After job hunting for several months and with the encouragement of his support network, Matt Ghaffari reached out to OAR’s Hire Autism program for assistance with his job search. Claudia Zacharias, a Hire Autism navigator, worked with Ghaffari over several months, providing guidance, resources, and feedback. Ghaffari incorporated her advice and feedback and made use…
Employment is key to creating a fulfilling and healthy adult life. Yet for many autistic people, finding and keeping a job can seem next to impossible. The November Resource Spotlight focuses on resources that offer suggestions and information for employers as well as guidance for autistic job seekers and employees. The emphasis is on a…
How does an employer make the workplace a healthy environment for an autistic employee? This is a great question! It recognizes that the accommodations mindset has yet to yield much progress for those with non-physical (also called invisible) disabilities, including neurodivergence. Instead, it asks about accommodations that can be incorporated into the workplace itself, rather…
Research has shown that autistic adults have poorer quality-of-life outcomes than their neurotypical peers, including lower employment rates and educational achievements. A key way to improve outcomes for this growing population is to implement research-informed transition planning, which addresses core impairments in skills needed for autonomous and independent living, including self-knowledge, self-determination, and self-regulation. In…
The Benefits of a Professional Network A professional relationship involves two or more people collaborating to achieve and support a common cause, mission, goal, company, or organization. It is often more formal than those outside the workplace. Some examples include connecting with one’s direct supervisor, co-workers, clients, and mentors. Building these valuable relationships is known…
“Are you sure he has autism?” The one sentence I am sure every parent to a child with Level-1 Autism is sick of hearing. From the dentist to his speech therapy evaluation, my son has been observed and his diagnosis has been questioned. In those times, it makes me want to ask, “Would you like…
“Love on the Spectrum U.S.” won two Emmys at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in September. Northern Pictures, the Australian company that produces both the Australian and U.S. shows, won for outstanding casting for a reality program and another for outstanding director for a reality program. Three cast members of the U.S. show’s…
OAR is excited to welcome the newest Hire Autism navigators, Kurt Campanile, Kuljit Singh, Jacqueline Olsen, Jennifer Yamout, and Biljana Simakoska. They are all from the New Jersey office of Clyde & Co., a global law firm committed to pro bono and social impact volunteering opportunities. As navigators, these dedicated individuals will support autistic job…
RUN FOR AUTISM runner Joseph Carrasquillo completed a personal challenge in September, running a 100-mile race to raise awareness of autism on behalf of his son, Jacob, who was diagnosed with autism nine years ago. “Jacob had a wonderful neuropsychologist at the time who brought it to our attention that he had tremendous potential but…
OAR recently awarded $78,918 to support 17 projects led by the fall 2024 winners of the Peer Education Grant program. In total, OAR has awarded $107,497 for 27 projects in 2024. With these grants, OAR has helped educate over 237,000 children through the Kit for Kids program since 2012. Launched in 2012, the program supports projects that promote…
