28 MAY 2023 By Jennifer Marshall Phoenix resident Lisa Masters became a mom in 1997. Two years later, her son was diagnosed with autism. A few years after that, she had a second son – who is also on the autism spectrum. As her sons approached adulthood, Masters found support services lacking for adults with developmental disabilities. So, she took the situation into her own hands and founded Autism Life and Living (ALL) in 2021. ALL helps fill the gap on services and support for young adults on the spectrum. “I started to plan for what would become of them when I was no longer able to care for them,” Masters said. “I was extremely concerned to find a significant gap in support services and independent living options that were safe, supported and affordable in Arizona. That is when I decided I had to do something, not only for my boys but for the many who are voiceless and choiceless.” Masters found that her sons were constantly on waiting lists to receive speech therapy, occupational therapy and rehabilitation services, sometimes for months. “Early intervention is critical with an autism diagnosis, so precious time and progress was lost sitting on these lists. As the prevalence increased, the support services started to catch up to the need. I found myself back in the same place I was in 1999, facing a gap in support services for individuals 18 and older,” Masters said. ALL’s goal is to provide services and housing options for young adults and make provisions for who will care for them when their caregivers can no longer do so. “I’m responsible for my boys’ well-being even when I am no longer here,” Masters said, “and that is a heavy load for a parent to carry, as it is not a question of if they will if they will if need support and housing, but when . It is especially heavy when you are tasked with creating a solution to the support service and housing crisis these individuals face.” ALL offers several programs, including its signature Social Circle. Members plan and host monthly events where autistic young adults can socialize and learn new activities. They also offer Support Services, where the program director sets families up with organizations that provide speech, occupational and physical therapy, day programs, employment training, habilitation and more. Another popular event is their Health & Wellness Program, featuring classes that teach physical fitness, nutrition, hygiene and social/emotional skills. “Just because an individual turns 18 does not mean they are no longer capable of learning skills taught when they’re younger,” Masters said. “It’s the opposite, actually. They can learn skills promoting independence and well-being, affording them a purposeful life and self- directed choices.” In the future, ALL’s goal is to build an independent living community that will be a safe and affordable home base for all of their activities and programs. autismlifeandliving.org One mom’s drive to help adult children with autism Autism Life and Living’s founder, Lisa Masters, with her sons Andrew (left) and Brandon. PHOTO: DENNIS MURPHY art one gallery | foundation Representing students and local artists of Arizona since 1993 480.946.5076 . 4130 n marshall way . scottsdale . artonegalleryinc.com . @artonegalleryinc Desert Runner II by Lorenzo Stirk • acrylic on canvas • 48” x 60” x 1.5” • $1200 602.399.8540 debbiefrazelle.com dfrazelle@cox.net PAST P AST P ARCADIA PTO VP T O VP T PAST P AST P H AST H AST OP H OP H I OP I OP P I P I TA PRESIDENT P RESIDENT P ARCADIA RESIDENT FO F O F R O R O OVER OV ER OV 30 ER 30 ER YEARS Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Agents Debbie Frazelle | CLHMS | ABR I have 7 different buyers looking for homes in Arcadia Lite, Arcadia, Biltmore or Camelback Corridor. Now is the time to sell! Please give me a call, text, or email. I can make the transaction easy for you. got houses?