WAAA staff is here to support you!

Although our physical offices are currently closed, we have staff working remotely to serve you!

Contact us by calling: 425-894-7231 or email us at: info@washingtonautismadvocacy.org 

We are closed between 12/24/2020 and 01/03/2021!

We will respond to your emails after 01/03/2021 info@washingtonautismadvocacy.org 
Happy Holidays!

Who We Are

    Our Mission

    Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy (WAAA) extends access to healthcare, education and services for people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD’s) & related intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Washington State.
    Who we are?

    Vision

    All families in Washington State have the resources they need to support the well-being of loved ones with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.

    Values

    Calm, confident competence.
    Creative, cutting-edge advocacy.
    Nimble, flexible and responsive service.
    Company Founded
    2007
    Total Members
    5900

    Why
    Choose Us?

    WAAA is the nation’s only legal advocate for people with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities to access healthcare and education regardless of ability to pay.
    We have a highly successful track record of legislative advocacy.
    We’ve opened access to service for nearly 10,000 clients directly and ensured rights to coverage for over 58,000.
    Our staff has specialized training and personal experience with autism and developmental disabilities, giving us practical and empathetic expertise.


    How far we've come

    WAAA started in 2007 with only four members who had children with autism and wanted to fight for their right to autism health benefits. Three years and 800 members later, we successfully achieved health care coverage for all of them through Washington state insurance. We also had several other wins for individuals covered by private insurers.

    Our efforts have helped more than 12,000 Washington residents secure autism coverage to pay for vital therapies that would otherwise cost a family $25,000 to $50,000 per year.

    Today we provide Insurance, Family Resource and Education Navigation to an average of 3,000 member families a year, in every County in Washington. We continue to lobby for social change and improved public policies on behalf of children and adults with autism. We are a mighty but very small team of fierce advocates and need your help to continue to make the impact we are making statewide.

    Our Funding Sources

    Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy is a not-for-profit organization with a 14 person staff, 7 of them part-time. We provide a broad range of pro bono Insurance, Family Resource and education navigation and advocacy services to families of children with ASD/DD.

    Roughly 90% of our work is paid for by Shayan's Fund, a legislative budget proviso combined with a grant both restricted to insurance navigation and insurance appeals. Our low overhead costs are covered by small private donations.

    Law requires that we use Shayan's Fund only for health law advocacy and health-related supports. This leaves WAAA uncompensated for the many other vital services that our staff provides, often times on their own time. These include comprehensive and in-depth family case management, special education navigation and advocacy, technical support to providers and agencies on health, insurance and education policies to improve access to services for ASD/DD statewide and taking on systems reform to improve autism provider capacity to address pervasive waiting lists faced by low income children and families that can be up to 4 years. We seek to sustain these vital services through direct donor funding.

    Impact & 
    Growth Strategy


    Washington State has an estimated 130,000 children, youth, adolescents and adults living with ASD, with nearly half of them from low-income families. We want every one of them, rich or poor, to have an equal chance to thrive and succeed in life. With your support, WAAA can:

    • Expand individual and systemic legal advocacy in healthcare and education through partnerships and a flexible fee structure.
    • Eliminate barriers to care through legal, legislative and grassroots partnerships.
    • Empower individuals and families through a network of social support and self-advocacy.
    • Pilot and scale training programs for primary care and behavioral health providers.

    Thanks to the generosity of people like you, this is what WAAA has been able to accomplish in the past year:

    • Empowered 3,200 families through counseling, trainings and resources to secure treatment funding through private insurance and to secure effective services in public schools throughout the state.
    • Made headway with the Office of Insurance Commissioner to issue regulations on how insurance companies should address external appeals.
    • Advocated for better training and a career path for para-educators.
    • Advocated for over 1.5 million dollars in funding developmental and autism screening for toddlers suspected of having autism.

    We could not do this without your support and donation! Your willingness to support and honor those with Autism will change the world! Thanks for being part of something bigger than all of us! – Arzu Forough, President & CEO

    Help children with ASD thrive
    Give online
    DONATE

    Our Founder

    Ms. Forough brings over 20 years of experience in training and development to her position, including leadership development, government relations and non-profit management.In 2007 she founded Washington Autism Alliance and Advocacy, developed the “Autism IEP supplement: Best Practice Guidelines for educating students with autism”. Her IEP supplement as well as guidelines for training teachers was legally adopted by the Washington State legislature in 2008 and became the requirement for all teachers working with learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders statewide.

    Arzu introduced Shayan’s Law, Autism Insurance Parity to the Washington State legislature, petitioned the state Health technology Assessment of evidence based treatment of autism and ignited multiple legal actions that have clarified state and federal laws mandating insurance benefits for those with autism and other developmental disabilities.
    Arzu Forough with son Shayan Forough
    PRESIDENT / CEO
    Arzu Forough
    With her son
    Shayan

    Our Staff

    Our team of fierce staff and volunteer advocates form the backbone of our service and advocacy efforts.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Andrea Elderkin

    Family Services Manager

    Andrea Elderkin is originally from Brazil and moved to the US in 2007 to start a family with her husband who is born and raised in Seattle.

