About Us
The Panhandle Autism Society (PAS) is a non-profit organization serving Idaho’s five northern counties. We are a chapter of the Autism Society of America and a United Way Agency of Kootenai County. A local, volunteer board of directors runs our organization. There are no fees to become a member of the Panhandle Autism Society. We have over one hundred members. We offer the following services:
Information and Referral – We are available by phone, e-mail or in person to answer questions about local, regional or national autism service or information.
Community Education – We host a web site that is updated quarterly with autism information and a list of local activities. This site also includes a listing of local activities with e-mail updates and a chat room for group members. PAS sponsor yearly workshops on various topics related to autism. These are advertised to group members and the public and offered at minimal cost. Finally, we regularly collaborated with local providers in order to increase the availability and expertise of local services.
Family and Individual Support – PAS has a monthly Parent Support Group in Coeur d’Alene and Autism Support Groups in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry. Adults and parents of children with autism make up the majority of our board.
Our Mission
The Panhandle Autism Society wishes to enhance the lives of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder in Idaho’s five northern counties. We seek not to eradicate autism, but to alleviate the suffering associated with autism spectrum disorders. We believe this happens through: 1) Enhancing local services to help individuals with autism better function in their lives; 2) Educating the community about autism spectrum disorders to lessen the prejudice towards and ignorance about these individuals in our community.