LEGACY FOUNDER

Autism Alliance SoCal, formerly Foothill Autism Alliance (FAA), was founded in March 1998 by Bob Schneider and his wife, Yudi Bennett, when their son Noah, who is on the autism spectrum, was barely 3 years of age. Recognizing the need for parents to have effective interventions, services and supports throughout the lifetime of their child, Bob formed FAA with a core group of parents. Bob was dedicated to FAA becoming a centralized hub of information, resources and networking for parents with children with autism, working in partnership with Patricia Herrera, M.S. who at that time was the Director of Family Support Services at Lanterman Regional Center. In 2002, with support from Lanterman Regional Center, Bob launched the “Autism Power Pak” a one-of-a-kind resource directory specific to autism vetted by Parent for Parents with children on the autism spectrum.

Bob led by example. He embraced the mission of FAA, stayed true and focused, and never diverted from providing education, information and support to families of children with autism. He touched so many families and professionals. The impact of his devotion in supporting others and linking people with information is difficult to quantify, except that it is enormous.

Bob passed away in 2003, but his dream lives on.

https://lanterman.org/uploads/viewpoint/Fall2003.pdf