Northwest Autism Center

10/29/2025

🎄We’re kicking off our 7th Annual Giving Tree! 🎄

Each year, generous community members come together to brighten lives, one gift at a time. Once again you have the opportunity to ensure that individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across our region experience the joy of being remembered and celebrated during the holidays.🎁

Whether you pick a gift, donate online or help spread the word, your support makes the season brighter for so many.

✨ Get involved today: www.HolidayGivingTree.org

10/21/2025

Northwest Autism Center is proud to share the Vote Yes for Kids initiative, which supports essential funding for Spokane’s public schools and the programs that help children learn, grow, and succeed.

Strong schools mean stronger communities — and every vote makes a difference.

🗓️ Election Day: November 4, 2025
📮 Ballots due by: 8:00 PM on Election Day (drop boxes or mailed by this date)
📫 Didn’t get your ballot? Visit www.spokanecounty.org/elections
for help.

Let’s work together to ensure that every child has access to quality education and support services in our community.

In a few weeks, Spokane voters will decide on two ballot measures that would reshape the way we recreate, the way our kids learn and the way we think about

10/21/2025

There’s still time to register!
If you’re navigating the school system with a child who has intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), understanding their rights is one of the best ways to support them in their educational journey.

Join this free virtual session designed to help families better understand educational supports and learn practical ways to advocate effectively.

📅 Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Pacific)
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
💵 Cost: Free for families

Featured Speaker:
Sherry Mashburn, Assistant Program Director at PAVE’s PTI Center, brings decades of experience in special education and family advocacy.

Questions or accommodation requests?
📧 parenttoparent@arc-spokane.org

📞 509-789-8323

Virtual IEP & 504 Session Free Advocacy Training For Navigating Special Education October 30 | 2pm—3pm | Zoom Call Register Now! Advocate With ConfidenceNavigating school systems can be challenging—especially when supporting a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Underst...

10/07/2025

🪥 UW Study for Families!
The University of Washington is testing a new toothbrushing app for kids and teens (ages 10–17) with autism.
💳 Families can earn up to $420 in gift cards!
Learn more: https://bit.ly/brushupstudyform

📧 brushupstudyuw@uw.edu

08/28/2025

Northwest Autism Center is pleased to share an upcoming training opportunity hosted by Washington Autism Alliance (WAA).

Blueprints to Special Education (How to Build Effective School Services) is a comprehensive online workshop designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and advocates. The training provides a step-by-step framework for understanding how to use the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to secure appropriate and effective school services.

Event Details:
📅 Saturday, September 13, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM (PST)
💻 Online via Zoom

Topics Include:
• Core rights and protections under special education law
• How to build strong, individualized IEPs
• Strategies for effective school collaboration
• Practical guidance from special education attorneys and experts

This workshop is designed to support both families beginning their journey and those looking to strengthen their advocacy skills.

08/26/2025

Northwest Autism Center is excited to join community partners for the Disability Pop-Up—a monthly event designed to support caregivers of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs

Caregivers of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs (ages 0–18) are invited to connect with resources, get help with DDA benefits, and meet local organizations..

📅 Thursday, September 4 | 10 AM–1 PM
📍 AKIN, 2323 N Discovery Pl., Spokane Valley

08/21/2025

The 2025 Spokane County Interstate Fair will once again feature Sensory Day, with partners: Northwest Autism Center, The ISAAC Foundation, The Arc of Spokane, and Project ID. On September 9th, there will be craft-making, meet-and-greets with local sports mascots, and from 11AM to 5PM, carnival rides and games will operate with no sound and no lights, creating a calming and inclusive environment. You can find all of the sensory day details here.

Don’t miss the dedicated quiet zone in the Plaza Courtyard from 11am to 5pm, presented by The Arc of Spokane, where you can unwind and relax. Come and enjoy a day of fun, tailored to everyone’s needs!

💙 Special note for our Northwest Autism Center families: We’d love for you to stop by our booth during Sensory Day to say hello and connect with our team—we’ll have a special treat waiting just for you!

Discounted tickets are available online at www.ticketswest.com with code SCFSENSORYDAY25 in the search bar or at local businesses and events. See the full list here.

Onsite parking is $10, cash only. Carnival wristbands are sold separately from general admission tickets.

If you have any questions, please contact Info@nwautism.org or call 509-326-1582

08/13/2025

🎒 We’re at Backpacks for Kids today!
Come visit the Northwest Autism Center table—we’ve got stickers, candy, and lots of smiles ready for you. 😄🍬

📍 The Salvation Army – 223 E. Nora Ave., Spokane
🕘 9 AM – 4 PM

Stop by, say hi, and grab some goodies! 💙

08/12/2025

🎒 Join Northwest Autism Center tomorrow at Backpacks for Kids with The Salvation Army!

📅 Wednesday, August 13, 2025
🕘 9 AM – 4 PM
📍 223 E. Nora Ave., Spokane

Come grab a FREE backpack filled with school supplies (K–12, while supplies last) and check out the community resource fair. We’ll be there to share resources and connect with families—stop by and say hi!

Photo ID and proof of children in your household required.

07/07/2025

🎉We want to share our most heartfelt gratitude to Eli Cuevas and the Unsubscribe Podcast for selecting Northwest Autism Center to be one of seven recipients of this incredible donation, awarding us $10,000 to support the work we do.

Your support means so much to us and will make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the families we are honored to serve.🥰

07/07/2025

Great opportunity for athletes with IDD! Tryout registration here: https://bit.ly/SpokaneImpactTryouts2025

Introducing Spokane Impact! 🩵

We are thrilled to launch a new professional-level soccer team created for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This team is a part of Project Inspire, a nationwide league built in partnership with the United Soccer League, and was founded by our very own Spokane Velocity player, Nil Vinyals!

Spokane Impact will will be one of 4 teams competing in this new professional league. We are excited to represent an incredible movement that reflects inclusion, community, and the transformative power of sport! 👏

Interested in trying out or know someone who is? Tryouts will be held on July 15 and July 17th from 12pm to 2pm. Click the link in our bio to learn more and register!

07/02/2025

SENSORY SENSITIVITY SWIM CLASS!

Spokane Parks and Recreation, in cooperation with SPRD Aquatics TRS, is offering a pilot pool time designed for swimmers with sensory sensitivities. Each swimmer will be required to have an adult caregiver/parent to provide support as needed. The pool will be less crowded, whistles will not be used as frequently and swimmers can enjoy a zero depth entry, slides, and play structure.

WHERE: Meet at A.M. Cannon Aquatic Center, 1900 W. Mission Ave.
WHEN: Every Friday 7/11 – 8/1 | 12–12:45pm
COST: $40 per participant (class 18827), siblings can register for $10 (class 18228)

You can find the registration form here: https://bit.ly/COS_sensoryswim - Email the completed form to abusch@spokanecity.org.

To pay for this class, please go to www.spokaneparks.org and click on big green "Class Registration" button. Under filter, type in class number 18227 and proceed to payment.
Or you can call My 311 at (509) 755-2489 to pay over the phone.