If you have weighed the pros and cons of disclosing your disability in order to obtain approved accommodations through your college’s disability office, please refer to the general steps in the process below. There may be differences in the steps at your college, but these should reflect the general or common practices. Sample scripts are…
Disability Disclosure Many Autistic individuals are provided information during their time in high school or elsewhere that encourages them to disclose their disability across college, employment, and/or social realms. However, making the decision regarding whether to disclose your disability is a deeply personal one and a choice that is yours alone. Data suggests that only…
With multiple high-profile stories of negative interactions between autistic individuals and law enforcement, coupled with the fact that autism impacts individuals throughout their lives, there has been increasing attention to the need for better understanding of how to prevent adverse outcomes. Preliminary research has demonstrated that autistic individuals deal with the criminal justice system frequently,…
OAR is pleased to announce that 63 students received scholarships for 2022, bringing the scholarship total to $1,522,500 provided to 503 autistic students since 2007. This year, 783 students applied for one of three OAR scholarships, the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship, the Schwallie Family Scholarship, and the Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color. All…
Navigating academic responsibilities and a social life in college can be overwhelming, even more so for autistic students. Seeking help can also be challenging for autistic individuals. In an OAR “first,” two 2020 OAR applied research grantees used research from their most recent study to write a new OAR guide that provides advice about how…
Like their peers, many autistic students attend college. Of the 50,000 teens on the spectrum graduating from high school annually in the United States, at least a third of them pursue higher education (Shattuck, et al., 2012; Wei, et al., 2015). However, their graduation and subsequent employment rates are substantially lower than those of neurotypical…
In the past three months, how many times have you had no choice but to use cash to make a purchase? Or tell time using an analog clock? Although you have undoubtedly made purchases, it is likely you used a card or smart device, especially if the purchases were made online. To check the time,…
OAR is delighted to announce the first winners of Synchrony Tech Career Scholarships. Unlike the existing OAR scholarships, which support autistic students pursuing college studies, these scholarships support autistic adults interested in obtaining technology-related certifications and pursuing a career in the tech sector with awards up to $5,000. Congratulations to these scholarship winners: Casey Gonzalez…
Going to college can be an exciting opportunity for students to discover new interests, live independently, and develop self-advocacy skills. All college students deserve to have a fun and fulfilling experience, and that includes those who are autistics. OAR’s Finding Your Way: A College Guide for Students on the Spectrum was created to help autistic…
Academic settings can be turbulent environments for autistic learners, especially in collegiate settings. For many, it’s their first time living away from home and being solely responsible for many small but important things, like eating in the cafeteria, using a calendar, getting from one place to the next, and setting and maintaining deadlines. There’s a…
