The Hire Autism Active for Autism 5k team, comprised of volunteers, supporters, and staff, came together in April to raise $3,804 for the Changing Lives Fund. OAR would like to extend a special thanks to team members Claudia Zacharias, Jeff Crawford, Brigit Parratore, Kayla Birdsall, Caitlin Schaefer, Amanda Rioux, Forrest Short, Alana Thomas, Julie Beeker,…
“I hope the film shows Dads like me that it doesn’t have to be quite so lonely, and actually talking about ‘it’ can only help you and your child.” – Richard Peake, a father featured in the film June is the month we celebrate fathers and their contributions to their families. An Australian documentary, “DAD,”…
As we shake off the last chills of winter and welcome the warm sunshine, it’s the perfect time to talk about something close to my heart: the power of getting active, especially for our autistic loved ones. Did you know that a bit of movement can do wonders? In this blog post, we’ll explore how…
April is a time of year to celebrate autism acceptance. During April, you’ll see people and businesses openly supporting autism and advocating for the autism community. However, what happens to these advocacy efforts once April is over? It is important for us to promote autism acceptance after April. Besides, autistic people don’t magically turn into…
Maybe you’re looking for experience in your desired career field. Or maybe your parents said it’s time for you to pay for some things on your own. Or maybe you just want to make some money over the summer to open a savings account. Whatever the reason, searching for a job or internship can be…
As a parent of an autistic child, you know it’s important to include them in much of the planning process for vacations. After all, helping with the planning allows them to get used to the idea of being away from home in a new destination. Skipping this step, and creating surprises, may result in an…
The fifth annual Active for Autism 5K & Kids Dash was another huge success, raising over $50,000 for OAR’s Changing Lives Fund. This year, 389 virtual and in-person participants, representing three countries and 28 states plus Washington D.C., dedicated their miles to autism research. OAR is grateful to all the participants, fundraisers, donors, and sponsors who helped to make this event an outstanding success! Check…
In late March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the autism prevalence is higher that it was in 2018. Currently, one in 36 (2.8%) children are identified with autism spectrum disorder, based on 2020 data from 11 communities in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. The previous 2018 estimate…
OAR welcomed six autistic students, including five rising seniors, from the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) to learn about OAR’s programs and resources in March. The AIM program, founded in 2008, supports autistic students and helps them thrive in five domains: academic, social, emotional, vocational, and independent living. AIM’s support includes: A yearly summer college…
Ten navigators and two regional ambassadors joined the Hire Autism team in April. By helping to refine resumes, cover letters, and interview skills, navigators play a vital role in equipping job seekers with the tools necessary to prepare them for the job search and meet their employment goals. Ambassadors use their personal experience and talents…
