What Is the Autism Society of Oregon Website?

Updated

The Autism Society of Oregon (ASO) is a state-level nonprofit that provides resources, education, advocacy, and support for autistic people and their families in Oregon. Its site, autismsocietyoregon.org, is an information and referral hub—not a clinic, diagnostic service, or medical provider. It is most useful if you live in Oregon and want to find local resources, understand autism basics, connect with support groups, or get involved with events and volunteering.

What the Organization Says It Does

ASO describes itself as Oregon's leading autism organization and states it is "committed to these Core Principles." Its stated purpose is providing resources, education, advocacy, and support for individuals and families living with autism.

The site also frames autism as common and diverse, citing two statistics on its homepage:

  • 1 in 31 children are diagnosed with autism by age 8
  • About 2.21% of the U.S. population is estimated to be autistic

It notes that autism presents along a diverse spectrum, so you may already know autistic people without realizing it.

Main Sections of the Site

The navigation is organized around a few clear paths, including audience-specific entry points on the homepage:

Section What you'll find
What is Autism? Characteristics, causes, facts & statistics, and a "Newly Diagnosed" starting point
Resources Resource Directory, guides and tips on autism topics, a sensory booklet, an ASO cookbook, a service animals resource guide, a glossary of terms and acronyms, and video resources
Oregon-specific resources Autism Resources in Oregon, plus Spanish-language materials (Recursos de autismo en Oregón)
Disability services guides Documents on understanding developmental disability services in Oregon for both children and adults
Support Support groups, financial aid/scholarships, and respite-style options listed as "Take a Break on ASO" and "Take a Breather on ASO"
Get involved Donate and Volunteer
News & Events Autism Walks, an event calendar, the ASO Blog, and a newsletter archive

The homepage also offers three audience-specific entry links: resources for an autistic child, information on autism diagnosis, and resources for an autistic adult.

Who It's For

  • Families and caregivers in Oregon looking for local services, support groups, or guidance after a new diagnosis
  • Autistic adults, including those seeking diagnosis information—the site has a dedicated "Adult Seeking Diagnosis" page
  • Anyone wanting to understand autism basics, including characteristics, causes, and common myths
  • Spanish-speaking families, via the "En Espanol" resources and Oregon-specific Spanish materials
  • People who want to give time or money, through volunteering and donations

What It Is Not

ASO is a state affiliate-style society, not a medical or diagnostic provider. The site points you toward information about diagnosis rather than performing evaluations. If you need a formal diagnosis or clinical care, treat the site as a starting point for finding Oregon providers and service systems—not as the service itself.

Practical Notes

  • Start with your situation, not the menu. The homepage's three "I am looking for…" links (child, diagnosis, adult) route you faster than browsing the full navigation.
  • Oregon focus matters. The general autism information applies broadly, but the resource directory, disability services guides, and support groups are Oregon-specific.
  • Check the events and blog for current activity. Autism Walks, the event calendar, and the newsletter archive are where time-sensitive information lives.
  • Pricing and access terms aren't stated on the pages reviewed here. Don't assume resources, events, or support groups are free—check the individual page or contact ASO directly.