Substance use disorder is a widespread problem that affects one in 10 Americans, including autistic adults. While there is evidence-based programming for adults who engage in unhealthy substance use, those programs are not designed for autistic people. In their 2023 OAR-funded study, ADAPT: Development of a Substance Use Disorder Prevention Class for Autistic Adults, Laura…
A new patient walks into my office, looking like a lot of my patients do: exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure whether I’m going to be just another doctor who doesn’t believe them. They’ve already seen a dozen specialists. Some have said “it’s just anxiety.” Others didn’t even say that much. They’ve been told their test results…
A huge industry exists to address the needs, activities, and preferences of older adults (65+) and those approaching older age (50+), a rapidly growing segment of our population. Autistic adults are among this growing population and, like everyone else, have emerging needs as they enter their 50s, 60s, and above. Some needs are like those…
When I joined the RUN FOR AUTISM team for the 2023 Bank of America Chicago marathon, I did not expect to be able to raise nearly $4,000 in less than three weeks, exceeding my initial fundraising goal by $2,500. This was only made possible by sharing my fundraising page with friends and family members and sharing…
A recent analysis of 338,415 health records found that males are being diagnosed with autism earlier in life while the age for females has remained static, and many are not diagnosed until adulthood. In 2024, 44% of boys were diagnosed before age 5 while only 34% of girls were diagnosed before age 5. Epic Research—the…
Chip In Fore Autism – September 20 This fall OAR is bringing our community together again for an evening of celebration, connection, and purpose at Chip In Fore Autism. The event takes place on Saturday, September 20, at Topgolf National Harbor, beginning at 5 p.m. More than just a fundraiser, Chip In Fore Autism is…
Problem behavior, such as self-injury, aggression, and disruptive behavior, which many autistic children demonstrate, can strain family relationships and result in challenges at school and other places. If not addressed, it can lower quality of life, limit the autistic child’s access to education and community activities and raise parental stress. In a two-year OAR-funded study,…
My journey with OAR’s RUN FOR AUTISM program started in 2022. I had signed up for the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon to fundraise for a charity since I had missed getting an entry through the lottery. After some research, I discovered the amazing RUN FOR AUTISM community! Of course, there were dozens of…
A clinical report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in June recommends that pediatricians evaluate children as early as possible for global developmental delays/intellectual disabilities. Genetic disorders account for up to 50% of diagnoses of developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. Diagnosing the causes as early as possible provide multiple benefits, the report’s writers note,…
OAR is excited to announce the most recent recipients of the Spring 2025 Synchrony Tech Scholarship. This scholarship supports autistic adults pursuing technology-related courses or training to advance their careers. Congratulations to Sienne Rodwell, Joshua Keller, Vance Belleci, and Mark Alexandrov! Scholarship award amounts depend on the technology-related course or program, but can range from…
