Safeway Funds Partnership with University of Washington to Help Fight Autism

The Safeway Foundation has granted Easter Seals Washington $65,000 to deliver an unprecedented program in partnership with the University of Washington.  Safeway’s generous donation will be used to provide free screenings and counseling to help parents in Pierce County, Spokane, and the Tri-Cities whose children may be on the autism spectrum.

Clinicians from The University of Washington Autism Center, the leading service provider of autism services in the state, will provide a weekend of on-site services in each geographical area three times per year.  The first day of each visit will include screenings to determine if participants may be on the autism spectrum.  The morning of the second day will include a seminar for parents of children with and without autism about behavioral development of young children and tools parents can use to identify typical and non-typical behaviors.   The UW clinicians will provide individualized counseling to parents whose children showed a likelihood of being on the autism spectrum on the afternoon of the second day.  Parents receiving this counseling will be given referrals for further services and practical assistance to address their children’s behavioral needs.  Easter Seals Washington will coordinate the program.

The program addresses one of the most urgent needs facing parents in the growing epidemic of autism: early intervention.  Studies confirm that the earlier a child with autism is identified on the spectrum and begins treatment, the better are his chances for social and educational success as an adult.  Unfortunately, many parents are not aware of the warning signs of autism, and believe their young children exhibit typical behaviors.  Parents who suspect that their children may be on the spectrum are often unable to find affordable services to have their children screened.  Services are particularly insufficient in the geographical areas that will be visited by UW clinicians.  The ultimate goal of the program is to provide system change in the fight against autism, giving parents and children the tools they need to begin treatment for autism early in children’s lives.

The grant is the result of clinicians from the University of Washington and Easter Seals President/CEO Cathy Bisaillon serving together on Washington State’s Combating Autism Advisory Council.  Bisaillon commented on the importance of the Council in creating new strategies for dealing with autism.  “Serving on the Combating Autism Advisory Council has increased my awareness of the tremendous need for services for families, especially those in outlying communities.  It is exciting to be part of a strong three-way collaboration that creatively takes clinical services to the families that are struggling with the early signs of autism.  I am extremely grateful to Safeway and the University of Washington for their support of this project.”

Dates and locations for program visits are being identified, and will be posted on the Easter Seals website and in communities where the visits will take place.  Please contact Holly Morgan, Easter Seals Washington Vice President of Programs, at hmorgan@wa.easterseals.com for more information about the program’s services.