Lewis County Autism Coalition

10/09/2026

In partnership with the Developmental Disabilities Administration, the Haring Center for Inclusive Education Project ECHO Network is offering a Project ECHO series on strategies to prevent and respond to challenging behaviors for parents and caregivers of young children ages 0-5 with disabilities and challenging behavior. This series is free for parents to participate.

This series will occur weekly on Zoom on Tuesdays from 10-11am starting November 10, 2026 to March 9, 2027.

To register, scan the QR code.
Please share within your communities. Thank you!

Cornerstone Center For Development The Lewis County Foster Parent Association Reliable Enterprises Summit Center for Child Development South Sound Parent to Parent

10/08/2026

M.A.P. Forward Episode 2: What Should We Know About Autism?

Have you ever heard the word autism and felt your heart drop, not because you do not know your child, but because you do not yet know what it means?

In Episode 2, co-hosts Kristal I. Vega Carrasquillo and Dr. Aliza R. Quinlan, PhD slow down to explore autism clearly, respectfully, and without fear. They explain what autism is, how it shows up in daily life, and why it is best understood as a neurodevelopmental difference to support rather than a problem to fix.

In this episode:
✅ Developmental milestones as guideposts, not deadlines
✅ Sensory processing, communication differences, stimming, and executive functioning
✅ How to talk with your healthcare provider about what you are noticing
✅ Screening, evaluation, and early intervention through Washington's Family, Infant, and Toddler program
✅ Levels of support, not levels of worth
✅ Cultural considerations for Latino and bilingual families, including Entendiendo El Autismo
✅ A guided mindfulness moment for caregivers

📅 Premieres Friday, October 9 at 8:00 AM, alongside Episode 1
▶️ Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/

10/07/2026

The wait is almost over! Come watch the official M.A.P. Forward intro!

We’re excited to share the first look at M.A.P. Forward: Meaningful Autism Perspectives, the official podcast of the Lewis County Autism Coalition, produced in partnership with Rural Behavioral Connections.

This show was made for our community: the families, caregivers, educators, and providers across rural and bilingual Southwest Washington who show up for autistic children every day. Every episode pairs a real family story with a professional perspective and ends with three practical tools you can use that week.

▶️ Watch the intro now: https://youtu.be/CSfyrHCI6-o

Your hosts are Kristal I. Vega Carrasquillo and Dr. Aliza Quinlan. The original theme, “Puzzles,” was composed by Christopher Takashi Yasumura.

📅 Episodes 1 and 2 premiere Friday, October 9 at 8:00 AM.

Here’s how you can help us launch strong:
👍 Like the video
🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications
💬 Leave a comment and tell us what topics you’d like us to cover
🔁 Share it with a family, teacher, or provider who needs it

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We can’t wait to have you listening.

📧 [email protected] | 🌐 lcautism.org



¡La espera casi termina! Les invitamos a ver la introducción oficial de M.A.P. Forward

Con mucha alegría les compartimos el primer vistazo de M.A.P. Forward: Meaningful Autism Perspectives, el podcast oficial de Lewis County Autism Coalition, producido en colaboración con Rural Behavioral Connections.

Creamos este programa para nuestra comunidad: las familias, cuidadores, educadores y profesionales de las comunidades rurales y bilingües del suroeste de Washington que apoyan a niños autistas todos los días. Cada episodio une la historia real de una familia con la perspectiva de un profesional, y termina con tres herramientas prácticas que pueden usar esa misma semana.

▶️ Vean la introducción aquí: https://youtu.be/CSfyrHCI6-o

Sus anfitrionas son Kristal I. Vega Carrasquillo y la Dra. Aliza Quinlan. El tema musical original, “Puzzles,” fue compuesto por Christopher Takashi Yasumura.

📅 Los episodios 1 y 2 se estrenan el viernes 9 de octubre a las 8:00 AM.

Así pueden ayudarnos en este lanzamiento:
👍 Denle “me gusta” al video
🔔 Suscríbanse y activen las notificaciones
💬 Déjennos un comentario con los temas que les gustaría escuchar
🔁 Compártanlo con una familia, maestro o profesional que lo necesite

Gracias por acompañarnos en este camino. ¡Les esperamos!

📧 [email protected] | 🌐 lcautism.org

M.A.P. Forward is the official podcast of the Lewis County Autism C...

10/07/2026

M.A.P. Forward Episode 1: Series Launch

Our very first episode premieres this Friday!

Join co-hosts Kristal I. Vega Carrasquillo and Dr. Aliza R. Quinlan, PhD as they share why they created M.A.P. Forward and what families and professionals can expect from every conversation. Families want practical guidance, and they also want to feel understood. This podcast was built to offer both.

We are also joined by special guest Michelle Whitlow, M.S., Executive Director of the Lewis County Autism Coalition, who shares the Coalition's vision for this work and what she hopes listeners in Lewis County and beyond will take away.

