OAR will accept applications for the 2017 OAR Scholarship Program through Friday, May 5 at 11:59 pm EST. Applicants can apply to either the Schwallie Family Scholarship or the Lisa Hussman Scholarship. Each offers $3,000 scholarships to students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (DSM-IV or 5 criteria) pursuing full-time post-secondary, undergraduate education in the United…
As the parent of a student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you sit down each year with a group of professionals to craft the Individual Education Program (IEP), a document that focuses on the goals you would like your child to achieve over the next year. But it could and should do more than that.…
Jessica writes about the strategies she uses in the classroom and with her own son to ensure all children have access to the understanding and sensory tools they need to succeed. This post was originally published on her blog Changed for Good and is re-posted with permission. I recently read a discussion post on a sensory…
OAR will accept applications for the 2017 OAR Scholarship Program through Friday, May 5 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Applicants can apply to either the Schwallie Family Scholarship or the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship. Each offers $3,000 scholarships to students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (DSM-IV or 5 criteria) pursuing full-time, post-secondary, undergraduate education or vocational-technical…
Sexuality is a central component of socialization for all people and can play a major role in an individual’s overall self-identity and quality of life. Unfortunately, the discussion and promotion of this area of adaptive and social functioning in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often avoided. A number of myths regarding sexuality and…
These recommendations from OAR’s “A Guide to Safety” can help you steer your adolescent in a healthy and safe direction. Luke is a teen with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Like any other teenager, dating and relationships are something he thinks about a lot. Like many of his peers with ASD, he doesn’t understand the unspoken…
OAR developed the Kit for Kids program to help teach elementary and middle school students to better understand and learn to accept their peers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The kit consists of a lesson plan, peer education booklet, classroom poster, and how-to tips for parents and teachers. We sat down with Dr. Jonathan Campbell…
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…
