The academic year has just begun and schools have begun re-opening for in-person learning, but the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant has prompted some districts to continue offering remote learning as an option. In collaboration with Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA), a public cyber charter school, OAR has expanded its peer education program so that it can be…
In April 2021, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized a board-designated grant to fund a two-year project implementing that program at Empire. Led by Noor Syed, PhD, BCBA-D, assistant professor of applied behavior analysis and director of the Center for Autism Inclusivity, “Creating an Inclusive Institution through Multitiered Systems of Support” seeks to expand inclusivity and…
Academic supports are never one-size-fits all. Teachers can best support autistic students when they have a range of strategies to choose from. As a general principle, interventions that provide predictability, support, and empowerment, while also reducing anxiety and building on strengths, are effective. When applied in the classroom, such interventions enable autistic students to best…
July is halfway over, and with the summer flying by, many students are starting to think about the fall semester. For autistic students, campus housing can present a number of unique challenges. From navigating shared spaces to dealing with sensory mismatches to understanding the social demands of dorm life, the experience of living on campus…
In May, the Department of Education released a “question-and-answer” document providing guidance to help students, families, schools, and the public understand the rights students have that ensure their access to education as schools reopen this fall. As noted on JD Supra, a website for lawyers, the information, while not “groundbreaking,” does clearly explain what schools…
OAR has expanded its commitment to peer education by awarding grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to support projects that promote autism awareness and acceptance. When non-autistic children understand autism, they develop better relationships with their autistic peers. OAR has helped educate more than 145,000 children through the Kit for Kids Peer Education Program since 2012 and…
September: Back to School Webinars Supporting Paraprofessionals to Implement Functional Communication Training to Address Challenging Behavior: Practical Guidelines for Training Paraprofessionals September 16, 2021 at 2:00 PM EDT Presented by Virginia Walker, PhD, BCBA-D, and Megan Carpenter, M.Ed. Dr. Walker and Ms. Carpenter will offer practical guidelines to supervise and train paraprofessionals on how to…
Is your student fleeing the classroom, hiding under desks or in the bathroom, or becoming verbally or physically aggressive? This might be a trauma response known as “fight, flight, or freeze,” which is triggered by a sense of danger due to a current or past traumatic experience. That trauma may not be known to you…
Growing up as a young autistic child can bring many challenges. However, there are many new tools and technologies available to help young autistic children with their development. My autistic cousins, Lucas (9) and Ethan (6), have used technology in many ways to help develop their ability to communicate and learn. These technologies are used…
The autism assessment process can feel overwhelming to many families — particularly families whose children are just entering the special education system. Families are likely familiar with an initial diagnostic assessment, but some may be surprised to learn that assessment is not a one-time event. In fact, assessments continue throughout your child’s time in school.…
