Launched in 2011, FEAT of Louisville’s Autism Friendly Business Initiative (AFBI) brings together local businesses committed to creating more inclusive and welcoming spaces for individuals with autism and other neurodiverse conditions. With autism now affecting 1 in 31 children in the U.S., AFBI helps close gaps in services by training businesses to better support, understand, and serve individuals and families impacted by autism. Through awareness, acceptance, and practical tools, AFBI empowers organizations to build environments where everyone feels valued and supported.
A collaboration between Carriage House Preschool and FEAT of Louisville, this specialized preschool supports children ages 2–6 with autism or related disorders through individualized instruction and a 2:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Each child’s growth plan is developed with teachers, behavior therapists, and parents to nurture communication, social, and learning skills.
Vision: To ensure every young child in our region has access to an affordable, comprehensive early intervention program.
Contact Lori Wilson, Executive Director | Loriwilson@carriagehouseps.org
An innovative approach to learning to swim for children with autism ages 3 and up, FEAT’s Get Your FEAT Wet swim program has shared this life saving skill with hundreds of children in our community since 2008. Collaborating with Home of the Innocents, All About Kids and Aqua Tots. FEAT has developed & financed a very specialized swim program, which includes a behavior therapist.
Children with autism have deficits that prevent them from learning to swim in typical settings including hypotonia, sensory integration dysfunction and gross motor skill impairments. This combination of traits/deficits has proven fatal for many children with autism (drowning is a leading cause of death for individuals with ASD); therefore, it’s imperative that they be taught to swim utilizing methods specifically designed for children with autism. We look forward to expanding this program to more locations in the future.
Contact our Partner Locations to inquire about scheduling swim lessons:
Since 2007, FEAT of Louisville has collaborated with Dreams with Wings to offer our community, Dreams in Motion, a summer camp for children ages 7-21 with autism. It is the only 8 week educational, therapeutic and recreational summer camp for children and teens with autism in the Louisville Metro area, surrounding counties, and Southern Indiana.
FEAT’s long term goal is to continue to increase the number of youth campers with autism that participate in this unique summer camp experience. Each year we move forward in incremental steps when adding additional slots or age groups to the camp.
The high school years are a time of heightened social and emotional development and can be difficult even for those without ASD. The Best Buddies Kentucky program breaks through social barriers at an important time in a young person’s life. Teenagers and young adults with autism from FEAT of Louisville will be matched with typical peers from Trinity High School, UofL, and Bellarmine University via a very detailed application process. Through these relationships, one-on-one friendships between high school students and students with ASD are formed.
Contact information:
Emily Brunderman
Director, Expansion Development
3044 Bardstown Road #1274
Louisville, KY 40205
502.536.7876
All Abilities Bootcamp is an inclusive fitness program designed to support individuals of all abilities in building strength, confidence, and independence through movement. Our classes are thoughtfully structured to meet participants where they are, with adaptive exercises, supportive coaches, and a welcoming environment that prioritizes safety, encouragement, and growth.
Whether your athlete is new to fitness or looking to develop social, physical, and emotional skills, All Abilities Bootcamp provides a space where everyone is empowered to move, succeed, and belong.
Project Lifesaver is an internationally recognized search and rescue program used by public safety agencies to help locate individuals who are at risk of wandering. The program supports children and adults with cognitive conditions like autism, who may become lost or disoriented.
The mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide a fast, effective response in emergency situations, helping to reduce risk, prevent injury, and most importantly, save lives through timely location and recovery.
FEAT Watch is a safety and communication tool designed to support individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities during emergencies or high-stress situations. Through features like live video streaming, GPS location sharing, real-time texting, language translation, and health profiles, FEAT Watch helps families and first responders communicate faster and respond more effectively, ensuring individuals can be located, understood, and supported when it matters most through a collaborative partnership with first responders dedicated to assisting and protecting individuals with developmental disabilities.
Text FEAT Watch to 502.267.0503 to learn more.
