Atty's Place A Neurodiverse Universe
Providing an out of this world experience that enables every child to shine bright in a galaxy full of stars.
Welcome to Atty's Place
Our Philosophy
Atty's Place, we understand the vital role that participation in recreational activity has on social and emotional development. This is especially true for the members of our community with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Here at Atty's Place, we encourage creativity, exploration, and learning through safe, fun play; and we strive to foster a lifelong love of learning by providing an atmosphere of innovative design to meet the unique sensory needs of our neurodivergent space explorers.
Who We Are
Atty's Place is a family-owned, innovative recreation center designed for individuals with autism. It was founded in 2024, after we, the Southwick-Kaiser family, grew tired of the perpetual difficulty identifying opportunities for social interaction that would be appropriate for our son Atticus' sensory needs, that would allow his siblings to also attend with him, and would be affordable enough for us to bring the entire family! Our son Atticus was the first to be diagnosed with autism before his 3rd birthday in 2021. Megan was the next to receive her diagnosis while she was working as a marriage family therapist. What began as a journey learning how to raise a child on the spectrum, later evolved into a journey of discovery as she realized she was learning about her own life experiences. Berlin was diagnosed with ADHD in 5th grade and received her autism diagnosis two years later in 2023. Gavin was diagnosed with autism as a freshman in 2023. Trevor was not diagnosed with ADHD until he was 26. He received his autism diagnosis in March 2024 at 31 years old while working in the nonprofit sector managing an outdoor campground for people experiencing homelessness in Downtown Phoenix. While the positions Trevor and Megan held prior were incredibly important, they both knew in their hearts they had been called to build this dream for all of the families with children like Atticus that never had a place designed with them in mind. On March 3rd, 2024, Trevor impulsively started the process by purchasing the web domain as a first step towards making this dream come true...
AbouT Us
Mission
Our mission is to provide a safe and inclusive sensory play environment for individuals with autism, where they can explore, learn, and thrive. We are committed to creating a welcoming space that promotes sensory engagement, social interaction, and personal growth. Our family-owned facility is dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and their families, and we strive to foster a sense of community and understanding. Through innovative programs, compassionate staff, and tailored experiences, we aim to enhance the lives of those we serve and promote acceptance and inclusivity for all.
Vision
Our vision is to be a leading provider of sensory play experiences for individuals with autism, setting the standard for excellence in inclusive and supportive programming. We envision a future where our family-owned facility is recognized as a beacon of hope and empowerment for the autism community, inspiring positive change and fostering a sense of belonging. Through continuous innovation, collaboration with experts, and a deep commitment to understanding the unique needs of individuals with autism, we aspire to create a world where every individual feels valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are. Our positive change, driving awareness, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals with autism and their families.
Values
- Striving for Growth
- Embracing Change
- Welcoming All Differences
- Incorporating the Spirit of Innovation in All We Do
- Building Community in the Communities We Operate
Our Staff
Atty's Place is comprised of experts in a wide range of helping disciplines including social work, marriage family therapy, and education. Our team are experienced professionals committed to creating unforgettable memories for all our participants. Each staff member completes a comprehensive training program on competency areas including autism and sensory sensitivity and awareness that is centered around providing the best explorative experience for you and your loved ones.
Our Credentials
Our team has a combined professional experience of over 40 years in human services across disciplines including social work, marriage family therapy, program design, grant writing, policy advocacy, and special education. We are a group of compassionate professionals whose lives are fortunate enough to have been touched by someone(s) with autism. Between our professional and lived experiences, we are committed to changing lives by bringing them together. We are currently in the process of completing IBCCES certification to be a Certified Autism Center.
What We Need
We need you to never give up. We know how firsthand that many unique challenges that come from raising kids that are different. We also know what it's like growing up in this world undiagnosed and the pitfalls of not having the tools and services we needed to be successful at those key developmental years. At Atty's Place, we WELCOME different. We opened our doors with the unique differences of others in mind. Our hope is that Atty's Place creates a space that brings joy and happiness to each and every person that travels into our galaxy. Thank you so much for believing in us. Each and every one of you are THE reason why we made this dream come true.