The Forum

The Forum is a leading think tank in the United States dedicated to addressing the complex challenges associated with special needs children, including those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Founded in 1999 and recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Forum has significantly influenced the field of special needs through its innovative research, educational programs, and policy advocacy. The Forum focuses on environmental and nutritional strategies for safe pregnancies and healthy children. It began as a division of the Northwest Autism Foundation (NWAF), which had successfully validated the concept that autism is partly due to environmental factors and, therefore, could be prevented or treated. This foundational understanding has guided The Forum’s mission and initiatives. The Forum's think tanks revealed that autism is part of a broader public health issue, including increasing problem pregnancies and chronic disorders among infants and young children. Research indicated that environmental factors were primary causes of these issues. Despite the development of effective means for guiding women through toxin avoidance and proper nutrition, these practices were underutilized by medical practitioners and largely unknown to the public. The Forum became an independent foundation with a mission to publicize the science of healthy pregnancies and infants. Its first project, Preconception-to-Infancy (P2i), offers a detailed, evidence-based regimen for expectant mothers, which they can follow independently or with a trained medical practitioner.