One of the most overlooked resources for providing effective interventions to your autistic child is already in your home: You. When you use interventions in your everyday parenting routines, you play an active role in your child’s development while building your confidence. Training parents or other caregivers to lead their children’s interventions is an effective…
Suicide is a leading cause of early death for autistic individuals. Researchers do not know whether an autistic adult is more likely to consider suicide than a non-autistic adult or if suicidal thoughts and behaviors are connected to a person’s social activity. Autistic adults seeking help for mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts, report feeling…
The number of autistic Asian Americans has been rising rapidly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the rate of autism among Asian-American children is higher than other racial groups. Although the reasons for this increase are unclear, it is well-known that Asian American caregivers of autistic children face multiple barriers in accessing…
Meeting your colleagues The adjustment period from one job to another or from college to the workplace can be challenging due partly to the changes in social dynamics. You are going from one set of peers, friends, and colleagues to another and learning about new people with different personalities, communication preferences, and work styles. One…
Navigating the process of obtaining services for your autistic child can be challenging, especially when waiting lists for essential therapies like speech therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, and occupational therapy can be lengthy. During this interim period, parents play a crucial role in fostering their child’s development and wellbeing. Engaging with your child in…
Finishing high school and college can be an exciting developmental milestone, but it can also be stressful. Transition programming and/or employment can be a scary next step in the uncertain path towards adulthood and the increasing amount of independence that comes with it for young autistic adults. Reduced support following secondary school can exacerbate already…
The Department of Labor announced at the end of September that its Office of Disability Employment Policy has chosen “Access to Good Jobs for All” as the theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which was observed in October. NDEAM annually celebrates the contributions of the nation’s disabled workers and showcases supportive, inclusive policies…
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…