    Read more

    With a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Master’s in Logistics Management, she worked in the Computer Software Industry in Corporate and Startup environments. Andrea’s relationship with WAAA started in 2010, when her daughter was diagnosed with autism and she looked for help to secure insurance coverage for treatment. In 2012 her family’s story of hope was published on the WAAA website, and you can read it here. She understands what it is like to raise a child on the spectrum and is eager to support the community.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Leah Winter

    Family Services Navigator

    Leah is from a small town in Ontario, Canada. She has been involved in direct support of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities since 2008.

    Read more

    Leah completed her Undergraduate Degree in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario in 2014 and continued her education with a post-graduate diploma in Behavioural Science in 2016. Leah has experience in Intensive Behavioural Intervention, group home settings, community support, family support and case management. Leah is currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology. Leah brings a caring and compassionate approach when supporting families to access the resources they need.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Amy Schley

    Paralegal

    Amy Schley has both personal and professional experience advocating for students with special needs in the public school system. As a parent, Amy has learned how to advocate for her own child and has gained extensive knowledge on how to effectively handle disagreements with the IEP team.

    Read more

    As a paralegal, she provides non-legal supports to families such as helping parents problem solve and communicate more effectively with the IEP team. Amy will refer families to resources and support with other agencies when necessary. Amy also assists our staff attorneys, in legal research, initial drafting of correspondence, and other general legal support for the health law cases we take on.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Aspen White

    Data & Technology Associate

    Aspen holds a Masters in Information Technology Management.
    She has professional experience working with non-profit organizations to improve outcomes for individuals with autism and other disabilities.

    Read more

    Since her son was diagnosed with autism in 2014, Aspen has dedicated her life to advocating for individuals on the spectrum.

    She is excited to use her technical and managerial skills to contribute to WAAA’s mission.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Elena Saygo

    Web Development Specialist

    Elena moved to Washington State in 2015 and decided to follow her passion for building and developing websites.

    Read more

    Born in Romania, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics.
    She then moved to Ireland, where she pursued an ACCA degree and worked in financial services.
    Currently, she lends her expertise to WAAA to support our robust, member-driven website.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Nicole Paxton

    Investment and Partnerships Officer

    Nicole is born and raised in Sacramento California. She received her Bachelors degree at Boise State University where she majored in Communications and Public Relations.

    Read more

    At Boise State University, she found a passion for nonprofits and has been working for the past five year for different human services organizations. She has professional experience with nonprofits in fundraising, grant management, and event coordination.

    Nicole is using her skills for Investments and Partnerships at WAAA to continue organizational growth.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Kimberleigh Becholt

    Community Engagement Associate
    Kimberleigh grew up in Metro Detroit, Michigan. She received her bachelor's degree at The Ohio State University where she majored Psychology and minored in Neuroscience and Art. She is currently finishing her Master’s in Nonprofit Management at Northeastern University.
    Read more

    Kimberleigh got her start in the nonprofit field as a volunteer for The Friendship Circle while in high school. She has since been involved in fundraising and event planning capacities within the cancer community during the course of her undergraduate and professional career. Kimberleigh is excited to share her experience and educational background with WAAA.

    In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, hiking, painting, reading, and sailing when the weather permits it. She also has two pet tortoises named Clyde and Slightly.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Jack Conley

    Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator

    Jack Conley was born and raised in the Greater Seattle Area and returned here in January 2020 after 3 years away completing his master's degree in New York City. Jack found WAAA by complete (but fortunate!) chance and joined the team soon after his move.

    Read more

    As a young professional with ASD, Jack is passionate about WAAA's mission and eager to help serve the community. Jack’s duties as Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator include providing operational, logistical and administrative support to WAAA staff in a variety of areas, as well as managing WAAA’s volunteer program.

    Jack comes to WAAA from a background in psychology, theatre, and nonprofit work. He has worked and volunteered in mental health, social services, and administration. Jack holds a Masters in Health Administration from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health (2019), and a BA in Psychology and Theatre Arts from the University of Puget Sound (2017).

    In his free time, Jack enjoys singing, reading, swimming, writing, and playing board games.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Jim Angell

    Director of Legal Services

    Jim’s legal practice spans a decade and several practice areas, including health and disability law, business law, litigation and policy advocacy. Jim has worked in government, nonprofit and private settings, including building a small firm, and is delighted to lead WAAA’s legal team.

    Read more

    After earning his bachelor’s in psychology, Jim provided social services and therapeutic activities in long-term care facilities serving people with severe mental and physical disabilities. He went to law school to become a stronger advocate for people with disabilities and found a home at the public defender’s office representing indigent persons accused of crimes, many of whom lived with disabilities. For the past five years, Jim has built a litigation and business law office helping small businesses navigate disputes, government regulations and commercial transactions while always maintaining a volunteer caseload serving our communities’ most vulnerable. Jim’s unique blend of advocacy, policy and leadership experience aligns superbly with his mission-driven ethos here at WAAA.

