LCAC
- Vilius Mileris
- 4 hours ago
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15th Annual
Southwest Washington
Autism Conference
You are Invited!
15th Annual Southwest Washington Autism Conference
THE SPACE BETWEEN
Where Systems End, Community Begins,
and Connection Creates Possibility
Dear ${contact.name.first} ,
The Lewis County Autism Coalition warmly invites you to join us for the 15th Annual Southwest Washington Autism Conference on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington.
Every day, autistic and neurodivergent individuals, families, educators, healthcare professionals, service providers, and community partners navigate the spaces between healthcare, education, employment, family support, community resources, and everyday life.
While each system plays an important role, meaningful support often happens in the connections between them.
That is where collaboration begins. That is where innovation happens. That is The Space Between.
This full-day conference will bring together autistic self-advocates, families, educators, clinicians, therapists, service organizations, researchers, and community leaders to share practical strategies, elevate lived experience, strengthen partnerships, and explore how we can create better pathways of support across the lifespan.
What to Expect
Attendees will enjoy:
Inspiring presentations and educational breakout sessions
Nationally recognized experts and respected regional leaders
Autistic and neurodivergent voices and lived-experience perspectives (Speakers are currently being firmed up, your patience is appreciated!)
Practical strategies that can be applied immediately
Opportunities to connect with professionals and community partners
A Resource and Exhibitor Hall featuring organizations from across Washington
Networking and relationship-building throughout the day
A complimentary lunch included with registration
Silent Auction including art by local neurodiverse artists
(If you are an artist yourself and would like to add to our growing list of beautifully donated pieces, please contact Michelle at executivedirector@lcautism.org!)
Planned topics include family autism education, medication and co-occurring diagnoses, DDA services and advocacy, special education advocacy, culturally responsive autism diagnosis for Latino families, behavior and parent empowerment, and cross-system collaboration through a live case consultation panel that includes multiple well-respected professionals from varied organizations such as WA Include, WA State Developmental Disabilities Administration, DCYF, medical providers, UW, and family members of lived experience to name a few.
Final agenda to be confirmed as speakers are locked in.
A Special Lunch Plenary Experience
Lunch will be more than a break, it will be part of the conference experience. Attendees will participate in a dynamic interdisciplinary panel featuring a live case presentation that demonstrates how healthcare, education, family navigation, community organizations, and lived experience can work together to address real-world challenges.
This interactive session will offer a firsthand look at what meaningful collaboration can accomplish when people stop working in silos and begin working together.
Early Bird Registration: $60 Available through August 20, 2026 Use code: LCAC2026
Standard Registration: $75 August 21 through October 14, 2026
Late Registration: $90 Beginning October 15, 2026
A delicious, warm lunch is included with registration.
Organizations and businesses are invited to participate in our Resource and Exhibitor Hall. This is an excellent opportunity to connect directly with families, professionals, advocates, educators, and community leaders from throughout Southwest Washington and beyond.
Space at Great Wolf Lodge is limited to approximately 18 vendor and resource tables, so early registration is strongly encouraged.
Conference sponsors help make affordable registration, scholarships, accessible learning opportunities, and meaningful community connections possible. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses, agencies, healthcare organizations, foundations, and community partners that would like to support this important regional event.
For fifteen years, the Southwest Washington Autism Conference has been a place where ideas become partnerships, professionals become collaborators, and families discover they are not alone.
We hope you will join us as we strengthen the connections between people, organizations, communities, and systems of support.
Because when we strengthen the space between, we strengthen
outcomes for everyone.
Conference Scholarships
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn, connect, and belong.
A limited number of scholarships are available for autistic self-advocates, parents, caregivers, educators, students, professionals, and community members who need financial assistance. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and awarded based on available funding.
With appreciation,
Michelle Whitlow, M.S. Executive Director Lewis County Autism Coalition executivedirector@lcautism.org| (360) 644-LCAC (5222) www.lcautism.org
Friday, October 30, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Great Wolf Lodge | Grand Mound, Washington Lewis County Autism Coalition dba Spectrum & Development Community Center info@lcautism.org www.lcautism.org
375 Linhart Avenue Northeast, Napavine, WA, USA (360) 644-LCAC (5222)
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