In this episode:
✅ Why we started M.A.P. Forward
✅ Who this podcast is for: parents, caregivers, educators, behavior technicians, and providers
✅ How each episode moves from real moments to strategies you can use that same day
✅ A conversation with Michelle Whitlow on the Coalition's vision

📅 Friday, October 9 at 8:00 AM
▶️ Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/

10/06/2026

Meet the Hosts of M.A.P. Forward: Meaningful Autism Perspectives

Before we launch on Friday, October 9 at 8:00 AM, we would love for you to meet the two voices behind the microphone.

Kristal I. Vega Carrasquillo
Kristal is the Bilingual Community Health and Developmental Support Specialist at the Lewis County Autism Coalition, where she walks alongside families through developmental screenings, school advocacy, and connection to services. She is also the co-founder of Entendiendo El Autismo, a bilingual autism education program for Spanish-speaking families. As a parent of two neurodivergent children, Kristal brings both professional expertise and lived experience to every conversation.

Dr. Aliza R. Quinlan, PhD
Dr. Quinlan is the Chief Executive Officer of Rural Behavioral Connections and a behavioral health professional. Her doctoral research in social psychology focuses on rurality and the strengths and innovation of rural communities. She brings a deep understanding of how families in rural areas can access care and thrive close to home.

Together, they created M.A.P. Forward to bring family stories and professional insight into the same conversation, giving listeners three practical tools they can use every single week.

📅 Episodes 1 and 2 premiere Friday, October 9 at 8:00 AM
▶️ Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/



Meet Your Host: DR. Aliza R. Quinlan, PhD
https://youtube.com/shorts/j7uziXApU1s?si=JnZLlG3cO5JOw2aM
Meet Your Host: Kristal I. Vega Carrasquillo
https://youtube.com/shorts/9wuCSvbrEoM?si=0DnSwXwo3yt_mr-Z

10/06/2026

Introducing M.A.P. Forward: Meaningful Autism Perspectives

Have you ever wished someone could explain autism services, developmental milestones, or school supports in plain language, with real tools you can use right away?

M.A.P. Forward is the official podcast of the Lewis County Autism Coalition, produced in partnership with Rural Behavioral Connections. Each episode brings a family story and a professional perspective into the same conversation, then closes with three practical tools you can use that week and a Community Spotlight on a local family, provider, or resource.

📅 Launch Day: Friday, October 9 at 8:00 AM
Episodes 1 and 2 premiere together:
✅ Episode 1: Series Launch
✅ Episode 2: What Should We Know About Autism?

Hosted by Kristal I. Vega Carrasquillo, Bilingual Community Health and Developmental Support Specialist at LCAC, and Dr. Aliza R. Quinlan, PhD, CEO of Rural Behavioral Connections.

Built for rural and bilingual families in Southwest Washington, and for every parent, caregiver, educator, and provider who supports them. No background or training required. We will meet you exactly where you are.

▶️ Subscribe now so you do not miss an episode:
https://www.youtube.com/

📧 [email protected]
📞 (360) 644-5222
🌐 lcautism.org

10/02/2026

🚍 Introducing B.E.T.T.Y. 💙 Bringing Equitable Transportation to You!

We are excited to announce that Betty will be ready for you. For years, we have talked about transportation as one of the barriers between people and opportunity in rural areas. Today, for the first time,
BETTY will not just sit in a parking lot representing possibility, she is ready for you. 💙

As part of this new service, we are pleased to support DDA eligible participants who would like to attend the 15th Annual Southwest Washington Autism Conference at Great Wolf Lodge on Friday, October 30, 2026.

📅 Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
📍 Destination: Great Wolf Lodge
🎉 Event: 15th Annual Southwest Washington Autism Conference
🚍 Service: Lewis County Transit for Betty

We are proud to take this step toward creating more equitable transportation opportunities for our community.

Please share this announcement with individuals, families, caregivers, organizations, and community partners who may benefit from this FREE transportation service.

If transportation is a barrier for you and you would like to attend the 15th Annual Southwest Washington Autism Conference at Great Wolf Lodge on Friday, October 30, 2026 then please email Grace at [email protected] or call the office from Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM at 360-644-5222

Conference scholarships available! 🎉 Visit lcautism.org

09/30/2026

Dear fellow ESIT and related providers in Washington state,

Please join the 2026-2027 Community Navigation Collab meetings hosted by the On-Time Autism Intervention Project (ontimeautism.org). It is exciting to continue our learning together in these community sessions. They meet on the third Wednesday of every month from 2-3pm via Zoom.

Please sign up using the QR code below. This registration link will gather you contact information for future communications. We will send out a calendar invite with Zoom connection information once you are registered!

You are welcome to share this opportunity within your communities!

09/30/2026

💜🌟 Come visit NeuroBloom Center at 15th annual southwest Washington autism conference on October 30th

This is where you can find our states latest community projects and resources from the last year and the best ways to help families and individuals like you and I.

🔗 https://www.lcautism.org/event-details/15th-annual-southwest-washington-autism-conference