, yet I couldn’t seem to find the next steps for Beckham. I toured Tempe Community School shortly after completing jumpstart, as I knew Beckham needed so much more than I could provide.  We were looking for a school, but ended up finding a family. Sarrc's community school is a place of acceptance, positivity, and growth. Each staff member continuously goes above and beyond to give our children everything they can ensure they are successful.  Their job isn’t an easy one, but its apparent there’s no place else they’d rather be. Every morning, we are greeted with smiles, and as I leave every day, I know I am leaving Beckham with some of the most caring people I have ever known. They root for our kiddos with all they have, and they never give up.  The amount of progress I have seen in Beckham is unbelievable. When Beckham started school he had no words, was unable to communicate, and his play consisted of lining toys up.  Today, Beck doesn’t stop talking- he is thrilled to tell anyone that will listen what sound each animal makes. He communicates his needs, can follow directions (when he wants ), and constantly wants someone playing with him. Beckham, just like all our kids, is amazingly intelligent, and has such a beautiful way of seeing the world-it just took the right people in his corner to open that door. I can’t imagine life without SARRC and our incredible school.

Around the time Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) was founded, the incidence of an autism diagnosis was 1 in 500; today it is 1 in 36.