Community Resources
Sensory Tool House, LLC does not endorse any specific treatments, practices, organizations or other. This is provided to assist in finding what works best for you or those you care for.
We believe that everyone has the right to explore options in our community that best support them. Do your research, ask questions, and find what works best for you.
If you know of a resource or would like a resource added to this list, please contact our Community Events Coordinator by email at jill.morse@sensorytoolhouse.com
Support/Advocates
They work to expand access to healthcare, education and services for people with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities in Washington State.
The Centralia Police Department (CPD) is pleased to announce the introduction of Project Guardian. This program was developed to help keep your loved one with intellectual/developmental disabilities, including autism, safe.
Please click below to be directed to the website and to register.
As of 2023, Police Departments of Centralia, Yakima, and Pasco in WA offer this service.
Lewis County Autism Coalition promotes meaningful, inclusive access to resources, self-advocacy and independence for neurodivergent people and their families.
All families caring for someone with special needs will receive the support and resources they need to feel empowered, encouraged and supported. Grays, Mason and Thurston Counties.
Information regarding services for children birth to three who may show developmental delays or disabilities.
Child Find, in coordination with school districts, locates children who are potentially eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and links them with needed services. Preschool-12th grade
All the information you and your child need to understand your child’s condition and to participate in treatment. Links to resources.
Support for individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders in the South Sound.
Their mission is to promote and nurture early learning communities where children and families thrive.
More Information
Autism Empowerment is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to enriching and empowering the lives of youth, adults and families within autistic and neurodivergent communities. We promote a culture of Autism Acceptance and believe that each one of us has gifts and talents to make the world a better place. Wherever you identify in your life journey, Autism Empowerment is here to meet you along the way with acceptance, enrichment, inspiration, and empowerment for the road ahead.
Spectrum Life Magazine is a grassroots neurodivergent-led community publication.
Canine Companions is a national organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained service dogs at no charge to the recipient.
The University of Washington READi Lab focuses on conducting research related to early identification and intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is also referred to as autism. Our work is important because we know early intervention and detection can change the lives of those impacted by autism.
NAMI Lewis County is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Our members include families, friends, and those individuals with the lived experience of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia, schizo-affective, bipolar disorder (manic depression), major (clinical) depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and general anxiety disorder.
Recreation/Activities
Mission: At Autism Acres we want to build an environment where families with special needs kids can see the Hope and Joy of Christ, feel safe, meet others, have fun, and build a community where we can all share life together.
Thurston County Inclusion was founded in 2019 with the goal to bring youth (ages 5 through 21) with and without intellectual disabilities together for year round engagement in order to support peer connections and relationships. Some example programs that we will run include summer camps that are accessible and inclusive, programs to form mentorships between older and younger people with disabilities and be a general location for peers to connect.
HOCM is located in Olympia. The museum offers a Sensory Friendly Room on the weekends. On Sundays families can participate in Sensory Friendly Hour before the museum opens and stay for Art Time in the Sensory Friendly Room.
Sensory Hour at the Estuarium is the second Saturday of every month at 10am. Registration required.
Yelm Cinemas provides a sensory friendly movie time where theater lights are brought up a little so the entire room can be seen, while making the big screen lighting not so bright. The sound is also turned down a bit for those sensitive to loud noises.
Exploration for All is a program outside of regular hours when the center is open for families with a member on the autism spectrum. Admission is free.
Low Sensory Hours is every Thursday between the hours of 10am-1pm. Families of children with sensory needs are welcome. Admission is pay-as-you-will.
Kid's Quest's FREE Low Sensory Afternoons are every third Thursday from 3pm-5pm. The museum is located in Bellevue and is open to children with autism and/or a sensory processing challenge.
Seattle Play Garden is a safe and accessible place to play for children of all abilities. It is a fully fenced, 1-acre garden. Make sure to check the website for closures due to camps and private events.
This 13-acre community park in Bothell was developed to be 100% universally accessible. It includes paths and play spaces in the woods, play structures and a massive lookout tower.
Lewis County Accessible Recreation is a new community program for youth and adults with disabilities.
Find us on Facebook
Financial
Ben's Fund helps individuals with autism reach their full potential through finacial aid and support services
Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) is a federal Act which authorized states to establish tax-advantaged savings programs so individuals with disabilities can save and invest money without jeopardizing eligibility for public benefits.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits.
Disability support for individuals.
A Gift for Special Children is a non-profit organization which helps families who have special needs children in Mason County.
Main message line 360-427-7058
Plus One Foundation offers resources to those affected by neurological conditions, and educates the community about related issues.
Occupational and Speech Therapists
Therapeutic Beginnings is dedicated to meeting the pediatric occupational and speech therapy needs of families in the South Sound region.
Provides speech therapy services that are holistic, strengths-based, and identity-affirming to all individuals.
They offer home-based pediatric occupational therapy to families who would otherwise not be able to access optimal support due to limited funds, insufficient or nonexistent insurance, difficulty with transportation, etc. Therapy is offered at no cost to the families served. Anybody can contact the program, or their local Elks therapist, to assess whether the program would be a good fit for their child or young adult (ages 0-21).
Cornerstone Center for Development is committed to providing outpatient pediatric speech, occupational, physical, behavioral, and mental health therapies to children and adolescents in our region.
Located in Centralia, WA
Discovering Expression Speech and Language is a private practice servicing the pediatric community with speech therapy services from birth to 18 years old. Our goal is to provide play based and child focused speech services that will allow all our patients to reach their speech and language goals!
Psychologists, Counselors, Mental Health Providers
Dr. Sara Woods provides neurodiversity-affirming assessments of autism, ADHD, learning, anxiety, trauma, gifted and highly capable, and more.
Dr. Barta’s expertise in neuropsychological assessment and understanding of brain functioning turns heads. She was the recipient of the School Psychologist of the Year in Delaware and now uses her knowledge to help families and adults understand what is happening, why, and what to do.
Therapists in Washington who specialize in working with clients who are neurodivergent.
Therapists in Seattle, Washington who specialize in working with clients who are on the autism spectrum.
Therapists in Washington State.
Vocational
Morningside provides employment services for individuals with disabilities.
Education
Lettuce Learn is an innovative test prep service that aims to effectively nullify the disadvantages that neurodivergent students experience in preparing for and taking standardized tests.
Based in Kirkland, Golden Pennant is an educational consultancy that specializes in supporting neurodivergent K-12 and post-secondary learners through academic management and differentiated coaching. All with extensive professional experience in working with LD/ND students, our coaches intimately help students stay confidently on top of schoolwork, mitigate mental dips and avoid hazards, and explore and develop their future healthily and effectively.
A first-of-its-kind inclusive college program for students with intellectual disabilities in the state of California.
Information regarding special education in Washington State.