In November, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for six new applied autism research studies in 2021. These new grants, totaling $240,000, bring OAR’s total research funding to more than $4.4 million since 2002. This study is supported by a gift from the Lisa Higgins Hussman Foundation. This is the fourth of six previews to…
In 2020, daily living as we knew it, such as work, school, and volunteer activities, either came to a standstill or changed substantially. Gradually, we have adapted, mostly by making use of virtual platforms and tools. A survey done by the Atlanta Federal Reserve and the University of Chicago found that the number of people…
In middle school and high school, adolescents are asked to navigate increasingly complex social waters. Learning how to adapt to these new conditions and build strong, healthy relationships can be an overwhelming task for autistic teens, but it is an important part of ensuring good mental health. Bullying is defined as “unwanted, aggressive behavior among…
I was diagnosed with autism at age 15, shortly after, I enrolled in an honors college program full-time. From a young age, I felt as if I was missing something. I wasn’t like many of my peers. I analyzed ideas differently. It was as if I was created with a different processing unit. Similarly, my…
The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) became law at the beginning of 2021. What does this mean for military families and, more specifically, for the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)? The most important takeaway is that the Act standardizes the EFMP. This means that EFMP families should find it easier to get services after…
Our volunteer board members bring diverse backgrounds, experiences, family relationships, and expertise to our organization. In December, we welcomed two new members to this leadership group and asked them why they decided to contribute their time and talent to OAR. “My inspiration to get involved with OAR and the autism community is personal. A close…
OAR is currently accepting applications for the 2021 OAR Scholarship Program. Applicants can apply to either the Schwallie Family Scholarship or the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship until Monday, May 3, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Each offers $3,000 scholarships to students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (DSM-IV/5 criteria) pursuing full-time, post-secondary, undergraduate education in the United…
OAR is currently accepting applications for the 2021 Applied Research Competition. Since 2002, OAR has funded over 285 research studies, bringing its funding total to more than $4.2 million. OAR expects to build on this success in 2021, continuing its support of research studies that offer meaningful outcomes to autistic individuals and their families. OAR…
In January, OAR welcomed its first 2021 Hire Autism navigator cohort with a plan to hold additional training sessions quarterly throughout the year. The sign-up for the next navigator training in April was so strong and enthusiastic that the Hire Autism team decided to host an impromptu session last month rather than keep this new…
April Autism Awareness Month is the perfect time to foster peer acceptance and inclusion in schools. Widespread misunderstanding of autism is a common issue in schools across the country, which can, in turn, lead to a host of larger discriminatory issues like social isolation and even bullying. Level Up the Lesson Autism Tuned In is an…
