By Denise D. Resnik, Founder & President/CEO, First Place AZ/First Place Global; Co-Founder, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center; and Matt’s Mom We had packed it all: extra meds and…
By Denise D. Resnik, Founder & President/CEO, First Place® AZ We just closed a very big and long chapter of Matt’s history—and our own. Last week, we delivered more than…
dis·a·bil·i·ty /ˌdisəˈbilədē/ noun 1. A physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities. 2. A disadvantage or handicap, especially one imposed or recognized by the law….
Our grandson just turned one and with that came his first step. His Uncle Matt turns 31 today and with that comes a collection of his own memorable “firsts:” significant…
By Denise D. Resnik, Founder & President/CEO, First Place® AZ I’m sensitive. Always have been. As a kid, it caused me to carry too much weight on my shoulders, worrying…
By Denise D. Resnik & Maureen Casey Like autism spectrum disorder, the challenge of providing quality housing and community options for adults with autism and other neurodiversities is complex. We…
She was 80. I was 30 years younger. We bonded instantly as moms of adult sons with autism. Her heart forever touched my own as she shared her journey of…
“What age would you be if you didn’t know what age you were?” –Satchel Paige, American Baseball Player As I celebrate my birthday today, I’m inclined to reflect on my…
A big vision can be inspiring—and a magnet for like-minded pioneers on the same path. Consider a healthcare model where no one goes untreated or is medically misunderstood because of…
Have you ever dumped out one of those Lego kits to build something with your child? All those pieces seem overwhelming until you realize with relief that there are illustrations…
By Maureen Casey Encouraging and helping people with autism and other neurodiversities receive the COVID-19 vaccine is an important way we can more quickly return to our regular activities, including…
Fueling a new generation of housing and community options for people with autism and other neurodiversities is an experiment—a big one. While we all want successful outcomes, the variables are…
Ian McCoy, First Place Transition Academy graduate By Brent Jackson, First Place Resident and Transition Academy Graduate When asked what my first idea would be for a blog, it took…
I recently celebrated my two-year anniversary at First Place. During that time, I’ve watched the organization grow from an energized start-up to delivering on its vision as a global thought…
In A Different Key, the new documentary about autism, depicts what’s possible for people with autism living in Forest, Mississippi, Phoenix, Arizona and communities across the country. While we know…
Humor. It’s a powerful thing that can get us through all kinds of life events, cycles and seasons. My husband Rob and I recently celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary. Admittedly,…
After two years as a resident of First Place–Phoenix, Matt, who has autism, has learned how to live more independently—on his best days and even those that don’t go quite…
Oh, the frustrations of not being able to find the words to describe what you want, speaking without being understood and others not appreciating what you need. Through the years,…
To stay positive during these uncertain times, some of our residents and students at First Place–Phoenix are taking the time to reflect on the past, present and future. We hope…
Sydnee Schwartz, First Place Social Media Specialist & Photographer Emotion is an important part of digital storytelling. It is essential to telling the right story with the right amount of…
Zoom is compelling many of us to take a closer look. For me, it starts with my aging neck and the sun damage due to the naïve use in youth…
Our son Matt and I recently enjoyed a typical weekend of running errands. Our first stop was Supercuts, where we were warmly welcomed (Matt’s a regular). No explanation was needed…
What keeps you going? Not such an unfamiliar question, right? As my North Star, our son Matt, age 28, keeps me going, as do good health, a “keeper” husband of…
I admit it. I’m sensitive. So is our community. The words we use matter—a lot! During our fall Global Leadership Institute Symposium, I shared my definition of community: “It’s the…
(October 2019 Series, Blog #3) Muir Woods of Northern California. Amazing beauty. A natural wonder. A refuge for cherished time reflecting, contemplating—and being away from life’s many (electronic!) distractions. We…