     

    Jim coordinates and leads WAAA’s statewide direct legal services program. The legal team advocates on behalf of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to secure access to necessary services such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) and mental health services. These efforts range from legal representation in appeals of private and public insurance benefits to special education advocacy. The team also works diligently to expand the program’s reach and impact through policy advocacy on systemic healthcare and education issues affecting WAAA’s members.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Romina Garcete de Coronel

    Intake Screener

    Romina was born in Asuncion, Paraguay. She worked for 10 years for the Primary Level, Child and Adolescent, and Civil and Commercial Courts in Paraguay. She went to Law School, and received her Bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in 2006. In 2007, she moved to Seattle with her husband to start a new life. She came to the USA with no English and started to learn the language at Bellevue College

    Read more

    She has three kids, and teaches them to speak Spanish. In 2019, she got a certificate in Translation from
    Bellevue College.
    Romina speaks three languages, Spanish, Guarani and English. Currently, she is volunteering as a Legal
    Translator at Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and she wants to use her acquired skills at WAAA to
    connect people, and overcome the obstacles between languages.
    She loves to make new friends and enjoys spending time volunteering at her kids’ school. Romina loves
    outdoor activities. She and her family always say yes to new adventures.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Dr. Rajakumari Chellappa, PhD

    Quality Assurance Program Manager

    Dr. Chellappa brings in 12 years of experience in project management.

    Read more

    She previously worked in Green Energy sector and here in WAAA as a Quality Assurance Program Manager, she manages Grant based projects since the fall of 2018. As a part of WAAA, Raji is excited to embrace this opportunity and look for all of the ways to initiate positive change. In her spare time, she loves going on hikes, travelling and watching soccer with her family.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Arzu Forough

    President / CEO

    Ms. Forough brings over 20 years of experience in training and development to her position, including leadership development, government relations and non-profit management.

    Read more

    In 2007 she founded Washington Autism Alliance and Advocacy, developed the “Autism IEP supplement: Best Practice Guidelines for educating students with autism”. Her IEP supplement as well as guidelines for training teachers was legally adopted by the Washington State legislature in 2008 and became the requirement for all teachers working with learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders statewide.

    Arzu introduced Shayan’s Law, Autism Insurance Parity to the Washington State legislature, petitioned the state Health technology Assessment of evidence based treatment of autism and ignited multiple legal actions that have clarified state and federal laws mandating insurance benefits for those with autism and other developmental disabilities.

    Arzu designs, implements and manages local, statewide and national projects as well as provides technical assistance to agencies, providers and families on current insurance, education and social service practices and strategies.

    Board of Directors

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Larry Blasko

    Board Chair

    Larry Blasko is Chief Revenue Officer at Apptio, where he led sales through its growth from venture-backed startup to successful IPO and then acquisition several years later. He is a parent of a child on the autism spectrum.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Aparna Prasad

    Vice Chair

    Aparna is a business leader with over 15 years of experience running multi-billion-dollar categories and launching breakthrough innovations in the consumer retail/restaurant space.
    She is currently the director of product innovation at Starbucks, leading equipment innovation and automation programs to build the store of the future.
    Aparna is on the advisory board for AIIM Partners; a venture fund focused on sustainability investments. She is a strong advocate for children with disabilities.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Valerie Kelly

    Secretary

    Valerie Kelly, a wholesale account executive, small business owner, retail buyer, and manager, left her
    career to pursue her long-held interests of advocacy work for families of children with autism and volunteer work for her community and beyond.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Keith Foe

    Treasurer / CFO

    Keith Foe, CFA®, CFP®, CPA, CLU®, ChFC®, is a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. The Network's mission is to develop enduring relationships with clients by providing expert guidance for a lifetime of financial security. Keith teaches a course on Not for Profit account at Seattle U.

    Andrea Elderkin prefile photo

    Anna Kakos

    Managing Director

    Anna Kakos is
    Managing Director, Corporate Counsel at Starbucks Corporation. She is a commercial attorney with emphasis on marketing, advertising and social media law.

    Advisory Board Members

    Raphael Bernier, PhD, LP

    Raphael Bernier is Associate Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Director, Seattle Children’s Autism Center; Associate Director, Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington. He works on national standards of care for the medical assessment and treatment of ASD.

    Cindy Blasko

    Cindy Blasko is a nurse specializing in training stakeholder groups to overcome communications barriers with individuals on the autism spectrum, informed by her personal experience as a parent to her son on the spectrum. Her husband, Larry serves on the WAAA board.

    Charles A Cowan, MD

    Charles A Cowan is Emeritus Clinical Professor, Dept of Pediatrics UW School of Medicine Clinical Director, Seattle Children’s Autism Center Pediatrician, Neurodevelopmental Program.

    searchclosearrow-upphoneenvelopephonemap-marker
    WP Feedback

    Dive straight into the feedback!
    Login below and you can start commenting using your own user instantly

    linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram