Celebrating Strengths and Meeting Challenges Together
Serving Thurston, Mason and Grays Harbor Counties
The Diverse Abilities Autism Program (DAAP) supports autistic and neurodivergent children and their families with personalized, research-based strategies that help children grow and thrive.
We use a mix of proven approaches to meet each child’s unique needs. This may include help with communication, social-emotional skills, behavior support, creating routines and visual schedules at home, and coaching and empowering parents and caregivers every step of the way.
DAAP partners with our Early Support Program (birth–3) to support autistic and neurodivergent children and their families. DAAP team members provide consultations, autism screenings, specialized home and community visits, and work alongside your child’s providers to bring helpful strategies into everyday routines. They can also join Parent-Toddler Group to support social connections and skill building.
For children ages 3–14, DAAP continues through our Helping Parent Program, offering home and school support, classroom collaboration, and connections to helpful community resources.
We’re also excited to grow the program in the future by offering focused group opportunities for children and families.
Families that access DAAP support have received help with things such as:
•Play Skills
•Sleep
•Sensory support
•Joint engagement and attention
•Chaining and sequencing
•Self-regulation and behavior
•Toileting, body awareness and self-care
•Executive functioning skills
•Collaboration on classroom strategies
•Homeschooling strategies
•AND MORE!
Your child does not need to have a formal Autism diagnosis to access DAAP services. We work with families at all stages of the diagnosis journey, including those who are not pursuing a diagnosis. The DAAP program does not provide formal Autism diagnosis.
MEET OUR TEAM
Trish Byrne (She/Her)
MIT SPED, BA Speech and Hearing Sciences, ABA Grad Cert, Program Director, Certified Autism Specialist,
Developmental Specialist
(360)358-3741
Karen Huggins (She/Her)
Autism Resource Navigator
Jim Smith (He/Him)
MA SPED, MA Ed Admin,
Transition Coordinator, Certified Autism Specialist, IEP Specialist
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Justine Cantrell (She/Her)
BA, Special Education Teacher,
Developmental Specialist
Terris Donnelly (She/Her)
BA - Educational Studies,
Developmental Associate
Connect with us!
Our DAAP Mission
Through collaboration and family empowerment we strive to support neurodiverse and autistic children and their families in creating diverse learning pathways for lifelong success.