Alternatives for People with Autism, Inc. ("Alternatives") is governed by a Board of Directors who, because we despised and feared an otherwise hopeless future for Minnesotans with autism, banded together with a covenant to create the first real living options in Minnesota for people severely afflicted with the devastating developmental disability known as autism.Beginning informally in 1978 as a serious study group, Alternatives was formally incorporated in 1980 as a non-profit, tax-exempt (501{c}{3}) educational and charitable organization.Emerging as an effective task force, our mission has been joined and enhanced by other community citizens of dedication and skill, many of whom have generously participated in various critical activities of our organization.Our imperative, we feel, is that of demonstrating to all the feasibility of making real, for the first time, the options necessary for people severely disabled by autism to realize the dignity of opportunity and growth.