Inclusion of information about Autism organizations, providers, publications, services, programs and products on our web site does NOT constitute any agreement, sponsorship, endorsement or warranty of any kind by the FEAT of Oregon.

History of FEAT

FEAT of Oregon was founded in February of 1995 by a small group of parents seeking to improve early intervention services in the State of Oregon. One of FEAT's first activities was to organize "new member" orientation meetings so parents of recently diagnosed children with autism could go observe a home program and obtain information and ideas about running home programs. FEAT then worked on developing a lending library so parents could share resources and learning materials. Then FEAT focused on developing relationships with local universities so parents would have a constant pool of student labor to minimize the costs of a home program. FEAT began monthly educational meetings to provide the most current and "best" research based techniques for treating autism.

In October of 1995 several members of FEAT visited UCLA to explore the possibility of obtaining a replication site in the state of Oregon. A committee of 10 parents organized an international conference featuring Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas in June of 1996 to raise $50,000 for the local replication site. The conference drew over 700 people from the U.S., Canada, and the Pacific Rim. Proceeds from the conference were used to provide initial funding for the Northwest Young Autism Project in Vancouver Washington, operating under the direction of Dr. Tristram Smith and Shawn Horn. The Project opened in 1996 but lost Dr. Smith in 2000 upon his move to the east coast.

In 1997 FEAT also participated in the promotion and production of the first Princeton Child Development Institute (PCDI) Teleconference, which drew attendees to over 40 sites across the U.S. and Canada. The purpose of the interactive teleconference was to transfer some of PCDI's expertise to professionals in the field of autism throughout the country.

In January of 1998 FEAT of Oregon published their first parent guide providing a valuable resource guide for parents seeking effective treatment options for their child with autism. FEAT of Oregon then distributed the handbook throughout Oregon in an effort to educate the community.

In 1999, FEAT held another international conference, featuring Dr. Richard Foxx, Patricia Krantz, John Jacobson, James Mulick, Gary Mayerson, and Bridget Taylor. Again, this conference was organized entirely by a committee of parents. This conference drew approximately 400 people from the US and the Pacific Rim. Proceeds from the conference benefitted the Northwest Young Autism Project, Child Development School of Oregon, and FEAT of Oregon itself.

What is FEAT of Oregon?

FEAT is a non-profit organization of parents and professionals, whose mission is to help families with children who have received a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. It offers a network of support where families can meet each other and discuss issues surrounding autism and treatment options. As an organization, FEAT strives to help each child with autism maximize his/her potential. FEAT has a Board of Directors that meets monthly to discuss issues, establish priorities and provide direction for the organization.

Each quarter a newsletter is published which contains current news and events. FEAT of Oregon has a lending library where families obtain information about autism and borrow teaching materials for their therapy programs.

FEAT also offers educational meetings, conferences, social events, workshops, and fundraising events. Membership participation in these activities is critical to the success of the organization.

FEAT of Oregon

FEAT (Families for Early Autism Treatment) of OREGON is a nonprofit organization of parents of children with autism. Our goal is to assist families who have chosen an intensive early intervention program by providing a variety of resources and support. FEAT advocates an intensive Early Intervention Program based on the methods and principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis.

FEAT honors a parent's right to choose intervention strategies that they consider appropriate and meaningful for their child. Intensive early behavioral intervention is one of many choices available. FEAT is dedicated to empowering and supporting parents so that they may be objective and critical when considering treatments and claims made on treatment outcomes. FEAT recognizes the unique ways autism affects individual children and similarly supports individualized treatment programs that:

• Uphold safety and respect for the child with autism;
• Provide scientific evidence supporting treatment outcomes;
• Provide evidence characterized by demonstration, objectivity,
  direct measurement, comparability with alternative treatments,
  controlled (experimental) research, and clinical and/or
  educational significance.

Mission Statement

FEAT of Oregon's purpose is to provide information and support to families with children with autism. Specific objectives include:

• Serve families in the State of Oregon.
• Promote and educate the Oregon community on the use of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)* as an effective treatment for children with autism.
• Educate the Oregon community on research-based educational and medical treatments for children with autism
• Network with other organizations to best serve families with children with autism

FEAT Goals

• Outreach into the community to increase awareness of behavioral treatments* for children with autism.
• Outreach to the medical, educational, and general community to aid in the early and appropriate identification of children with autism and to increase their awareness of effective treatment modalities.
• To assist parents in obtaining advocacy support to get appropriate services from private and public agencies for their children with autism
• To assist parents in obtaining behavioral therapists to work with their children with autism
• To obtain funds from private and public sources to achieve the goals listed above
• To support families with autistic children through educational meetings and parent networking.

FEAT of Oregon Activities

• Parent Networking
• Newsletter
• IEP & IFSP assistance
• Therapist Recruitment
• Training
• Fundraising
• Lending library
• Workshops/seminars
• Website: