Nonprofit offers activities, meetings, and resources to those affected by ASD.
Updated
Families and supporters will again gather for the annual Autism Community Day this Saturday, Sept. 19. The event will be staged from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grant County Courthouse and include a hike to the Autism Ribbon on Beasley Hill overlooking Ephrata. File photos by Randy Bracht
EPHRATA — The Autism Support Group of Grant County will host its annual Autism Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grant County Courthouse.
Organizers say the free event is “a day for everyone – autism families, friends, neighbors, and community members – to come together, make connections, enjoy some fun activities, and celebrate the unique individuals who make our community stronger.”
Community resource providers will be on hand with information about services and support.
Free activities include bounce houses for kids, face painting by Kimmy’s Kloset, do-it-yourself tie-dye shirts, and a photo booth provided by Fun Factory. Participants can visit with area first responders and the Grant County Sheriff’s Posse.
For the more active, the event concludes with a group hike from the courthouse to the Autism Ribbon overlooking Ephrata on Beasley Hill.
Event sponsors include The Bookery, Columbia Basin Chiropractic Care, Columbia Basin-Keller Williams Realty, Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3338, Granco Federal Credit Union, Jacobsen Dental, and Washington Trust Bank.
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental condition which affects how a person communicates, behaves, and interacts with others. ASD symptoms can include repetitive behaviors and varied sensory perceptions. Early interventions such as speech and occupational therapies and behavioral strategies can improve daily life skills.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 36 children is affected by autism. Families can feel a sense of isolation due to their child’s special needs, and outings and activities can be very challenging.
The Autism Support Group of Grant County is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide compassionate support, activities, and resources to families. It hosts regular sessions for parents and caregivers to connect, share experiences, and encourage one another.
Those gatherings include:
— a coffee hour held on the fourth Monday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cup of Joy Café, 430 E. Division Ave. in Ephrata;
— an evening support group which gathers on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Ephrata School District transportation office, 340 Seventh Ave. N.W.
Other activities have included “Movie Days” hosted at Fairchild Cinemas in Moses Lake, gym days, pizza nights, horseback rides, community spaghetti feeds, and a pool party at the Splash Zone aquatic center in Ephrata.
Those opportunities have been appreciated by participants.
“Thank you for creating a space where families feel understood, included, and welcome,” one commenter wrote on Facebook.
Youngsters enjoy one of the bounce houses featured at the 2025 Autism Community Day in Ephrata.
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Autism Support Group to host annual Community Day
Nonprofit offers activities, meetings, and resources to those affected by ASD.
EPHRATA — The Autism Support Group of Grant County will host its annual Autism Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grant County Courthouse.
Organizers say the free event is “a day for everyone – autism families, friends, neighbors, and community members – to come together, make connections, enjoy some fun activities, and celebrate the unique individuals who make our community stronger.”
Community resource providers will be on hand with information about services and support.
Free activities include bounce houses for kids, face painting by Kimmy’s Kloset, do-it-yourself tie-dye shirts, and a photo booth provided by Fun Factory. Participants can visit with area first responders and the Grant County Sheriff’s Posse.
For the more active, the event concludes with a group hike from the courthouse to the Autism Ribbon overlooking Ephrata on Beasley Hill.
Event sponsors include The Bookery, Columbia Basin Chiropractic Care, Columbia Basin-Keller Williams Realty, Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3338, Granco Federal Credit Union, Jacobsen Dental, and Washington Trust Bank.
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental condition which affects how a person communicates, behaves, and interacts with others. ASD symptoms can include repetitive behaviors and varied sensory perceptions. Early interventions such as speech and occupational therapies and behavioral strategies can improve daily life skills.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 36 children is affected by autism. Families can feel a sense of isolation due to their child’s special needs, and outings and activities can be very challenging.
The Autism Support Group of Grant County is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide compassionate support, activities, and resources to families. It hosts regular sessions for parents and caregivers to connect, share experiences, and encourage one another.
Those gatherings include:
— a coffee hour held on the fourth Monday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cup of Joy Café, 430 E. Division Ave. in Ephrata;
— an evening support group which gathers on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Ephrata School District transportation office, 340 Seventh Ave. N.W.
Other activities have included “Movie Days” hosted at Fairchild Cinemas in Moses Lake, gym days, pizza nights, horseback rides, community spaghetti feeds, and a pool party at the Splash Zone aquatic center in Ephrata.
Those opportunities have been appreciated by participants.
“Thank you for creating a space where families feel understood, included, and welcome,” one commenter wrote on Facebook.