Northwest Autism Center

10/15/2026

Happening tomorrow! This is a free family support event designed around the IDD community. It's a great opportunity to learn new methods and gain more resources so you can feel empowered!

Spokane:

10/15/2026

👟💞

We have no tie shoelaces available at no cost!! Many different colors, and most colors have two packs available. Please reach out to us or DM us to get yours! These are free!

10/11/2026

Families know their loved one best 💞

That knowledge is an important part of care. Families notice what works at home, what feels hard during routines, what helps someone feel safe, and what goals would make daily life more manageable.

At NAC, family partnership means caregivers are included in the process. Your input can help shape goals, guide priorities, and support strategies that make sense for your family.

The goal is not to give families more pressure. The goal is to make support more connected to real life: home routines, school transitions, community outings, communication, safety, independence, and quality of life.

Support does not stop at the clinic door 💙

10/05/2026

You can now submit your applications for the Elevations - A Children's Therapy Resource Foundation grant opportunity! See more details below.

🎉 Grant Applications Are Open!
Ready to apply? Don’t miss your chance to submit your grant application.

📅 Deadline: Friday, November 20
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM

Visit our website for further details: elevationsspokane.org

10/02/2026

Meaningful goals look different for every person because every person is different.

Evidence-based ABA is not one program that everyone moves through in the same order. Care is individualized around a person’s strengths, needs, communication style, preferences, family priorities, and the environments where they live, learn, work, and grow.

The Spectrum, an educational initiative from the Council of Autism Service Providers, notes that strong ABA treatment plans are highly individualized, with goals shaped by each person’s strengths, needs, family goals, and preferences.

For one person, a meaningful goal might be finding a clearer way to communicate what they need. For someone else, it might be learning a safety routine, getting ready for school more independently, asking for a break, joining an activity, or building confidence in the community.

ABA may support challenging behavior when it affects everyday life, but care can also focus on communication, self-advocacy, routines, relationships, independence, participation, and other skills that matter to the individual.
What matters is that goals connect to real life, not a checklist.

At NAC, care is built around the individual, with progress focused on the skills that are meaningful to them and their family. See what NAC has to offer online at nwautism.org/services

09/29/2026

NAC Families and Friends, just sending a kind reminder about the Elevations - A Children's Therapy Resource Foundation Grant Cycle that opens NEXT MONDAY, OCTOBER 5!

💙 Elevations supports Spokane County children ages 0–18 who are currently receiving therapy services. Funding may help with out-of-pocket costs such as copays, deductibles, uninsured or underinsured therapy services, as well as therapist-recommended sensory, communication, mobility, daily living, and other therapeutic equipment.

📃👀 Carefully review application requirements ahead of time so you can be ready right away!

Find all application info and grant details on their website at

Elevations currently has three grant cycles per year – March, July, and November. This is for families of children with special needs to apply for assistance with out-of-pocket therapy services costs for their child.

09/26/2026

Families deserve clear answers about care.

When choosing or evaluating ABA services, it can help to ask how goals are chosen, who is involved, how progress is measured, and how family priorities are included.

You can also ask how care is individualized, how challenging behaviors are understood, how dignity and choice are supported, and who develops and supervises the treatment plan.

At NAC, questions are always welcome. Families are encouraged to see the space, understand the process, and feel involved before services begin.

NAC's Community Connections department can also help families connect with community resources, opportunities, and supports beyond clinical care.

Clear information helps families feel informed, respected, and included.

Have questions or want to talk about next steps?
Feel free to call us directly at 509.328.1582
Learn more about NAC at nwautism.org

Check out this helpful guide from CASP on Provider Questions.
https://thespectrum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Spectrum_10_Provider_Questions.pdf

09/22/2026

📣 Coming up this Thursday!

The Arc of Spokane’s Legislative Kickoff Forum is happening this Thursday, September 24, from 5:30–7:30 PM at The Arc of Spokane Community Center.

💙 Opportunities like this matter because decisions made at the state and local level can directly shape the services, supports, and opportunities available to the IDD community. Having a space to learn, ask questions, and share what matters to your family can help make those conversations more informed and connected to real community experiences.

This free event gives families, self-advocates, caregivers, providers, and community members a chance to connect directly with elected officials and candidates, ask questions, learn more about advocacy, and hear conversations about issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Topics may include special education, Medicaid waivers and long-term supports, housing, employment and transition services, transportation, accessibility, community inclusion, and more.

If this is something that could be helpful to you or your family, take advantage of the opportunity while it’s here! Attendees can also submit questions in advance when registering.

Learn more and register through The Arc of Spokane.
https://www.arc-spokane.org/legislative-kickoff

We know that speaking to your local and state representatives can often be intimidating. That's why we created the Legislative Kickoff Forum.

This is a chance to sit in a room with some of your local representatives and have an opportunity to share your experiences, voice your concerns, and ask questions about how you can be more involved in the legislative process.

Be sure to join us Thursday, September 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. We will also be joined by the following partners, and they are excited to also share their resources and networking opportunities! The event is free, but pre-registration is required for entry at the door.

Learn more at www.arc-spokane.org/legislative-kickoff

Informing Families
Northwest Autism Center
AtWork!
The Mockingbird Foundation

DAC New - Disability Action Center North East Washington
People First of Washington

09/19/2026

What does evidence-based ABA therapy look like today? 🤔

Families may hear a lot of different things about ABA, and it can be difficult to know what care actually looks like in practice. Like many healthcare and therapy fields, ABA has continued to evolve alongside research, ethics, professional standards, training, and family expectations.

Evidence-based ABA can support challenging behavior when it affects safety, health, communication, learning, or daily life. But ABA can also focus on building everyday skills that support communication, routines, self-advocacy, self-regulation,independence, participation, and overall quality of life.

At NAC, evidence-based ABA supports meaningful growth while honoring each individual’s identity, preferences, and strengths. Care is individualized and family-centered, with goals built around what matters to the individual and their family.

Evidence-based care is also supported by professional training, supervision, recognized standards, and ongoing review.

Transparency matters, too. Families are welcome to tour our facility, ask questions, and learn how services are provided. Observation windows in public treatment spaces allow families to view care in real time without interrupting treatment, while supporting safety, privacy, and dignity.

Respect, dignity, safety, and choice are central to care at NAC.

Questions are always welcome. ❤️
Feel free to call NAC directly at 509.328.1582
Learn more about NAC at nwautism.org

09/17/2026

We just love this message 💞

Life feels a little brighter when we're surrounded by people who listen, respect our experiences, and make us feel like we matter. Communities built on understanding and acceptance help us create connections that last.

Looking for a place to connect, learn, and belong? Find your Autism community at IEAutism.org.

Together, we're stronger.