Community Calendar

Thanks to a generous grant from Safeco Insurance, we are proud to present Exploration for All: Autism Early Open at Pacific Science Center. On the second Saturday of each month, through December 2017, all families affected by autism spectrum disorder are invited to explore Pacific Science Center during a special free morning visit from 8-10 a.m. – before we open to the public.

Experience our exhibits without heavy crowds when we have softened general lighting and decreased the noise level and visual stimulation on interactive exhibits wherever possible. Additional accessibility resources can be found below.

This C.A.S.T. for Kids event is designed to provide children with disabilities, ages 5-17, the opportunity to enjoy a quality outdoor recreational experience through the sport of fishing. Take to the water with C.A.S.T. for an unforgettable morning of fishing and boating!

Event Location

Coulon Park, Lake Washington
Renton, Washington (map)

CAST for Kids Flyer Lake Washington 2017

Event Contacts

Coordinator

Jessica Kelly, (425) 251-3214, email

Date: Saturday, September 9, 2017
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Pybus Public Market, 3 N Worthen St., Wenatchee, WA 98801

We are working to get more kids and teens into properly fit helmets through the Kohl’s Helmet Safety Program at Seattle Children’s.

In partnership with Kohl’s Cares, we travel Washington state providing free helmet fittings and giveaways for children year-round. We teach parents and kids how to properly fit every helmet we give away, but we don’t stop there. We also provide resources to teach you to fit helmets where you are, in the community or at home. In our eight-year partnership, we have properly fit and given away over 25,000 helmets.

Learn more about bike and multi-sport and ski and snowboard helmets.

Below is a calendar of when and where we will be in 2017. Please note that we fit and give away helmets only at these community events. Unfortunately, we are unable to fulfill individual requests for helmets or provide helmet donations.

Please note that events are subject to change. It is recommended that you check back one month prior to confirm the date, time and location of a specific event.

Make Sure the Helmet Fits

Watch this video to learn how to fit a helmet.

Bike accidents are the second leading cause of serious injury in school-age children. Each year, an average of two bicyclists are killed in the Seattle area, and more than 200 are severely injured. Head injury is the leading cause of bicycle-related death and disability.

Bicycle helmets can reduce these risks by 85%. Wearing a helmet is required by law in Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton and many other Washington cities. However, many kids either don’t have a helmet or won’t wear one. We want to change that!

Autism 208: Screening for ASD: A Preventative Intervention Approach
September 21, 2017
Instructor: Lisa Ibanez, PhD

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been rising steadily, with rates now estimated to be as high as 1 in 68 children. Although parents often become concerned about their child by 17–19 months of age, children do not typically receive an ASD diagnosis until they are 4 years old. It is now well documented that early participation in ASD-specialized intervention can lead to significant improvements in skills and behavior for toddlers with ASD. However, despite the availability of publicly funded early intervention (EI) services, delayed detection of ASD risk and long waits for a formal ASD diagnosis can prevent children from receiving appropriately specialized intervention during the critical birth-to-three-years period. In addition, parents concerned about ASD experience high levels of uncertainty and stress during this waiting period. This provider-focused lecture will discuss how a preventive intervention approach may improve outcomes for both children and parents by increasing rates of ASD screening, promoting earlier referral to EI programs, initiating early ASD-specialized intervention, and reducing the time between ASD concerns and diagnosis.

Autism 200 is a series of 90-minute classes for parents and caregivers of children with autism who wish to better understand autism spectrum disorder. Faculty from Seattle Children’s and the University of Washington and community providers teach the classes. Each class includes time for questions.

Classes are held at Seattle Children’s Hospital from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Wright Auditorium. Parking is in the visitor lots. Lectures are available through Seattle Children’s video and teleconferencing outreach program and can be viewed at various locations throughout the region. View Seattle Children’s video teleconferencing site information (PDF).

Please call Seattle Children’s Autism Center at 206-987-8080 with questions.

2017 WA State Fathers Network Family Campout Weekend at Carnation Farm

(for families who have children with special health care needs)

When: Friday, September 22 (arrive after 2:00, dinner at 6:00) – Sunday, September 24 (depart by Noon)

Where: Carnation Farms – 28901 NE Carnation Farm Rd, Carnation, WA 98014

Cost: Thanks to generous donations, the cost is $50 per person, for the weekend, and includes, lodging, food and scheduled activities. Meals include: Dinner on Friday night, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks on Saturday, breakfast and a brown bag lunch to-go on Sunday.

Register online

Carnation Farm staff will be on hand to supervise most activities but parents will be responsible for their children. Carnation Farms considers their programs and facilities to be suitable for ages 7 and older. Younger family members are welcome but the facilities have not been baby/toddler proofed (no outlet covers, etc.). Anyone under the age of 7 will need to be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

Please also be aware that Carnation Farms has a no smoking indoor policy.

For questions contact: Louis Mendoza, louis.mendoza@kindering.org, 425-653-4286

Courageous Kids Climbing Spokane: A FREE climbing opportunity for 20 children with special needs, physical or developmental!

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2017
Time: 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm
Where: Spokane Valley YMCA, Spokane, WA.

20 children will be able to climb the outdoor climbing wall structure at Spokane Valley YMCA. ALL children will be required to wear a safety harness. Children with physical challenges will be able to experience climbing as well while wearing one of our special harnesses.

Volunteer belayers/coaches are also needed!

A sponsor is also needed so that we can give each child a T-shirt!

For more information, to volunteer as a coach or to reserve a spot for your child, contact Courageous Kids Climbing at jeffriechmann@cs.com.

Courageous Kids Climbing provides FREE opportunities for children with special needs, physical or developmental, to experience the various forms of rock climbing, conducting events throughout Idaho, eastern Washington and southern California.

We also support the Courageous Kids Scholarship Fund at the University of Idaho.