Individuals with an autism spectrum disorder or other cognitive disability could potentially face any number of emergency situations in which they will come in contact with police, EMTs, firefighters, or other first responders. Many of them have not had any training in the signs, symptoms, and special handling of these individuals. As such, parents need…
Love cannot always overcome every obstacle that we meet. If anyone knows that, it is parents of children with autism. But love conquers those obstacles even when it cannot make them disappear. How? Through the power of parents like the fathers we profile in this Salute and the hundreds of fathers like them facing the…
Toilet training one’s child is a nearly universal challenge for parents, but it is a particularly distressing ordeal for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While most typically developing children stop having daytime toileting accidents between the ages of 2 and 4, most individuals with ASD are either delayed in their acquisition of…
In 2014, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for seven new applied autism research studies in 2015. This additional $210,000 in research grants brings the total funds awarded by OAR to over $3.3 million since its first grants in January 2003. This is the fourth of seven previews that will be featured in The OARacle…
In 2014, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for seven new applied autism research studies in 2015. This additional $210,000 in research grants brings the total funds awarded by OAR to over $3.3 million since its first grants in January 2003. This is the third of seven previews that will be featured in The OARacle…
Ten years ago, I joined the Autistic self-advocacy movement because the state of our national conversation on autism was terrible. At the time, few opportunities existed for Autistic advocates to have a voice in discussions about research, policy, and service provision relevant to our lives. Many autism organizations refused to so much as acknowledge the…
In 2014, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for seven new applied autism research studies in 2015. This additional $210,000 in research grants brings the total funds awarded by OAR to over $3.3 million since its first grants in January 2003. This is the second of seven previews that will be featured in The OARacle…
In my coaching practice, I work with clients who are bright, skilled, and college educated. Yet many struggle to find and maintain employment. Some individuals have no idea of what kind of job to pursue. Others have an inaccurate picture of what certain occupations involve and/or their abilities. Still others find themselves with college degrees…
Keeping our children safe is a top priority and it is even a greater concern when a child has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some people with ASD are prone to wander away from their caregivers, which can make keeping them safe even more difficult. A 2011 national survey done by Dr.…
In August 2014, OAR released a set of three online Autism Sibling Support resources for parents, teens, and children. The goal was to shine a light on an important but often overlooked demographic: brothers and sisters of individuals with autism. OAR recognized that these future advocates, potential caretakers, and lifelong friends require more support and…
