Denise Resnik: Leading the Way through the Maze of Autism

By Kevin Madness
Photo by Paul Markow
Autism is defined as a developmental disorder characterized by debilitated social interaction, verbal impairment, repetitive behavior, and limited interests. It is also a condition shrouded in mystery. No one knows what causes it. Treatments are varied and debatable, and the path to a cure is unclear.

The labor involved with caring for an autistic child and the stress of not understanding the disorder often leaves parents desperate for help. Denise Resnik has been there. When her son, Matthew, was diagnosed with autism in 1993, she looked to the community and clinics for help and found none.

“There was a void in terms of resources, support, and hope,” Resnik says.

Instead of surrendering to hopelessness and relegating Matthew’s future to institutionalization, Resnik joined up with Dr. Cindy Schneider and Dr. Raun Melmed to found the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC). The aim of the organization is to advance treatment and enhance the quality of life for people with autism spectrum disorders. Since its inception in 1997, SARRC has raised over $35 million.

“My work with SARRC also provides me with greater hope for our son’s future,” says Resnik, who currently serves as development chair and vocational and life skills academy chair. “I’m confident that the programs in place and those currently underway will help care for him when my husband and I are no longer able to do so.”

Autism is a complicated condition that requires a multifaceted approach to treatment. SARRC’s varied care includes clinical programs that use evidence-based therapies and educational programs that train schools to support the needs of autistic students. The organization also established the Opus West Vocational and Life Skills Academy to equip autistic individuals with living skills and supported employment. SARRC also sponsors research that joins methods and studies to better understand the possible causes of autism, develop better treatments, and eventually find a cure. The organization has proven to be very useful to the region; last year’s program and research enrollment exceeded 10,000 people.

Although SARRC has grown immensely since its inception, Resnik hasn’t let it cast a shadow over her duties as president of her strategic marketing and public relations firm. They have actually grown to complement each other quite well.

“There are many ways in which running and operating my own firm has been beneficial to me in supporting SARRC,” Resnik says. “It’s about layering resources, networks and sound marketing, and communications practices, enabling us to build the SARRC brand.”

On top of her sizable work commitments, Resnik has found time to serve as a board member for the Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation for over ten years. The ranch serves as a retreat for special needs children to interact with nature and animals. Resnik says that bonds made at the camp are spiritual and provide healing energy.

In recognition of her success as a businesswoman and value as a community member, Resnik is being named Woman of the Year by the Valley Leadership Organization. Rhonda Bannard, who nominated Resnik for the award, states that “Denise’s passion for serving both her clients and her community draws you to her. She’s made a lasting imprint with her work at SARRC, TGen (Translational Genomics Research Institute), and more, and we are all the beneficiaries. Denise is a Valley treasure.”

The 60^th annual Valley Leadership Man and Woman of the Year Awards Luncheon will honor Resnik on April 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Arizona Biltmore. Seats for the event are available through Valley Leadership.

In her years since being a young mother dealing with the life-changing challenges of autism, Denise’s work has helped many families. When she accepts the award, there will surely be some thankful parents there to congratulate her.

To learn more about autism, visit SARRC’s Web site at autismcenter.org.