AST MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the Autism Society of Tacoma is to promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community.

Education, advocacy, public awareness efforts and the promotions of research form the cornerstone of AST's activities. Our membership represents all walks of life in rural to metropolitan communities.

Embracing the diversity of our group, AST seeks to provide an open forum for the exchange of ideas.

At the very core of AST's "parent choice" philosophy is the belief that no single program or treatment will benefit all individuals with autism.

Furthermore, the recommendation of what is "best" or "most effective" for a person with autism should be determined by those people directly involved - the individual with autism, to the extent possible, and the parents or family members.

AST works in partnership with the Autism Society of Washington and the Autism Society of America in providing information and education to help in the process of awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder.