Dear Friends,

The Lewis County Autism Coalition warmly invites you to the 15th Annual Southwest Washington Autism Conference:

Friday, October 30, 2026

8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Opening remarks begin at 8:30 a.m.

Great Wolf Lodge | Grand Mound, Washington

THE SPACE BETWEEN

Where Systems End, Community Begins, and Connection Creates Possibility

For fifteen years, this conference has brought together families, professionals, advocates, and community partners from Lewis County, throughout Southwest Washington, and beyond.

Every day, autistic and neurodivergent individuals and families navigate the spaces between healthcare, education, developmental disability services, public safety, employment, and community support.

Each system has an important role. But people do not live their lives inside one system at a time. Meaningful support often depends on what happens between them: whether information travels, whether relationships exist, whether people understand one another, and whether someone is willing to bridge the gap.

That is where collaboration begins. That is where community matters.

That is The Space Between.

Join us for a full day of practical learning, lived-experience perspectives, and conversations about how we build stronger connections across systems, and communities where everyone belongs.

REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE

Meet Our Keynote Speaker: Ivanova Smith

Self-Advocate • Disability Rights Leader

Nothing About Us Without Us

Lived experience belongs at the center of decisions.

We are honored to welcome Ivanova Smith, whose advocacy centers the voices and leadership of people with disabilities in the policies and services that affect their lives.

Ivanova helps put “Nothing About Us Without Us” into practice through training and outreach supporting Washington’s law of the same name. Her work speaks directly to our conference theme: meaningful connections between systems and communities must include the people whose lives those systems affect.

Join us as we highlight self-advocacy, disability rights, and the importance of having meaningful influence in decisions about our own lives.

What to Expect

• Keynote and breakout presentations featuring practical strategies and lived experience.

• Conversations about rural partnerships, family-school collaboration, culturally responsive support, and crisis prevention.

• A special interdisciplinary lunch plenary with audience participation.

• Film and storytelling exploring autism, opportunity, and belonging.

• Opportunities to connect with presenters, advocates, professionals, and community organizations.

• A Resource and Exhibitor Hall serving Southwest Washington and beyond.

• “Art from Lived Experience,” our silent auction featuring original artwork and unique donated pieces.

• A warm lunch catered by Great Wolf Lodge, included with registration.

Explore Our Conference Sessions

A Special Lunch Plenary

The Human Story Behind Complex Behavior

Live Interdisciplinary Case Consultation | 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

One fictional case. Multiple systems. Nine perspectives. One shared question: What happens next?

Facilitated by Kristal Vega Carrasquillo of the Lewis County Autism Coalition, this session introduces “Mateo,” a fictional individual whose changing needs cross healthcare, education, developmental disability services, family support, and community resources.

As Mateo’s story unfolds, the panel and audience will consider what meaningful coordination could look like in the first 72 hours, two weeks, 30 days, and 60-90 days.

Where do systems connect? Where do they stop? Who helps bridge the space between?

Lunch will be part of the learning experience, and attendees will be part of the conversation.

Educators: Earn 4.5 Clock Hours

Teachers, paraeducators, and school staff can earn 4.5 clock hours through ESD 113 pdEnroller.

Take practical strategies back to your school for supporting autistic and neurodivergent students and strengthening partnerships with families.

Register for clock hours by Sunday, October 25.

Use the direct link below; the event is not searchable in pdEnroller.

REGISTER FOR CLOCK HOURS — EVENT #219358

Conference registration and clock-hour registration are separate. Please complete both if you plan to attend and receive clock hours.

Registration & Scholarships

Standard registration: $75 through October 14

Late registration: $90 beginning October 15

A warm catered lunch is included with registration.

REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE

Cost should not be a barrier to connection.

Scholarship funding remains available for autistic self-advocates, parents, caregivers, educators,

students, professionals, and community members who need financial assistance.

Applications are reviewed as received, and scholarships are awarded based on available funding.

APPLY FOR A CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP

Need a Ride? Meet B.E.T.T.Y.

Bringing Equitable Transportation To You

LCAC’s new Community Connection Shuttle is launching transportation service at this year’s conference!

Limited transportation assistance to and from the conference may be available for DDA-eligible individuals and families experiencing transportation or accessibility barriers. Receiving DDA benefits is not required.

Space is limited, and advance reservation is required.

To request transportation, contact Grace at grace@lcautism.org. Please include your name, number of riders, general pickup area, and any accessibility needs.

Resource & Exhibitor Opportunities

Connect directly with families, educators, professionals, advocates, and community leaders from throughout Southwest Washington and beyond.

Organizations and businesses are invited to participate in our Resource and Exhibitor Hall. Space is limited, so advance registration is strongly encouraged.

RESERVE A RESOURCE OR EXHIBITOR TABLE

Art from Lived Experience

Our silent auction celebrates creativity, community, and the perspectives of people with lived experience.

Interested in donating artwork or a unique auction item? Contact Krystian at (360) 508-5825 or Michelle at executivedirector@lcautism.org.

We cannot begin to tell you the beautiful donations that have already come through!

You are not going to want to miss seeing the talented work of our beloved community!

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors & Community Partners

Affordable registration, scholarships, learning opportunities, and community connection are possible because our partners invest in this gathering.

Systems Champions

• Lewis County Public Health & Social Services - Developmental Disabilities

• Inatai Foundation

Pathway Partner

• WA INCLUDE

Networking Sponsor

• Therapz

  
  

We extend a special thank-you to Therapz, our Networking Sponsor, for supporting the opportunities to meet, exchange ideas, and build relationships that are central to The Space Between.

Community Connectors

• Wellpoint

• Community Health Plan of Washington

• Cornerstone Center for Development

We are deeply grateful to every sponsor and community partner helping make this conference possible.

Interested in supporting the conference? Contact Michelle to discuss remaining sponsorship opportunities.

VIEW THE SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS

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, communities, and systems of support.

When those connections grow stronger, people have a better chance to find the support, opportunity, and belonging they need.

With appreciation,

Michelle Whitlow, M.S.

Executive Director

LCAC Staff, Volunteers, and Board of Directors

Lewis County Autism Coalition

dba Spectrum & Development Community Center

executivedirector@lcautism.org

(360) 644-LCAC (5222)

info@lcautism.org