Providing a variety of treatment services and resources for individuals and families in the region, Northwest Autism Center works to support those with autism and other developmental disabilities.
“We continue to do what we did on day one, which is provide a lot of family navigation support,” says founder Dawn Sidell. “Accessing systems, knowing which systems are available, to provide resources and support is incredibly important in this journey, and we have dedicated staff to respond to family questions and needs in that area.”
The nonprofit was founded in 2003, and today offers various treatment services such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), speech therapy and occupational therapy, primarily for children with autism but additionally to children with other developmental disabilities.
“Speech and occupational therapy and ABA are also available to children who do not have a diagnosis of autism, but do have perhaps some other related developmental disability that requires those treatment services as prescribed by a physician,” Sidell says. “The Applied Behavioral Analysis is both an evidence- and research-based practice for providing therapy to children with autism and other related developmental disabilities and has shown much success in helping with skill acquisition and self-regulation.”
Northwest Autism Center’s Early Intensive Day Treatment Program serves younger children with autism or developmental disabilities, using a lot of play-based strategies to help prepare them for school environments.
Two years ago, the organization launched the Skills & Recreation Center, which offers specialized and adaptive recreational activities for those with autism or developmental disabilities, such as board game nights, baking or crafting classes, movie nights, and more for those of all ages.
“Autism — the definition of it and the criterion for making the diagnosis of it — has evolved and expanded tremendously over the years, and that impacts our language around it, and it impacts how we think about what to bring forward to be helpful and supportive, and that is an ongoing conversation,” says Sidell. “I think that Northwest Autism Center is a pretty critical part of that conversation both here and across the state.” Donations help support the Center’s community-based services including free autism screenings.
More to Check Out
SPOKANE AIDS NETWORK
Spokane Aids Network (SAN) was founded in 1985 by a group of citizens concerned by the increase in deaths from HIV and AIDS in the ’80s, and today the work they began continues providing HIV education and services. SAN provides peer navigation and support, emergency services for people living with HIV, testing services, and has a food pantry as well. Executive Director Grant Ogren says that while there are now ways to treat and prevent HIV, there could still be mo
re education around the topic to further prevent it. “[HIV is] something that people just think is gone,” Ogren says. “That’s not coming clear to everyone that it does still exist and it is still a public health issue.” SAN will have a booth at the Spokane Pride Parade on June 14 and will hold its annual Red Dress Party fundraiser this fall. For more information on SAN and to get involved, visit their website or social media.
STIX DIABETES CAMP
STIX Diabetes Programs is an organization that works to support children and families affected by diabetes in the Spokane area by providing community support and education. Their STIX Diabetes Camp is a weeklong summer camp for children with diabetes, where kids get to participate in a variety of games and activities like capture the flag, a dance, talent show, camp fires, arts and crafts, and more. Camp STIX was started in 2000, and the acronym STIX stands for Support, Tradition, Information and X-citement, encompassing the organization’s mission. For more information on the nonprofit or to sign up for the camp, visit their website.
MANZANITA HOUSE
Working to fill in gaps in services for immigrants in Eastern Washington, Manzanita House provides resources and creates a sense of community for immigrants in the region. The organization is named after manzanita trees, which are known for being very resilient through harsh circumstances like drought and wildfires. The nonprofit’s Manzanita Immigrant Legal Aid (MILA) offers civil legal services; its family empowerment program provides education and other resources for families; and the community engagement program offers a variety of outreach events, celebrations and volunteer opportunities. Manzanita also offers youth language classes and women’s empowerment services. To volunteer, donate or learn more about Manzanita House, visit their website.
