The transition to college is a difficult time for any student, but being an unidentified autistic person made this transition exponentially harder. I started uncovering my identity as an autistic person during my freshman year of college, a process that came with a lot of shame, confusion, grief, and unanswered questions. Transitioning to college comes…
RUN FOR AUTISM team member Mackenzie OConnell summed up one of the aims of the 2025 United Airlines New York City half team well: “Let’s run to celebrate neurodiversity.” It’ll be her first half marathon when she takes on the race with 42 teammates in March. “I am not much of a runner and never…
Many discussions about autistic adolescents and young adults focus on skill development. Caregivers and professionals play an important role in teaching skills like executive functioning and social interaction to promote independence. These skills, taught throughout childhood, are crucial for becoming a successful adult, so why is the transition to adulthood often so challenging? For autistic…
An estimated 61.8 million people, or one in 127, around the world were autistic in 2021, according to new data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 recently published in The Lancet. As noted on the Learning Disability Today website, this estimate is substantially higher than the 2019 estimate of one in 271. While…
OAR is thrilled to celebrate acceptance and creativity through our fifth annual Youth Art Contest. Autism is a spectrum, and so is creativity. So, young artists, dream big and let your creativity shine! We can’t wait to see the fantastic artwork you’ll create. This contest is open to autistic children and their siblings, classmates, and…
Join OAR to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with the seventh annual Active for Autism 5K and Kids Dash this April! This fitness and fundraising event spreads autism awareness and acceptance in our communities and raises money for OAR’s Changing Lives Fund, which directly supports research and programs. Your registration fee and money raised will directly…
As we celebrate the beginning of 2025, OAR is looking ahead to the ambitious goals it has set for this year, including goals for Autism Acceptance Month. Join us to promote autism awareness and acceptance in your community and across the country! Goal 1: Provide informational resources to families of autistic individuals. OAR’s collection of…
Everyone needs a sense of belonging. Research shows a strong link between feeling like you belong and having a high quality of life. For many people, being among coworkers, family members, classmates, teammates, neighbors, or fellow congregants can bring a sense of community and acceptance. However, being part of these groups can make autistics feel…
In October 2024, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for five applied autism research grants and one autism resource grant. These new research grants, totaling $288,930, bring OAR’s total research funding to $5.3 million since 2002. This article is the second of the previews to be featured in The OARacle this year. Menopause is a natural part of aging…
Support groups are generally peer-led spaces where people can gather together in a group setting to provide and receive support from others. Groups can vary in their focus, but may include an emphasis on providing emotional support, accountability, or skill-building. Support groups differ from group therapy in their scope and focus, although some support groups…
