Northwest Autism Center
Celebrating 20 years of success
It is still amazing to me how a need and an idea can grow into a service and an organization! Since 2003, Northwest Autism Center blossomed from a virtual site with a phone to an integrated community provider of education, service and information for Spokane and the surrounding region.
That we’ve gotten from there to here is largely because of you. No amount of words can adequately thank our community partners, volunteers, staff, board members, donors, legislators and countless others who have given so generously of their time and expertise to bring this organization to life.
-Dawn Sidell, RN, Executive Director
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our anniversary on October 20th!
2003
The beginnings
Established in 2003 through the grassroots efforts of the Spokane community under the guidance of Dawn Sidell, RN, Executive Director.
As a mom with a son diagnosed with Autism, Dawn Sidell founded Northwest Autism Center to enable every individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder to realize their full potential within their families and in their communities.
2005
The Domino Project
A ground-breaking collaboration between Eastern Washington University and Northwest Autism Center to benefit children, families and educators affected by autism.
A unique approach to an inclusive early intervention program for newly diagnosed children with autism. The Domino Project paired university students with trained staffed in a classroom setting to work individually with children to improve behavior, speech, language and social interactions.
2014
Early ABA Day Treatment Clinic
Northwest Autism Center launched one of the first Early Intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Treatment Clinics for young children in January 2014. Since that time, NAC has opened three additional Intensive Clinics.
Agency-approved intensive ABA treatment clinics provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary services to young children with autism spectrum and related conditions. These clinics follow guidelines created by a group of experts and adopted by the WA State Health Care Authority (HCA) in 2014.
2015
Steps for Autism
This annual event promotes community inclusion and integration; healthcare providers walking alongside clients, teachers walking alongside students, and families walking alongside neighbors demonstrating the care and investment in each other.
In 2013, a local mom of a child with autism, wanted to show her appreciation for the services and support provided to her son and family through Northwest Autism Center. Out of that initial vision, the first Steps for Autism event was born in 2015.
2016
Community Based Services
Our Board-Certified Behavior Analysts provide individualized treatment plans for those with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities through the lifespan.
This is achieved through a collaborative approach with the family through both in-home services and clinical support to ensure these individuals can be successfully integrated into real-life scenarios.
2018
Giving Tree
Northwest Autism Center coordinates with local agencies contracted with the Developmental Disabilities Administration to identify and fulfill the wishes and needs of those living in residential homes in our community.
Each year we look forward to placing a gift under the Christmas tree of every individual, both youth and adults, with developmental disabilities living in residential care in our community.
2021
University research studies
Northwest Autism Center partners with local universities to support research studies and continuing education.
This partnership includes working with clinical research teams of PhD research faculty, speech-language pathologists, applied behavior analysts, medical students and graduate students. These universities rely on the strength of community-based research to support the health of all people in Washington State. Pairing community outreach and clinical education allows each university to have a broad reach within the autism community and to engage with children and families with autism in research projects..
2022
BHCOE Accreditation
Northwest Autism Center is accredited by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence® (BHCOE)
BHCOE Accreditation® is an earned certification and a distinction among ABA therapy providers that demonstrates an organization’s commitment to quality and continuous improvement in applied behavior analysis.
Our community engagement
Address
528 E Spokane Falls Blvd Suite 14 Spokane, WA 99202
Call Us
(509) 328-1582 Mon - Thu, 8:00-4:30, Fri 9:30-2:30
Cancellations: (509) 204-8483
Email Us
info@nwautism.org
