Bridgeway House | Support for Children and Families with Autism and Related Disabilities

News & Events

Bridgeway House works with a variety of medical professionals, teachers, consultants, and specialists to bring together enriching programs and services for people with autism and their families. There's always something new happening at Bridgeway House. Check back here often for the latest information.

Current Newsletter (PDF)

Autism and Asperger's Syndrome Study

Are you interested in current research in autism? Here is an opportunity to participate with your child or teen in a research study about Asperger’s Syndrome going on now at the University of Oregon, conducted by Mary Ann Winter-Messiers of UO Project PASS (Preparing Autism Specialists for Schools), Tasha Oswald, and Brandon Gibson. Your child or teen is eligible for this study if he or she has Asperger’s Syndrome and is between the ages of 8 and 17 years old.

This is a study on responses to social situations and perspective-taking in children and teens with Asperger’s Syndrome. If you decide to have your child or teen participate, he or she will answer some questions about which classes and hobbies he or she likes. Then your child or teen** will be asked to watch a couple of slideshows and some videos of people doing simple activities, like cleaning a room. We are interested in what cues children pay attention to while watching a person perform simple activities. Your child will also look at some brief stories about social situations and answer a few questions about them. Next, he or she will do a perspective-taking task on a computer in which your child or teen will report the real or imagined perspective they take on a display of blocks. We will also give your child a brief cognitive abilities test. None of the information obtained from your child during these activities will ever be used for anything other than our research, and your child’s name will not be recorded on any of his or her results.

** While your child or teen is participating in the study, we will give you a few questionnaires to fill out about his or her social behavior and cognitive abilities.

The study will be held at the University of Oregon, Psychology Department in Straub Hall 485 and it will last about one to two hours. Your child or teen will be videotaped for the duration of the session. To ensure your child or teen’s total confidentiality, his or her name will not be recorded on any of the data. Instead, a numerical code will be recorded on all of his or her data including the videotape. Your child or teen will work with Mary Ann, Tasha, and trained research assistants, and will receive $15.00 for his or her participation in this hour and a half to two hour study.

If you are interested in receiving further information or your child would like to participate in the study, please contact Mary Ann at (541) 868-6193 or email Mary Ann at messiers@uoregon.edu. She would be happy to answer any questions you have!

Cinco de Mayo Autism Fundraiser

On Saturday night May 3rd the local community came out in a big way to support Bridgeway House. The second annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Auction at the Stadium Club at Autzen Stadium, was an incredible success and raised thousands to support the programs at Bridgeway House. At the event the Bernard Rimland award was presented and this year’s recipients were Cindy Herr and Marianne Winter-Messier co-directors of Project PASS which works to train teachers to work with children impacted by autism. Each year the Bernard Rimland award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to helping people impacted by autism.

“It is touching to see so many people open their hearts and be so generous in this community.” According to Doug Richards, president of the board, “This support makes such a huge difference to the families we serve and we are grateful for the support we receive. We were very concerned in light of the troubling economic news which seems so pervasive, but we have some great support in our community ”

Looking ahead to the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Auction on May 2nd, 2009, organizers are excited and have some new surprises in store. Until then Bridgeway will continue to work to address the needs of children and families impacted by autism in Lane County.

Attendees of the 2008 Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser may order copies of pictures from the fundraiser.

Bridgeway House theater production: "Wonderland"

The Regiser-Guard has posted a short video about Wonderland - View it here!

Bridgeway House in the news!

Opening act from The Register-Guard

A review of "The Mitten"

Parent Autism Advocacy Group

Meets Thursday, March 13th at 5:30 pm at Cesar Chavez School.

Click here for more information.

DAN! Practitioners at Bridgeway House coming in late March

DATE TBD March

Brown bag lunch, 1pm: Open discussion with Dr. Alejandro Contreras

Open parent discussion group on biological treatments for autism that are safe and inexpensive treatments to use at home. This is great opportunity to talk with Dr. Alejandro Contreras FREE of charge about many of the biological options available. Please bring your lunch and join us! For more information, please call Bridgeway House at 541-345-0805.

Dr. Alejandro Contreras, N.D.
Dr. Contreras follows the DAN! protocol and also has a practice in Oregon City. He practices general medicine with a focus on clinical nutrition, allergy, immunology and autism. He is accepting new patients. Please call Patricia Wigney for more informaiton or to schedule an appointment at 541-345-0805.

Dr. John Green
Dr. Green is a DAN! practicioner from Oregon City who provides biological treatments for children with autism and other related disabilities. He is accepting new patients. Please call Patricia Wigney for more informaiton or to schedule an appointment at 541-345-0805.

Become a Bridgeway House Member

Please show your support for Bridgway House by becoming a member today! A family membership is $35 for one year.. Your help is truly appreciated.

You can feel good about your membership considering Bridgeway House has no paid staff; your membership fees go directly to help Bridgeway House with its mission.

BH members receive:

> A color copy of Bridgeway's newsletter each month mailed to you

> Discounts on classes as Bridgeway House

> Priority registration for limited classes

> Advanced notice for upcoming events

You also receive the confidence of knowing that all your money stays
right here to help children in the Eugene/Springfield area.

Autism Awareness Magnets and T-Shirts

Bridgeway House has “Autism Awareness” car magnets for sale. These car magnets are 5 1/2” by 3 1/2” and are $5.00 per magnet.

T-Shirts with the BWH logo are $15. We have child sizes left and now offer ladies scoop-neck t's. If you would like us to mail your magnets or t-shirts to you, please include $1.00 S&H fee per item. Show your support for autism awareness and help benefit Bridgeway House.

For more information call Bridgeway House at 541-345-0805.

Local Healthfood Stores Carrying GF/CF Foods!

Sundance Natural Foods

Choices Health Foods store located on East 28th Street in Eugene is now carrying a wide supply of GF/CF foods.They offer a different selection than other stores as well as Kinnikinnick breads.

Fred Meyer stores are also carrying many different types of GF/CF mixes, including Bob’s Red Mill, Gluten Free Pantry and The Cravings Place made in Bend, Oregon.

Ray's Food Markets are carrying Tinky'ada Rice Pastas and Gluten Free Pantry mixes. Market of Choice stores also carry many different types of GF/CF foods.

For more information call Bridgeway House at 541-345-0805.

Advertise with Bridgeway House

Looking for a great way to support Bridgeway House? Advertise your busines in the Bridgeway House newsletter! It's a great low-cost option to boost awareness of your business in the community, and it also helps a great cause at the same time. We distribute our newsletters once a month to a large list of recipients.

For more information call Bridgeway House at 541-345-0805.

Children's Clothing Exchange

Often, children with ASD have special requirements for their clothing. Do you have clothing your child has outgrown? Bring it to the Bridgeway House Children's Clothing Exchange and exchange clothing with other families. Date and time TBA.

For more information call Bridgeway House at 541-345-0805.

Kid's Night In!

Drop off your children at Bridgeway House for movies, fun and activities every third Friday of the month from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Go enjoy a night out!

The cost is $10 per child. Please bring healthy snacks for all to share.

For more information call Bridgeway House at 541-345-0805.

Previous Newsletters

April 2008 (PDF)

March 2008 (PDF)

February 2008 (PDF)

September 2007 (PDF)