News & Events

By Mayssa Peunemany | WAA Volunteer Journalist  This fall, Washington Autism Alliance (WAA) welcomed Lizz Carson as the new Community Engagement Coordinator.  For Lizz, this wasn’t just a career change–it was a profound life shift, bringing her and her family into a community that embodies hope and support. Joining WAA wasn’t merely a job; it […]

In November, the US Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) jointly released the guidance Using Functional Behavioral Assessments to Create Supportive Learning Environments. This guidance focuses on the evidence-based practice of developing FBAs and BIPs to support students, with or without disabilities, whose behavior […]

By Lizz Carson | Community Engagement Coordinator, WAA  There is always pressure around the holidays to spend time with family and enjoy all the sparkle, noise, and scents that come along with Christmas lights and decorations, but what do you do when the ones you care about the most don’t enjoy the chaos of the […]

Collected by Ericka Frye and Lizz Carson Sensory-Friendly Santa/St. Nickolaus meetings Sensory Tool House, Lacy Washington Sensory Santa- Various dates and times throughout December, see events page to book.   Book a 15-minute sensory-friendly and accessible meet and greet with Santa and his helpers. Accommodations can be arranged in advance and Santa and his helpers are […]

I've been sitting through a 4 hour presentation by one of our state agencies focused on the healthcare needs of children and youth with disabilities. Every few seconds the director used the term "Special Needs". At about 2.5 hours into the presentation I tallied how many times they used "special needs" in 5 minutes: 21 […]

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects individuals in various ways, impacting their social communication, behavior, and interests. While individuals with autism possess valuable skills and talents, they often face significant challenges in securing and maintaining employment.  The Statistics The employment statistics for individuals with autism paint a concerning picture. Studies consistently show that people with autism […]