In 2012, OAR introduced a character named Nick in the book, “What’s Up With Nick?”, the main component of its Kit for Kids. Since then, through the book, Nick has visited tens of thousands of families, classrooms, Scout troops, and other places acting as the face of autism for all the kids who may not…
Delaware families and teachers will be especially thankful this holiday season, as the Delaware General Assembly has consigned half a million dollars to pilot a statewide initiative expanding clinical and educational resources for individuals with autism. Last month, Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed into law Senate Bill #93, establishing an Interagency Committee on Autism (ICA)…
Sometimes, families need a space to openly discuss with and learn from other families facing similar challenges. The OAR blog addresses this need by serving as a forum for self-advocates, parents, educators, and medical professionals to share information about autism. The blog is a collection of stories and personal insights that share resources and serve…
By Robert L. Koegel, Lynn Kern Koegel, and Kelsey Oliver In spite of the noted importance of having programs for developing socialization in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), many children with ASD receive no support while they are in school, most notably during times like recess and lunch when there should be many opportunities…
When individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their family members, and educational professionals think about the term “inclusion” and its meaning, different ideas, expectations, and concerns often result. For some, “inclusion” is synonymous with fully inclusive education alongside peers throughout the day; others may think of “inclusion” as participation with peers in some educational activities…
Although there are strong support organizations and programs for college students with autism, such as the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Project (GRASP) and Drexel University’s program for students (DASP), professors do not necessarily have access to similar resources for teaching students with autism. Yet they are responsible for accommodating a student’s academic plan and…
The Harvard Review of Psychiatry recently highlighted a significant upsurge in the number of people with autism spectrum disorders attending college in its summaries of the latest findings in ASD research. As a result of that upsurge, more and more colleges and universities are offering programs that support college students with autism. Even so, academic…
How can awareness drive acceptance and the fullest opportunity for increased quality of life for those affected by autism? This April, we invite you to turn awareness into acceptance by looking through these steps to see which would be a good fit for you and your community. Taken from several past articles written for Autism…
When asked by a playmate, “What is wrong with you?” my daughter simply replied: “There is nothing wrong with me… I am autistic.” As her mother, I see part of my job as helping to ensure that Kitty is a part of the class (not only in elementary school but throughout her life). Although there…
Though I am a 2013 recipient of a Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship, I’ve never really liked school. The school environment never really felt safe to me due to the large numbers of people around, lots of loud noises and bright lights in the building, and too many social interactions that confused me and made me…
