State’s 1st primary care medical clinic for autism opens in Phoenix
Arizona Autism Family Medicine is located on Arizona Autism Charter Schools’ Phoenix campus and part of a partnership between AZACS and Mercy Care. It will be operated by Valle del Sol
BY KYLIE WERNER
Aug 18, 2026, 2:55 PM
Follow on Google News
Watch:The Flock camera controversy: Public safety tool or privacy invasion? | 9 mins
Arizona’s first primary clinic designed to serve children and young adults with autism specifically opened in Phoenix last week
Arizona Autism Family Medicine: A Valle del Sol Clinic is located on Arizona Autism Charter Schools’ Phoenix campus, which is near 16th Street and Indian School Road, and part of a partnership between AZACS and Mercy Care
Co-founder and CEO Ron Harrison explained that AZACS and the clinic were envisioned by his wife, Diana Diaz-Harrison, to provide children with autism a specialized place to attend school and receive informed medical support
“The opening of Arizona Autism Family Medicine is a huge step toward ensuring autistic children and young adults in our community have convenient access to outstanding, specialized primary care,” Harrison said in a news release
The clinic, operated by Valle del Sol, provides more than 1,200 AZACS students and their families with easy access to care, but is also open to community members
“Every child deserves access to high quality, compassionate healthcare that meets them where they are,” Valle del Sol president and CEO Mike Renaud said. “This clinic is about removing barriers for families and creating a healthcare experience where children with autism and developmental differences can feel understood, supported and cared for.”
Arizona Autism Family Medicine was made possible by a 2025 Community Reinvestment Grant of $355,000 by Mercy Care and was distributed as part of Mercy C.A.R.E.S. community reinvestment program
The staff at the clinic are bilingual and trained to support patients across the autism spectrum, including those who experience co-occurring conditions like seizure disorders, gastrointestinal issues or anxiety. It also offers preventative care, health education, peer-support groups and wrap-around services
Additionally, the facility features a state-of-the-art sensory room and extended appointment times
“Arizona Autism Family Medicine will fill a critical gap in our community by providing integrated, compassionate medical and behavioral health tailored to the needs of children and young adults with autism,” Mercy Care Chief Administrative Officer Debbie Hillman Toll said.
