Autreats were founded in 1996, with nearly 60 participants from all across the autism spectrum. The initial pilot program was held in a remote spot in New York, secluded from towns to avoid sensory overload.
The group at this first Autreat was as diverse as the autism spectrum itself. They ranged from non-speaking adults who used letter boards to communicate, to an urban planner who worked at the Los Angeles International Airport, to famous photographer Dan Asher, who chronicled the early days of punk and reggae in New York City.