Two decades after Diana Diaz-Harrison’s son, Sammy, was diagnosed with autism, they have shown that with the right support, students with autism can do amazing things. Since she founded Arizona Autism Charter School (AZACS) in 2014, it has grown to serve almost 900 students across four campuses in greater Phoenix. In fall 2023, it opened a campus for grades 6-12 in Tucson. School initiatives aim to improve educational and employment prospects for individuals with ASD. Its Post-Secondary Innovation and Entrepreneurial Career Education (PIECE) Academy provides career and vocational training for students ages 18 to 22 and will soon offer supported employment for young adults past age 22 in four businesses.

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