Any family’s trip to Disney World during the holidays is likely to require a lot of preparation. For a family with three children, two of whom have autism, it is extra challenging. This is how the mom in the family prepared: She packed a white pop-up Christmas tree, a spiral cone-like shape that assembled easily,…
Michael has profound autism, he is very “rain-man-ish.” In our family’s birth order, I am third and he is fourth of six. Michael and I have a very special relationship. When someone calls his group home asking for Michael, he knows it is usually our mother or me. He typically wants to talk for the…
Tucker James Collins (TJC): When I was a child, my mother told me that she thought I had Asperger’s Syndrome. She framed this in terms of me being socially awkward and intelligent. My siblings complained about me being “weird”, and no adults in my family dissuaded them from using this label. I received no services,…
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…
In 2015, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for eight new applied autism research studies in 2016. These new grants, totaling $229,827, bring OAR’s total research funding to over $3.5 million since 2002. This is the final preview of the eight featured in The OARacle this year. Individuals without intellectual disability comprise the fastest growing…
OAR invites graduate students to submit research proposals for its annual Graduate Research Grant Program. Since the program was established in 2003, OAR has awarded over $208,000 in grants to fund 116 graduate research studies. Last year, OAR made grants to 11 students with grant awards totaling $19,387. OAR hopes to build on this success in 2017,…
Many adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) do not easily learn how to use social strategies to interact with their peers and make friends. This can cause them to miss out on friendships and peer relationships during their middle and high school years. Even worse, some may be ostracized and/or bullied. The effects may be…
The Somerset Hills Learning Institute, a New Jersey non-profit program for students with autism, recently launched its Center for Career Advancement with the aim of helping its adult students transition into potential careers. By hosting the Center on Three Meadows Farm, which the Institute recently purchased, students will have the opportunity to learn job skills…
If you are a young adult on the autism spectrum or the parent of one, you have likely heard about the “cliff.” It’s that moment when you are out of high school, not interested in college, but you know you can’t play video games all day every day anymore. All of a sudden, you know…
Lately, I have been reading The Loving Push by Drs. Debra Moore and Temple Grandin. As the father of a young man (age 26) with Asperger’s Syndrome, I wish this book had existed when my son was much younger. As parents, my wife and I have worked hard to move our son forward throughout his…
