Newsletter – September 2025

It’s almost here! Dimensions™ 2025 Symposium news

Join us October 15–17 in Phoenix for Dimensions 2025, the 14th First Place Global Symposium. Hear from engaging speakers like First Place Global Associate Director of Applied Research Toyosi Adesoye, who will lead us through the latest on housing market analyses and how they continue to uncover the housing needs and preferences of adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities. Toyosi is one of many fearless innovators on this year’s powerful agenda. Explore it now and register here.

Newest symposium dimension: live networking!

When you register for Dimensions 2025, you’ll be tapped into a vast, engaged community of professionals, self-advocates and families—all working on behalf of individuals with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities. Zoom Events, a new presentation platform for our annual symposium, enables registrants to create a profile—and communicate to expand and energize their professional connections.

Long-awaited third edition of A Place in the World® is here!

When the First Place Global Leadership Institute first published A Place in the World® (APITW) in 2020, we provided the first-ever resource aimed at meeting housing and community needs and preferences of adults with autism and/or intellectual/ developmental disabilities. With the 2025 publishing of the third edition, APITW’s universal language has been expanded to include profound autism and underscores the importance of broader community solutions. Download the report here.

For developers already building affordable, market-rate or supportive housing, this overlooked population may prompt promising next moves. Check out the

latest blog co-authored by First Place AZ Founder & President/CEO Denise D. Resnik and Desiree Kameka Galloway, Director of Autism Housing Network, about 20 innovative properties featured in APITW designed to serve adults with autism and/or ​​intellectual​/developmental disabilities​.

Latest from the First Place Global Leadership Institute

With its ninth housing market analysis in five years, the First Place Global Leadership Institute presents a comprehensive study on the housing needs and preferences of adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities in the Greater Cincinnati area. Commissioned by EmpowerMe Living and made possible by a grant from Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Neuro-Inclusive Housing Market Analysis is the first to include representation of individuals with Down syndrome.

Picturing Inclusivity, an important and powerful film co-produced by First Place Global and Wild Asperagus Productions, has been selected by the U.K.’s Lived Experiences Film Festival for underrepresented communities. Congratulations, Stuart Neilson, John Schaffer and Laura Nadine. We applaud your gifts and extend our gratitude for your close ties to First Place.

First Place Senior Graphic Designer Alyssa Land and renowned photographer Scott Baxter recently reviewed a stunning series of photographs for an exciting new exhibition focused on the contributions of neurodivergent employees in the workplace. The exhibition will premiere during Dimensions 2025 in October in conjunction with a presentation on the First Place Be Ready℠ employment readiness program.

Lively community life in September: Clever Cooking, crafting and casting for next year’s musical!

The First Place–Phoenix teaching kitchen was full for this month’s collaborative meal with Chef Titina, who guided residents through creating fresh fish tacos with all the fixings.

Salt is great on popcorn and French fries. First Place–Phoenix residents recently discovered it’s pretty good on art, too. Check out the latest craft—salt paintings—they made this month in the First Place Space to Create. Just don’t expect pepper paintings anytime soon!

There was an enthusiastic show of interest during the first theater workshop of the season! Residents gathered with Kenya Thompson, student at ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts School of Music, Dance and Theatre, for some fun icebreakers—including games and creative activities—to start building the ensemble for next spring’s First Place–Phoenix musical. Stay tuned for details!

September “Days” combo

First Place–Phoenix has its share of readers who show up each month ready to chat up the latest book with our ever-popular Director of Support Jessica Luna. You could say it’s National Read a Book Day (Sept. 6) every day around here!

Residents took advantage of this year’s National Guacamole Day coincidentally coinciding with the always-popular Taco Tuesday.

Residents who respect, appreciate and care about each other make First Place–Phoenix a neighborly place! On National Good Neighbor Day, we’re saluting two of our good neighbors—Preston and Mickey—who enjoy participating in activities together. Happy National Good Neighbor Day to you and all our residents. You fill our community with smiles and laughter!

New executive director at the helm of Different Brains

First Place AZ congratulates Debbi Siegel on her appointment as executive director of Different Brains, a nonprofit that “supports, educates and celebrates neurodivergent individuals by fostering understanding and building a more inclusive world,” as noted on its website. Debbi follows in the footsteps of the late Dr. Harold “Hackie” Reitman, founder of Different Brains, who passed away in March—a great loss to our community of champions for the cause. Dr. Reitman’s son Asa, who has Asperger’s syndrome, inspired his life’s work.

“Hackie was an extraordinary force and early adopter supporting the vision of both SARRC and First Place,” said Denise D. Resnik, founder and president/CEO of First Place AZ/First Place Global. “A remarkable amplifier and connector, he encouraged and supported our every step.”

Different Brains and its dynamic team, along with the entire neurodiverse community, will greatly miss Hackie—and benefit from Debbi’s extensive personal experience and professional expertise.