• Currently working with NSSEO to educate local fire departments to better interact with autistic individuals in emergency situations.
• Participated with NSSEO program to establish local 911 database to provide information on individuals with autism in who reside or go to school in the area.
• Planned and conducted weekly summer camp program for 18 children with autism and their siblings.
• Established Annual Walk for PIFFA to raise funds and awareness.
• Paired parents  with note-takers for IEP meetings (more than 50 meetings so far in 2005-06 school year).
• Established Men's Group.
• Conducted panel discussion on IEP Protocol with local parents, teachers, therapists and administrators
• Raised funds through Doggie Biscuit sales for Chartwell School in New Orleans (damaged by Katrina)

PIFFA History

Pay It Forward For Autism is a grass roots organization formed in 2004 by a group of involved parents in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.  We are active members in a number of area support groups, but found that these groups, though helpful, still left us with questions and concerns.  How do we involve ourselves with the IEP process?  How can we advocate for our kids?  Is there a way to involve dads and address their concerns?  Is there some way to address unique concerns of siblings?  How can we build social networks for our kids?  These are just some of the things we came up with.  We started an informal alliance amongst ourselves, coaching each other on issues related to the child and school.  Through this activity we discovered that many issues are common among children and cut across district/school boundaries.  This was the seed for the foundation of Pay It Forward For Autism.  A walk was held in Spring 2005 to raise awareness and funds.  In summer 2005, with help from numerous volunteers including professionals, we developed and operated a weekly Fun Camp for our kids and their siblings.