First Steps Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities

04/13/2026

Missed Color the Coast for Autism this past weekend but still want to support a great cause and grab a cool shirt? 💙

Good news—I’ve got a few leftovers!
Available sizes: Adult Large and Adult XL
Just $10 each!

All proceeds go directly to support First Steps Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and the families we serve right here in our community.

Message me if you want one before they’re gone!

04/10/2026

A huge thank you to Maki Plumbing for sponsoring the Rascal Rodeo at the 2026 Clatsop County Fair! This event is a favorite fair tradition.
This adaptive rodeo invites participants with physical and developmental disabilities of all ages to step into the spotlight. Rascal Rodeo exists to help people with disabilities experience the joy of rodeo and build confidence in a welcoming arena. For more information about the Rascal Rodeo, visit: https://rascalrodeo.org/

Join us July 22-25, 2026 for “Neon Nights & Carnival Lights.” Tickets and information: www.clatsopcofair.com

04/10/2026

Don't forget that this is today!!

🍻💙 Kick Off Color the Coast Weekend With Us! 💙🍻

We’re starting the celebration early with our friends at Battery 245!

📅 April 10
Every draft beer ordered = $1 donated to First Steps

Then join us the very next day for:
🎨 Color the Coast for Autism – April 11

Let’s make it a full weekend of community, connection, and showing up for neurodivergent families. 💙

04/09/2026

🍻💙 Kick Off Color the Coast Weekend With Us! 💙🍻

We’re starting the celebration early with our friends at Battery 245!

📅 April 10
Every draft beer ordered = $1 donated to First Steps

Then join us the very next day for:
🎨 Color the Coast for Autism – April 11

Let’s make it a full weekend of community, connection, and showing up for neurodivergent families. 💙

04/09/2026

We have to take a moment to give a HUGE shoutout to the incredible businesses and organizations who helped make Color the Coast for Autism 2026 possible 🌈💙

This event—and the impact it creates for neurodivergent individuals and families right here in our community—would not happen without the generosity, kindness, and belief in this work from our sponsors.

Please help us show some love and appreciation to:

✨ Arnie's Cafe (Color Sponsor)
✨ Columbia Pacific CCO
✨ Family Relief Resources (Parking Sponsor)
✨ Walmart (Volunteerism Always Pays)
✨ Warrenton Dairy Queen (Lunch Sponsor)
✨ Windermere Realty Trust - Oregon Coast
✨ Little Rebel with a Cause
✨ Fort Stevens State Park(Location Sponsor)
✨ The Lotus Center for Neurodiversity

Because of you, we are able to create a day that is inclusive, joyful, and accessible for over 300 participants—and continue providing free support, resources, and connection for families in Clatsop County.

Your support truly makes a difference. 💙

If you see these businesses out in the community, please take a moment to thank them—they are helping build something really special.

04/08/2026

Free parenting support that helps you connect 🤝, communicate 💬, and guide your teen with confidence 💪✨
Join Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare for the Active Parenting of Teens program this spring 🌸📚!
✏ Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mhtXA49Vpky04NRj9AplRjSXmao8wTZHm9F2rgPIuwNUMjJNMDA4RDMzMzdJSEdMODE1WFJVUFlGWi4u&origin=QRCode

04/03/2026

✨ Neurodivergent Adult Support Group ✨

We hope everyone in our community is healthy and thriving! We’re excited to share that our Adult Neurodivergent Support Group is happening Thursday, April 16 at 6:00 PM at The Dock (395 11th St, Astoria).

This group is co-hosted by First Steps and The Harbor and is a welcoming space for neurodivergent adults to connect, share experiences, build community, and just be — without masking, without pressure, and without judgment.

In addition to connection and community, this group will also focus on helping neurodivergent adults work through lived experiences and trauma in a supportive, art-based therapeutic way. Together we’ll explore creative expression as a way to process, reflect, and support healing in a space that honors neurodivergent experiences.

Whether you’re looking for support, friendship, resources, or simply a place where you don’t have to explain yourself, this space is for you.

📍 The Dock
395 11th St, Astoria
🗓 Thursday, April 16
⏰ 6:00 PM

We’d love to see you there. You belong here. 💛

Registration is required. Please register below!

Event Timing: Thursday April 16, 2026 from 6pm-7pm Event Address: "The Dock" 395 11th Street Astoria, Or 97103 Contact us at (503) 791-4088 or [email protected]

04/02/2026

Today is World Autism Acceptance Day, and April is Autism Acceptance Month —a reminder that acceptance is more than awareness.

It’s choosing to understand instead of judge.
It’s creating spaces where neurodivergent individuals feel safe, valued, and supported—just as they are.

At First Steps, we see the strength, resilience, and brilliance in every individual and family we serve. And we will continue to show up, advocate, and build a community where everyone belongs.

Because acceptance isn’t a moment—it’s a commitment.

03/28/2026

Less than 24 hours left—and we’re SO close to our goal! 🎉
Our goal is 300 registrations, and we’re currently sitting at 275… which means we only need 25 more people to get there!
Just a quick reminder that registration closes on March 29 at NOON to be guaranteed an event T-shirt for the Color the Coast for Autism 5K Color Run.
✨ There is no cost to join the fun, so come out, enjoy the day, and be part of this colorful, inclusive community event!
Registration will reopen on the day of the event, but please note that T-shirts are only guaranteed for those who register by March 29 at noon.
We’re also excited to share that our 2026 T-shirt design winner is Charlotte DeVos, an incredibly talented 11-year-old from Warrenton! 🎉
Thank you to everyone who submitted designs—your creativity made this such a special part of the event—and a huge thank you to our sponsors who helped select the winning design. We appreciate you so much!
💙 Let’s hit 300 together!
If you’ve been thinking about signing up, now is the time—and if you’re already registered, share this post and help us cross the finish line!
👉 Register before March 29 at noon to secure your spot and your shirt!
We can’t wait to celebrate with you all!

Register Here: https://charity.pledgeit.org/CoastWalk?fbclid=IwY2xjawQxFDJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeKugQtQWpVu0bgBvuq0RfPr81YNbkKVr1LgPV2hAQRdivbafn3dyBpnkmhxM_aem_g9Y1U6JfZUEHJKJTOg5d9w

03/25/2026

Hi everyone,

Just a quick reminder that March 28 is the last day to register for the Color the Coast for Autism 5K Color Run and be guaranteed an event T-shirt!

Registration will reopen on the day of the event for anyone who still wants to join us, but please note that T-shirts will only be guaranteed for those who register by March 28.

We’re also excited to share that our 2026 T-shirt design winner is Charlotte DeVos, an incredibly talented 11-year-old from Warrenton! 🎉
We are so grateful to everyone who submitted designs—your creativity and heart made this such a special part of the event.

A huge thank you as well to all of our sponsors who helped select this year’s winning design—we truly appreciate your support and involvement.

We’d love to see you there for a fun, colorful day of community, connection, and support for local families. If you’ve been thinking about signing up, now’s the time!

👉 Be sure to register before March 28 to secure your spot and your shirt!

Thank you so much for your support—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

https://charity.pledgeit.org/CoastWalk?fbclid=IwY2xjawQxFDJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeKugQtQWpVu0bgBvuq0RfPr81YNbkKVr1LgPV2hAQRdivbafn3dyBpnkmhxM_aem_g9Y1U6JfZUEHJKJTOg5d9w