As we approach the end of Autism Awareness/Acceptance month, I am honored to bring you a conversation with one of the true heroes of the autism community. When I took that quiz in 2014 which awakened me to the truth of Brady’s autism, it was the organization Denise co-founded, the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, which provided the screener. After her two-year old son Matt was diagnosed with autism, Denise was told to “love, accept, and plan to institutionalize” him. She refused to accept that kind of future for Matt, and so began her lifelong advocacy for those on the spectrum. She was inspired to start SARRC in 1997 with another mother and their developmental pediatrician, to “provide better answers and more reliable, comprehensive support for families impacted by autism.” That organization has grown to provide community schools, skills training, and other supports for those with autism at any age. Denise’s vision for SARRC went far beyond the needs of parents immediately after a diagnosis. She envisioned a life-long model of support, inclusion, and dignity for everyone on the spectrum. In 2012, she formed a sister non-profit, First Place AZ, which is an independent-living, residential real estate project for those with autism and other neurodiversity. In addition to residential locations, and a civic movement called Vote the Spectrum, the Denise founded the Global Leadership Institute, which provides research, public policy recommendations, and indepence-enabling ideas to governments, employers, educational institutions and medical professionals. If you are in Phoenix and get a chance to visit First Place AZ, I highly recommend it. I know Denise’s passion will inspire you, and bring you so much hope for the future of those with autism. So without further ado, let’s jump in to today’s KIND word. Learn more about First Place AZ at https://firstplaceaz.org/, and the Global Leadership Institute at https://firstplaceglobal.org/ Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available now in hard cover, paperback, and ebook! Visit Amazon to purchase your copies HERE, and don’t forget to leave a review when you’re done!  Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by my amazing son, Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter. Connect with Kari on Instagram @kariabaker Connect with Kari on Facebook @kariabaker Connect with Kari on LinkedIn @kariabaker Visit www.kariabaker.com and www.kindfamilies.com for more content! Subscribe HERE!