Autism campaign for Autism Acceptance Month

The Autism Society of Southern Arizona Launches the All in for Autism Campaign in April

The Autism Society of Southern Arizona (ASSA) is releasing an All in for Autism campaign for Autism Acceptance Month in April of 2022 that involves the City of Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and community programs that make a difference in the lives of local families living with autism.

ASSA is creating an All in for Autism video campaign that highlights how our community is paving the way for autism acceptance. This campaign features thought leaders, businesses, employers, programs, and families that are involved in the autism community. Tagline Media Group will disseminate the video as a digital media campaign across multiple online channels during Autism Acceptance Month in April. The video will be presented on Saturday, April 2nd at ASSA’s All in for Autism drive-in movie fundraising event at Cactus Carpool Cinema celebrating World Autism Acceptance Day. There will be 100 tickets on sale for this family drive-in movie event that will include food trucks and fun activities for attendees. The drive in lot opens at 6 pm, the All in for Autism video will screen prior to the movie showing.

People and organizations featured in this video series will include:
● The City of Tucson, Mayor Regina Romero
● Pima County Superintendent of Schools, Dustin Williams
● Children’s Museum of Tucson & Oro Valley
● Playformance Gym
● ACEing for Autism Tennis Program at the Jewish Community Center
● We Rock the Spectrum
● U of A Cooperative Extension Family Engagement Program
● Banner University Health Plans
● Premiere Retirement Planning & Wealth Advisers
● Helping Hands Behavior Therapy
● Absolute HCBS
● Workability
● Intermountain Academy’s Sensory Playground

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.

According to the most recent information published by the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), ASD now affects 1 in 40 children in Arizona. With no known cure, early detection and interventions are essential to help children with autism and their families get the help they need. Findings from the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (ADDSP) help us to understand more about the number of children with ASD, the characteristics of those children, and the age at which they are first evaluated and diagnosed.

The Autism Society is the leading voice and resource for the entire autism community in education, advocacy, services, and support. Our mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the autism community with the resources needed to live fully.

We are proud to have Banner University Health Plans on board as the Sustaining Partner and Premiere Retirement and Wealth Management as our Title Sponsor.

“Banner University Health Plans is proud to be a Sustaining Supporter of the Autism Society of Southern Arizona this year,” said Sarah Spiekermeier, Banner University Health Plans Chief Operations Officer.
“As a result of our partnership with the Autism Society, we have served more individuals affected by autism. At B– UHP, we are a member champion and a collaborative partner that sets the bar for care and coverage with a mission to make health care easier so life can be better. This is what ASSA does for families in need,” Spiekermeier continued.

“ASSA and B – UHP share the same values by collaborating with members, families, peers, providers, and community agencies to provide resources, education, training, and programs based on best practices to serve Arizona’s children and families.”

ASSA is honored to have the support of multiple community sponsors such as Banner University Health Plans, Premiere Wealth Advisors, Ascend Behavior Partners, Helping Hands Behavior Therapy, Absolute HCBS, Intermountain Centers, Hughes Federal Credit Union, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center, the Pima County Superintendent’s Office, and Arizona Lotus Corporation.

“We continue to lend our support as a Title Sponsor to the Autism Society as they meet the needs of the local community. My youngest daughter, Megan, has autism, and I know how vital it is to receive the necessary next step information and resources,” said Jeff P. Vogan, RFC, CEP, President/CEO of Premiere Retirement Planning & Wealth Management.

“When a child is diagnosed with autism, it affects the entire family. I know the Autism Society of Southern Arizona is striving to help families connect to programs and therapies that will improve family outcomes. As a local business owner, it is my privilege to provide support to a cause that is near to my heart.”

“As many individuals and families living with autism know, acceptance is often one of the biggest barriers to finding and developing a strong support system. It is vital to understand the importance of fostering acceptance to lead to improved supports and to achieve equity in education, employment, housing, health care and comprehensive long-term services.” said Brie Seward, Executive Director of ASSA.

“Individuals with autism are able to achieve independence and live purposeful lives when provided the support system and opportunities that each and every one of us deserves,” Seward says.

“If you are a business owner, consider hiring an autistic adult giving them meaningful opportunities to participate in society. If you see a child struggling to communicate in public, lend a hand to that parent, and create a culture of compassion. Be a friend or a kind neighbor and watch as you begin to open the door to autism acceptance right where you are.”

The All in For Autism video series will be showcased at the drive-in movie event, ASSA YouTube channel, and available on as-az.org during April for Autism Acceptance Month. Tickets to the event will be available on as-az.org until they are sold out.

This video presents an opportunity to provide a current-day dynamic picture of what it means to be affected by autism in Southern Arizona today.

About Autism Society of Southern Arizona

The Autism Society’s mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. ASSA envisions a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it – including education, advocacy efforts, and supports and services throughout the lifespan for more information, go to www.as- az.org, Facebook and Instagram.