Everyone needs a sense of belonging. Research shows a strong link between feeling like you belong and having a high quality of life. For many people, being among coworkers, family members, classmates, teammates, neighbors, or fellow congregants can bring a sense of community and acceptance. However, being part of these groups can make autistics feel…
In October 2024, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for five applied autism research grants and one autism resource grant. These new research grants, totaling $288,930, bring OAR’s total research funding to $5.3 million since 2002. This article is the second of the previews to be featured in The OARacle this year. Menopause is a natural part of aging…
Support groups are generally peer-led spaces where people can gather together in a group setting to provide and receive support from others. Groups can vary in their focus, but may include an emphasis on providing emotional support, accountability, or skill-building. Support groups differ from group therapy in their scope and focus, although some support groups…
My name is Brendan Hughes. After being perplexed by so many lifelong mysteries, I was recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the age of 35. I was appointed to the Board of Directors for OAR with the goal of raising awareness and proceeds for autism. In publishing this blog post, I seek to…
As the new year begins, it is the perfect time to re-evaluate your goals, reflect upon your current situation, and plan for your future. Sometimes, situations and circumstances, including your job search and employment goals, might change. This article provides you with tips for refreshing and strengthening your job search for the new year. Reinvigorate…
James Meadows is set to take on his third marathon when he crosses the start line of the 2025 Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday, January 19th, with the RUN FOR AUTISM team. All three marathons he’s run have been with the RUN FOR AUTISM – Houston team. James found OAR while looking for a charity…
April 16th, 2021, was one of the best days of my life. That was the day my then 13-year-old brother, Daniel, told me he loved me for the first time. Although that might not mean much for some people, it was the proudest moment I could have as a big sister. Daniel was diagnosed with…
When Whitney* reached out to Assiya Ashraf-Miller, a Hire Autism navigator, it had been several years since she had looked for a new job. Whitney was happy to find the experience insightful and aligned with the current expectations of the job market. When Ashraf-Miller heard from Whitney about her professional achievements and her published writing,…
This fall, we launched an outreach campaign to continue OAR’s goal of supporting the autism community using our Kit for Kids peer education program. We initially set out to teach 30,000 students, and we are pleased to share that we surpassed that target, reaching a total of 41,643 students in grades K-8. Through the Kit…
OAR’s new Self-Advocate Advisory Council (SAAC) will help OAR identify specific needs and quality-of-life factors for the autistic community that OAR can address. This addition of lived experiences is critical to supporting the autistic community. “OAR’s challenge, and that of the autism community as a whole, is learning how best to engage and support autistic…
