Recent News

• Where kids thrive

  On any given morning, at the Haring Center’s Experimental Education Unit (EEU) at the University of Washington (UW), you might see what Lia Soneson describes: “a group of boisterous, happy kids with a huge range of needs and abilities and all the teachers working together seamlessly integrating learning, fun and exploration throughout.”  Indeed, you might see a speech therapist kneeling beside a child at the sensory table, a teacher adapting a lesson in real-time for three different learning styles, and a group of kindergarteners laughing together at story time. Some using words, others gestures, all equally engaged. This is where education stops being about fitting children into systems and starts being about building systems around children.  The Soneson Family. Left to right: Lia, Svea, Björn and Olin. For Lia and her daughter Svea, diagnosed with Potocki-Lupski Syndrome (PTLS), the path to the EEU was paved by years of collaborative care. “With new diagnoses every few months and major medical hurdles, we had to become experts on Svea when no doctors were. The therapists at Boyer Clinic, our incredible pediatrician, and specialists at Seattle Children’s helped us tackle each challenge one day at a time.”  When they toured the EEU, Lia felt the culmination of that support network expanding. “[My husband and I] both had tears in our eyes seeing how supportive and caring the environment was. Every single person we talked to and saw interacting with the kids was patient, kind and so supportive.” At the EEU, Svea found not just another program, but a community that deepened what her therapies had built.  A philosophy of flexibility  This commitment to meeting children where they are doesn’t just exist in theory at the EEU, it’s lived daily by educators like Pete Hoff (MEd, ’16, Early Childhood Special Education). A veteran kindergarten teacher, Pete embodies the program’s core belief: “We never have to say, ‘We can’t support this child.’” He shares a story about a student who delighted in flicking the classroom lights on and off, a moment that, to some, might seem like a mere distraction. But Pete and his team chose to look deeper. They saw a spark of curiosity, a child exploring their environment in a way that felt meaningful to them. Rather than redirecting the behavior, they embraced it with empathy and creativity, weaving it into the classroom routine by inviting the student to be in charge of the lights during transitions. This simple shift sent a powerful message: you belong here, just as you are. This is how every lesson unfolds at the EEU — with flexibility. In a single morning circle, one child may sing along, another points to pictures to communicate, while a third takes breaks when needed. Each child is engaging with the same concepts in the way that suits them best. Teachers move with quiet intention, seamlessly adapting materials, shifting activities and celebrating every form of participation. There’s no single “right” way to engage, only the deeply held belief that when we honor how children naturally learn, real growth follows.  The impact is tangible. Lia has watched Svea blossom. “She has grown so much this year, and is really comprehending so much more,” she says. She recalls a moment early in the school year: “One of the first few weeks of school, I popped into the observation room… Teacher Pete came over and put his hands low to the ground and said, ‘it’s time to wash your hands, Svea!’ Then he just waited with his hands down there for about 10 seconds… Seeing the kindness and patience of that moment made me immediately start crying.” Evidence in action The kind of inclusion families like Lia’s experience at the EEU didn’t happen by accident. It’s built on decades of research and innovation from the Haring Center. Since the 1970s, researchers there have been asking bold questions and developing some of the most trusted approaches in special education. From teaching children with Down syndrome to read when few believed it was possible, to creating Project DATA — an inclusive, school-based model for young children with autism — their work has consistently reshaped what education can look like. Tools like the Building Blocks framework have given teachers across the country practical ways to adapt classrooms so that every child can learn and participate fully.  At the EEU, that research comes to life in everyday moments, particularly in classrooms where flexibility is the norm and every child is seen as capable. As Principal Chris Matsumoto explains, “Creating a community where everyone is valued and there is a true sense of belonging requires a commitment to inclusion and equity from staff, families and children. It is the commitment, passion and hope of the community that makes inclusion possible at the EEU and beyond.” EEU student Svea playing. Indeed, that sense of belonging is something Lia sees in her daughter every day. Svea lights up when the bus arrives in the morning, and comes home eager to share her world. “When we got the school photo, she spent so long looking at everyone, pointing them all out, trying to say their names. I think she loves observing her peers, and she learns from each of them,” Lia says. These connections don’t just happen; they’re made possible by a classroom designed to welcome and celebrate each child. As Teacher Pete puts it, “Everyone, no matter how they participate, is a valued part of our classroom community.” Redefining what’s possible As Svea prepares to transition to a new school, Lia reflects on how meaningful this year has been for their family. “We wish the EEU went through grade five, but are thankful to have had one year,” she says. “The sense of security, support, inclusion and care Svea feels at the EEU is a great foundation that we hope she carries with her into elementary school and beyond.” Pete sees this transition as part of their mission: “As a training site for future teachers, the EEU’s role is to model …

• 2025 Haring Center Auction: Camp Inclusion – Recap

  The end of Camp Inclusion is bittersweet—but our hearts are full. Something powerful happened under the tent on Saturday, May 10th, 2025. Our community came together—not just to raise their paddles, but to raise their voices for a vision of the world where every child belongs. We had set an ambitious goal: to raise $775,000 to support inclusive education at the Haring Center and beyond. Together, you helped us raise over $1,025,000. That’s more than a number—it’s a resounding affirmation of our shared values. Haring Center Director, Dr. Kathleen Artman Meeker opened the night with a message we all felt deeply: “At the Haring Center, inclusion means everyone belongs and that everyone gets what they need. Equity means we value one another and we show it. We fight unfairness together and we take care of one another. We believe that diversity of thought, background, and ability helps us learn and makes us stronger, and accessibility doesn’t just help some, it makes the world better for everyone. These beliefs have shaped our work for decades, but right now they’re being tested. Across the country, we’re seeing threats to inclusive education. Debates and decisions that question whether every child truly does belong.” She reaffirmed the Haring Center’s commitment to our vision and values, and told our community, “Your presence here, your support, your belief in this work is powerful. And it’s joyful. And it builds a better future for all children.” Highlights from the evening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2gYh9Dm46I&t=3s Champion for Inclusion: Dr. Ilene Schwartz (Shelter Films) | Watch here Photos from the Event (Captured by Dougal Brownlie) | View gallery Remarks from Haring Center Director, Dr. Kathleen Artman Meeker | Watch here Katrina Davis’ Powerful Story About Her Son, Arthur | Watch here Thank you for being part of our community! Special thanks to the 2025 Haring Center Auction Co-chairs: Lissa Dickenson and Ann Pedack

• Fund the Future – 2025 Haring Center Auction: Camp Inclusion

  Discover the life-changing power of inclusive education at the University of Washington’s Haring Center’s Experimental Education Unit (EEU). Through the eyes of families and students, this video shows how every child—regardless of ability—can thrive in a community built on compassion, connection, and opportunity. Thank you to Shelter Films, https://www.shelterfilms.org/, for their videography. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2gYh9Dm46I