FEAT's Mission Statement

  • We believe children have a right to receive scientifically proven, best outcome treatment.
  • We know that every child benefits from receiving scientifically proven, best outcome treatment.
  • We believe that all individuals with autism have the right to have opportunities to meet their full potential.
  • We believe that society significantly benefits when individuals with autism are given the opportunities to reach their full potential.

Values

FEAT's Values

  • Children have a right to receive scientifically proven, best outcome treatment
  • Every child benefits from receiving scientifically proven, best outcome treatment
  • All individuals with autism have the right to opportunities to meet their full, unique potential
  • Society significantly benefits when individuals with autism are given the opportunity to reach their full, unique potential

What is FEAT?

What is FEAT

Families for Early Autism Treatment, Inc. (FEAT) is a non-profit organization of parents, family members, and treatment professionals, designed to help families with children of all ages who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which includes Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and Aspergers’ Disorder (AS). It offers a network of support where families can meet each other to discuss issues surrounding autism and treatment options. FEAT has a Board of Directors that meets monthly to discuss issues, establish priorities, and vote on the direction of the organization.

While Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong condition in which the needs of your child will change over time, there is hope for your child to live a fulfilled life with support and company of loved ones. Since 1993, FEAT families and supporters have worked hard to improve treatment resources and advocacy services; and effect changes in the minds of those who make program decisions for individuals with Autism and their families.

Begin your journey with us resolved to be an Autism treatment champion. Have confidence that through your commitment and hard work your family will successfully meet the challenges that a life including Autism brings. Show through example how highest quality treatment profoundly improves the life of the individual with Autism, their entire family and community.

WHAT DOES FEAT DO?

  • FEAT maintains a website
  • FEAT publishes a monthly newsletter
  • FEAT’s Parent Mentoring Program  – Veteran parents work with beginning parents individually to share the scientifically based roadmap of treatment and self-advocacy that has been successful for those who have walked the path previously.
  • FEAT monthly Family Resource Meeting – Held on the third Wednesday of the month., these meetings are planned to provide treatment and self-advocacy information.
  • FEAT has social and recreational events designed to give children opportunities to practice social skills in safe and typical environments, and to give family members a venue to enjoy each other’s company.

History of FEAT

  • FEAT was founded in 1993 by a group of parents and professionals who wanted to improve the early intervention services that were offered in the Sacramento area. Together they wrote grants and raised enough money to provide intensive early intervention training for parents and local professionals.
  • FEAT has assisted families to obtain intervention programs, speech programs, occupational therapy, and evaluations. In addition, FEAT has developed an active Advocacy Committee and Parent Mentor Program that assists families during the IEP, Planning Team Meetings, Fair Hearings, and Due Process Hearings.
  • FEAT has grown from a small, grass-roots organization to a program that serves over 600 children with ASD including Asperger’s Syndrome. It is now serving the entire population of children with autism from infant to children through high school. It is living up to its motto of “effective treatment for all children and young adults with autism.”
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  • In 1993, therapists from the UCLA Clinic for the Behavioral Treatment of Children started coming to the Sacramento area and provided training workshops to help the families in FEAT get started. As a result of these early workshops, there are now several professionals in the Sacramento area that can help families run programs.

  • Since 1993, over 100 children in Northern California have participated in Workshop and Clinic programs sponsored by FEAT and several providers of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services.

  • FEAT’s initial ability to provide these ABA Workshops was made possible by a grant in 1993 of $75,000 grant from the Sierra Health Foundation.

  • FEAT has held its annual “Night of Caring” fund-raising Dinner & Auction

  • FEAT has maintained since 1993 s monthly resource meeting

  • In 1994, FEAT sponsored State Autism Awareness Week and held its second Dinner Dance. The guest of honor was Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas Ph.D., Director of the UCLA Clinic for the Behavioral Treatment of Children.

  • In 1994, FEAT honored Dr. Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., Director of the Autism Research Institute. The annual “Night of Caring” continues to be FEAT’s main social and fund-raising event each year.

  • In 1995, FEAT established a Lending Library to provide information and materials to families involved in early intervention programs.

  • In 1994 and 1995, FEAT sponsored six (3 each year) student tutors to attend a summer training session at the UCLA clinic. As a result of this training, these tutors were able to return to Sacramento as Early Intervention Consultants to help direct home programs under the guidance of professional consultants.

  • In 1996, FEAT sponsored 13 local children to receive Early Autism Treatment from the UCLA Clinic.

  • Since 1997, FEAT sponsored the Capitol Autism Conference in Sacramento, bringing together national and international experts in the diagnosis, treatment, and services for children with autism.

  • The FEAT Daily Online Newsletter was established in 1997 providing access to information on current autism topics. It was distributed throughout the United States to over 8,000 subscribers.

  • Also in 1997 FEAT produced with video, “Doctor, My Child Doesn’t Talk” – The Importance of Early Autism Diagnosis. This video won the 1997 Autism Society of America’s award for excellence in video. Hundreds of copies of this video have been distributed throughout the United States and the world, to physicians, parents, and others involved in the early diagnosis of children with autism.

  • In 1997 FEAT applied for and received a $220,000 grant from the Department of Developmental Services for Project HOPE. Project HOPE was established to fund a program at UC Davis Medical Center to identify, treat, and ultimately cure autism. The UC Davis Medical Center program was later renamed The M.I.N.D. Institute for the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. It is now one of the leading research institutions on the West Coast.

  • In 2000, FEAT was fortunate to have students from California State University, Sacramento, develop a poster identifying early signs of autism. This poster has been distributed to local pediatricians and family practice physicians, to be placed in exam rooms alerting parents about autism. Several hundred posters have been distributed to local doctors.