When I was in high school, it was always marked by the same ritual: Students would buy red, pink, and/or white carnations at lunchtime all through the previous week, and the flowers were presented to their starry-eyed recipients in homeroom on Valentine’s Day morning. Year after year, I watched other girls receive two, three, or…
In 2013, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for seven new applied autism research studies in 2014. This additional $210,000 in research grants will bring the total funds awarded by OAR to over $3 million since its first grants in January 2003. Starting with this review, we will offer summaries of the newly funded research…
Difficulty with social skills and trouble developing and maintaining meaningful relationships are known to be a central issue for those on the autism spectrum. Romantic relationships in particular may be challenging, with the majority of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) living without a romantic partner. Despite the myth that people with ASD are less…
A wide range of educational placements are possible for students on the spectrum, because “Least Restrictive Environment” (the mandate set forth by special education law) is going to mean something different for each individual. But what are the other factors that influence where a student receives his or her instruction? Two researchers at the University…
A wide range of educational placements are possible for students on the spectrum, because “Least Restrictive Environment” (the mandate set forth by special education law) is going to mean something different for each individual. But what are the other factors that influence where a student receives his or her instruction? Two researchers at the University…
Earlier this week, one writer for The Guardian described the mixed emotions she felt (“Autistic adults deserve the care – and recognition – we all do,” 25 Dec 2013) when attending the graduation ceremony for her younger sister, who has an autism spectrum disorder. The writer, a typically developing young woman, uses her sister’s story as…
Social studies can be a challenging subject for students of all grade levels and abilities. This is especially true for students with autism, who often struggle to master skills, such as sequencing, that are required to successfully navigate academic material. In an effort to make social studies content more accessible, a group of researchers from…
That children with autism are bullied is not news to most parents of a child with autism. In fact, a number of research studies have already illuminated the strong correlation between autism and bullying, including a highly publicized report (Sterzing et al., 2012) that was supported in part by OAR funding. OAR offers a review…
While early intervention is widely regarded as a critical developmental support for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which model provides the greatest benefit is a subject of debate. A team of researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which included OAR Scientific Council member, Kara Hume, Ph.D., recently published research…
