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Due to the high volume of calls, we're experiencing a higher-than-usual backlog.
We appreciate your patience. In the meantime, please refer to our Resource Directory, Special Education Legal Library, or Insurance Portal as needed on our website while you're waiting
Latest Financial Statements.
Washington State has an estimated 130,000 children, youth, adolescents and adults living with ASD, with nearly half of them from low-income families. We want every one of them, rich or poor, to have an equal chance to thrive and succeed in life. With your support, WAA can:
Thanks to the generosity of people like you, this is what WAA has been able to accomplish in the past year:
We could not do this without your support and donation! Your willingness to support and honor those with Autism will change the world! Thanks for being part of something bigger than all of us! – Arzu Forough, President & CEO
Bev is the first point of contact for individuals and families in need of resource information, family navigation, or insurance navigation to improve access to evidenced based healthcare services, effective services in schools, and supportive community based resources.
Misha is the intake screener for WAA. She is the first point of contact and face of WAA for families and individuals seeking help to navigate through myriads of needs. Misha has over 10 years of experience at nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Misha started with WAA as a volunteer a few years ago and has worked in a few roles on various projects. She feels passionate about the mission of WAA and the help she is able to provide by being a part of a goal driven, compassionate team. She has an MS in Computer Engineering and a Masters in social communications and outreach science. She loves travelling, volunteering at school, playing board games with her kids and cooking for her family.
A member of WAA's Investment and Partnership team, Rabiya is involved in the development of strategic partnerships, as well as planning and executing major fundraising events such as WAA's annual gala. She also provides internal assistance with database management.
Rabiya is an accountant by profession with previous non-profit experience in the middle east. She enjoys Art in various forms and is fond of traveling. When not working she spends her time on DIY projects with her daughters.
Ms. Berman brings over 20 years of experience in community engagement, marketing and sales support to her position.
As a proud parent of son on the spectrum, she first joined WAA as a client in 2019 and then as an actively engaged volunteer in 2020. She supported Blueprints to Special Education Training workshops through 2022. She joined WAA staff in Dec. 2022, overseeing all aspects of community engagement, external communications, social media engagement and monthly training webinars.
Ms. Forough brings over 25 years of experience in training and development to her position, including leadership development, government relations, and non-profit management.
In 2007 she founded Washington Autism Alliance and Advocacy, developed the “Autism IEP supplement: Best Practice Guidelines for educating students with autism”. Her IEP supplement as well as guidelines for training teachers was legally adopted by the Washington State legislature in 2008 and became the requirement for all teachers working with learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders statewide.
Arzu introduced Shayan’s Law, Autism Insurance Parity to the Washington State legislature, petitioned the state Health technology Assessment of evidence-based treatment of autism, and ignited multiple legal actions that have clarified state and federal laws mandating insurance benefits for those with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Arzu designs, implements, and manages local, statewide, and national projects as well as provides technical assistance to agencies, providers, and families on current insurance, education, and social service practices and strategies.
Pam Kil is a highly accomplished attorney with comprehensive in-house background and focus on commercial and transactional agreements.
Pam has outstanding experience in contract negotiation and drafting with attention to detail, independently motivated, and the confidence and ability to interface with clients and co-workers in a professional, approachable, and positive manner. Pam has both personal and professional experience advocating for individuals with disabilities in Washington State. As a parent, Pam has learned how to advocate for her own child and has gained extensive knowledge on how to effectively handle disagreements with the IEP team and insurance companies. Pam first joined WAA in 2019 as a volunteer with the WAA health law team.
Kathy Sheppard has both personal and professional experience advocating for students with special needs in the public school system.
As a senior legal assistant, Kathy assists our staff attorneys in legal research, initial drafting of correspondence, and other general legal support for the special education cases we take on. Kathy is bilingual in Spanish and English. As a parent, Kathy has learned how to advocate for her own child and has gained extensive knowledge on how to effectively handle disagreements with the IEP team. She provides non-legal support to families such as helping parents problem solve and communicate more effectively with the IEP team.
Huma is the Special Education Attorney and Special Education Legal Program Manager at WAA. She is a lifelong social justice advocate with a background in health policy and social work.
Huma is an active member of the community serving on the board of Sheng-Yen Lu Foundation, Open Doors for Multicultural Families, and as the special education chair for her student’s school district PTSA. Huma graduated from University of California, Hastings College of the Law with a concentration in Health Law and obtained both her Bachelor of Social Welfare and Master of Social Work from the University of Washington, School of Social Work. Huma is excited to help students with disabilities access the education they are legally entitled to.
Ms. Cushman holds a Masters degree in Curriculum Development and Instruction and a Bachelor degree in Education with emphasis on Special Education. She was formerly a teacher with Olympia school district and has familial experience with autism.
Mr. Dogadchenko brings over 15 years of experience in B2B business and Telecom and IT product management, project management, consulting, and business development in driving innovation and pushing the envelope with new products in IT / Telecommunications / Mobile, including Customer Engagement solutions, Business Voice, and Contact Center technologies.
Larry Blasko is Chief Revenue Officer at Apptio, where he led sales through its growth from venture-backed startup to successful IPO and then acquisition several years later. He is a parent of a child on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Kressin is an Autistic, neurodiversity advocate, and physician. She's passionate about decreasing barriers in health care for autistics.
Lakshmi Nidamarthi brings a wealth of experience as an executive leader and innovator, spanning over two decades. Her expertise lies in skillfully assembling cross-functional teams to deliver technology, product development, operations, and design solutions on a global scale. Beyond her corporate roles, Lakshmi is deeply committed to societal progress.
In her role as a board member and Chair of the Governance Committee for the Washington Autism Alliance (WAA), she demonstrates a dedicated focus on initiatives related to education and neurodiversity. Additionally, Lakshmi serves as a mentor and advisor to women leaders and entrepreneurs, actively engaging with her community through nonprofits like Amrita Seattle and the Shanti Bhavan Children's Project. These engagements reflect her sincere commitment to providing support to underrepresented populations globally and fostering the career success of women and minorities.
Keith Foe, CFA®, CFP®, CPA, CLU®, ChFC®, is a Partner at Pillar Financial Group, a Wealth Management firm affiliated with Northwestern Mutual. Keith also teaches accounting courses in North Seattle College’s CPA Preparation Program. He is a Seattle Native and a graduate of the University of Washington.
Anna Kakos is
Vice President, assistant general counsel Counsel at Starbucks Corporation. She is a commercial attorney with emphasis on marketing, advertising and social media law.
