SARRC summer camp partnerships

Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC) offers many different camp partnerships for kids with autism. The camps offer inclusive programs and are a great way for kids with autism to participate in activities from swimming to theater.

One in 31 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by their 8th birthday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Tuesday. The finding, based on an analysis of medical records from 2022, reflects a dramatic rise in autism over the past two decades. Previous CDC reports showed 1 in 54 eight-year-olds had been diagnosed with autism in 2016. In 2000, it was 1 in 150.

Danny Openden, President and CEO of Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, joined “Arizona Horizon” to talk about the summer camps.

What is SARRC?

“SARRC is the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center. We’re a nonprofit organization founded in 1997, and a big vision of what we want the world to look like: People with autism meaningfully integrated into inclusive communities,” said Openden.

“It’s an important time of year, stressful time for families, kids with autism. School is out, where do I go? While there are camps for kids with autism, we take a slightly different approach,” said Openden.

Their camp activities include performances with songs and dances, and “our job is to get our kids included in that,” said Openden.

Phoenix Theater Camp

“This is one of our longest partnerships. The Phoenix Theater does a great camp where kids come in and by the end of the week, they’re putting on a full play for parents and everything in between, and our job, we provide the training for the councilors, the directors, for the other summer campers, but we stand away and they take over from there, and Phoenix Theater has gotten so good at this. They advertise their camp not just for typical kids, but kids with autism as well. They have the training to make this inclusive for everyone,” said Openden.