Pacific Northwest Ballet is offering a sensory-friendly performance of “The Nutcracker” for their 2:00 PM matinée on Tuesday, December 19th. For this performance of the holiday classic, the theatre will keep the lights and sound low and offer sensory support, including a quiet area in the theater.  They have developed a sensory guide for the performance and a social narrative overview which includes photos and explanations about what to expect when you visit McCaw Hall. Guests are also welcome to bring tablets, headphones, or other electronic devices, as well as any other items that may offer sensory support. 

 

Click here to purchase tickets! 

On the Third Thursday of every month, KidsQuest Museum in Bellevue offers a free museum experience for individuals or families with sensory sensitivities from 3:00pm-5:00pm. Low Sensory Afternoons offers an environment for exploration, play, and learning for children with autism and/or sensory processing disorders. During this time, the museum will lower lights and ambient noise, and limit museum attendance that creates an inviting, reduced sensory space that is open to any and all children with special needs and their families. 

For more information and to register, visit their website.

Halloween is almost here! Get your costumes ready for some fun Halloween activities around the Seattle area. We have included a list with some sensory friendly Halloween activities for the whole family.

For more information, please make sure to check the website for each event listed below.

Seattle’s Children Halloween 2023

Boo Bash, Hands On Museum

Pumpkin Bash, Woodland Park Zoo

Gina Damilano, a Research Study Assistant in the READi Lab, is getting married in 10 days!  The lab celebrated this happy occasion with a luncheon-shower.  For added fun, Gina was adorned with a toilet-paper wedding dress (a 2-minute creation).  We know Gina will be a beautiful bride (particularly in her actual wedding dress) and wish her much happiness in her soon-to-be married life!

Ann is currently a senior at the University of Washington studying Psychology. She has a heart for children experiencing challenges and hopes to work as a psychologist and be a part of their journey. Before joining the READi Lab, Ann gained experience in the EEU at UW, which confirmed her interest in children’s overall well-being and mental health. Ann is from South Korea and hopes to bring diversity and equity to every environment. She loves to boulder and go hiking with her friends, enjoying the Washington vibe. Ann is excited to learn more about early autism research and continue to gain experience in clinical psychology. 

The READi Lab and friends said a bitter-sweet goodbye to our amazing postdoctoral fellow Daina Tagavi. Over the past two years she has played an integral role in numerous research projects — Sprout, RISE, ASF, and OAR – and demonstrated her talent in the development, adaptation, and implementation of assessments and interventions for individuals with ASD. We have all been inspired by her compassion and commitment to helping children with autism and their families. Daina is continuing her work at the University of Washington as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry. We will miss her dearly! 

Emily Britsch is our new READi Lab postdoctoral fellow. She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Rochester, where she worked in research labs studying autism and language development. Emily received her PhD in Clinical & Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, and she completed her predoctoral internship at HealthPoint, a community health center in Auburn, WA. Emily’s research interests include communicative development, the effects of parent-mediated interventions on children’s social communication, and implementation of early autism assessment and intervention with community providers to increase access to services for children with autism and their families. We are thrilled to have her join the READiLab team!

Jackson Keener began his journey with the READiLab as a student research assistant in September 2022. He quickly became a pivotal part of our team, especially for his work on the RISE research project. He graduated from UW in June 2023 with a BS in Economics and Pre-Med, and continued to work in the lab over the summer. We have appreciated his ‘can do’ attitude, flexibility, and sense of humor, and miss him already. We wish you all the best in your new adventures, Jackson, as well as your success in medical school!   

Pacific Science Center is offering a free visit for individuals or families with sensory sensitivities on Sunday August 27th from 8:00-10:00 am. Guests will be able to experience exhibits outside of the public hours without heavy crowds, with softened general lighting and with decreased noise level and visual stimulation.  

Tickets will be available at the entrance. Online ticket reservations are not available for this event.  

To learn more, visit their website. 

MoPOP is offering a free Sensory-Friendly Program on August 26th, 2023, from 8:00-10:00am. Families will have the opportunity to experience the museum with lowered volume and light levels. Once registered for the event, MoPOP will send guests a social story, a map of the museum, and an activity schedule, ensuring that families know what to expect during their visit. For more information and to register, visit their website.  

Sofia Helmle has worked with us in the READi Lab as an undergraduate research assistant for the past 2 years, and has been invaluable to our research activities. Last month she graduated from UW with a Bachelor’s degree, and will soon be starting a Master’s program in Philosophy and Education at Teacher’s College, Columbia University, in New York City.

Sofia’s activities in our lab have included survey development and deployment, behavioral coding, and conducting focus groups to guide the development of informational materials about autism for families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She helped caregivers and providers feel heard and respected, which has enhanced our subsequent research. We will miss her enthusiastic and positive manner, the thoughtful perspectives she brought to her work, and her willingness to dive headfirst into any task or activity!

Congratulations, Sofia- and we will miss you!!

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Last week we celebrated the many contributions that John Hershberger has made to the READi Lab. After working with us for 6.5 years as a Research Coordinator, John is heading off to a new adventure! John has been pivotal to numerous research projects we’ve conducted — including SRT, Pathways, and Sprout – especially for his talent in managing our study databases. We have enjoyed his dedication, flexibility, and calm demeanor, and wish him the best in his future endeavors!

Catherine Dick, Ph.D. has officially completed her training in UW’s Clinical Psychology program! Catherine began our program in 2016 and has been a valuable member of the READi Lab. After finishing her clinical internship at OHSU, she will return to Seattle to begin a postdoctoral fellowship at Seattle Children’s Autism Center, conducting research on community implementation of evidence-based interventions. We look forward to having her back in the area! 

READiLab research assistants Karla Uroza and Gina Damilano recently had a wonderful visit with Sanchia Fernandes, a talented research assistant from the Michigan State University site of the RISE study.  This study brings researchers together from across the country to investigate the use of Reciprocal Imitation Teaching (RIT) within Part C Early Intervention systems. RIT is a play-based approach that provides parent coaching strategies designed to improve children’s social communication.  

“Meeting with Sanchia in person was such a joy! We instantly connected and were able to deepen our bond beyond our virtual collaboration. I hope we can visit her and other researchers on the project in the future.”  

To learn more about the RISE Research Network click here.  

Happy Father’s Day from the UW READi Lab team! Wishing all the amazing dads out there a day filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with your little ones. Your dedication and support make a world of difference in their lives. Thank you for being superheroes in the journey of fatherhood!

AMC Theatres has partnered with the Autism Society to offer “Sensory Friendly Films” for individuals or families with sensory sensitivities. Each month they offer unique movie showings where children with a variety of sensory challenges have the opportunity to get up, dance, walk, shout, or sing in an accepting and comfortable setting!  

“Sensory Friendly Film Showings” occur on the 2nd and 4th Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of each month.  

To learn more, visit their website and to reserve tickets check in with your local theater for specific showtimes.  

Pump It Up Lynnwood has designed a special play session called “Sensory Jump“ for individuals or families with sensory sensitivities. Once per month, they offer children with a variety of sensory challenges the opportunity to jump, slide and play sensory-friendly games in a safe, quiet, and controlled atmosphere.  

“Sensory Jump” evenings occur on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, from 6:30-7:45pm. Play areas are reserved for children and their families.  

To learn more, visit their website and to reserve tickets follow this link.