“I am the proud mom of a son who is on the Spectrum.” Erinn Hannigan, along with 56 RUN FOR AUTISM athletes, will compete at the 2025 Walt Disney World ® Marathon weekend this January, representing OAR. Her son, Tommy, was diagnosed with autism at age 12. “Without the research that was available, we would…
Conversations continue to grow about college readiness for autistic students. It is a conversation I am eager to have because higher education choices have never been more widely available. One thing we often do not discuss is that what challenges come with college readiness apply to all learners. College students are underprepared for the college…
As we approach the end of another impactful year and OAR’s 23rd anniversary, we want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together and share some exciting plans for next year. Your support continues to drive OAR’s mission to tackle the real challenges autistic individuals face every day. Whether you’re a donor,…
The United States is facing a supply-demand problem, as noted by Education Next in a 2024 article. In May 2024, the Report on the Condition of Education found that a record number of students with disabilities were enrolled in an educational institution. The number of U.S. students ages 3 to 21 served under the Individuals…
OAR’s Hire Autism Program is ending the year on a high note, onboarding a new navigator cohort. Please join us in welcoming our latest volunteers, who will help autistic job seekers build their job search materials, skills, and confidence. The eight new navigators are Tricia O’Brien, Thomas Goodrich, Cody Keenan, Cali Clarke, Marcus Leef, Meret…
OAR’s new Operation Autism Grant Program supports military families with autistic children by providing grants to establish or enhance family support groups. OAR will award three to six grants on a rolling basis through February 21, 2025. At least 50% of the group’s participants must have autism-specific needs, and sessions must be free for military…
OAR invites researchers to submit a letter of intent for the 2025 Applied Research Competition starting December 6. Letters of intent will be accepted through Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET. All applicants should first review the 2025 request for application (RFA). Through this program, OAR aims to fund studies that will: Expand…
OAR is delighted to announce five new research grants through the 2024 Applied Research Competition. These new grants total $288,930, bringing OAR’s all-time total research funding to $5.3 million since 2002. OAR received 184 letters of intent and invited 65 applicants to submit full proposals. From the full proposal submissions, OAR’s reviewers selected 21 to…
OAR’s fall 2024 webinar series focused on employment topics, such as vocational training, mental health, soft skills, and inclusion in the workplace, and barriers to employment like housing and transportation. Additionally, OAR hosted a panel webinar to foster conversation about neuroinclusion in the workplace and best HR practices. If you weren’t able to make it…
