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Appendix 1: History of FEAT

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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.